Attention rockers: Sick New World is setting the stage for a day to remember. This is the second iteration of the one-day, alt-metal mega fest, and with headliners like Slipknot, System of a Down and Alice In Chains, it’s no surprise the event sold out minutes after tickets were released.
Before you come at us for referring to the fest as “heavy metal,” please know we understand this lineup runs the gamut of genres; shoegaze masterminds Drop Nineteens and punk-pop twin duo The Garden are just a couple of the additions that left us scratching our heads in confusion, but also heightened our excitement. SNW is a catch-all for many different rock stylists, but here are a few artists we encourage you to check out.
Zulu
This LA-born Black powerviolence quintet has been making waves within the global hardcore scene since it stepped out with its debut 2019 EP Our Day Will Come. Not only are they known for visibly having fun on stage and bumping R&B and reggae in between tracks, they never skip the chance to stand on moral ground, speak their truth and spread a message of anti-racism and POC celebration.
Have A Nice Life
If there was an essential album to listen to while experiencing existential dread, it would be Have A Nice Life’s internet-praised Deathconsciousness. Through fuzzed-out, distorted guitars and droning percussion, Connecticut duo Dan Barrett and Tim Macuga know exactly how to inject a crowd with a sense of defeat. And while this doesn’t sound like the typical hyped-up festival vibe, we promise it’ll be an experience you won’t want to skip.
Spy
We had the pleasure of seeing this Bay Area hardcore punk project at Eagle Aerie Hall earlier this year and have yet to shut up about their set. Spy’s throat-ripping tracks come in hot with disgust-filled vocals, frenzied drums and heavy riffs. Singer Peter Pawlak draws much of his energy from his political views, but despite the weight of it all, he and the band keep their sets tight and get bodies moving.
Knocked Loose
Over the years, Knocked Loose has developed a reputation of garnering a hectic reaction—nonstop moshing, crowd surfing and stage diving included. And what’s not to love about that? The band mixes hardcore elements with heavyweight metalcore breakdowns. Even if you spend the entire set avoiding taking one to the chin, it’ll still be worth seeing it through.
Slowdive
Many listeners’ first introduction to shoegaze came through Slowdive’s acclaimed 1994 album Souvlaki. Its sound is transportive, generating a sense of tranquility through looping guitars and melancholic vocals. They’ve recently released their fifth studio album Everything Is Alive last year and have since rediscovered their touring stride heading into Sick New World.
SICK NEW WORLD FESTIVAL April 27, 11 a.m., $325+. Las Vegas Festival Grounds, sicknewworldfest.com.
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