Listen Out: Our Predictions

If you're looking for 2015's predictions, you're in the wrong place. Try here.

Last year Fuzzy’s Listen Out Festival took over smoothly from their previous event, Parklife. It toured around the country with a stellar line-up including Disclosure, AlunaGeorge, Classixx and an always interesting Azealia Banks. This year it’s back again to showcase the latest in IDM (Intelligent Dance Music). The Line-up will be revealed tomorrow at 3pm but before, we’ve put together a bunch of names we think may be making the trip down-under.

EDIT: Sooo, looks like we only got 1/13 artists correct (and Zhu was already confirmed). Here's hoping these guys tour Australia soon:

ZHU

Faded has become the mainstream crossover hit of the year and it looks as if Listen Out has already booked American producer Zhu. Their video released last week, titled ‘Dance’, was sound tracked by Zhu giving some pretty strong proof that he’s going to be on that line-up.

Chances: No doubt.

La Roux

We’ve waited five long years for her second album, Trouble In Paradise, so excuse us for feeling like a visit from La Roux is compulsory. It’s likely she’ll make an Australian visit soon. The question is whether Listen Out is the right festival to flash her new songs.

Chances: There’s a suitable gap in her touring schedule for an Australian tour and she’s played Fuzzy’s previous festival, Parklife before.

Robyn & Royksopp

This Swedish trio would make dazzling headliners for the festival. They’re busy in Europe this Summer but come Listen Out, it looks as if they’re free. Their new mini-album, Do It Again, would provide a perfect soundtrack for this tightly-curated festival. When Triple J asked them about an Australian tour last month they said, “We hope so, we're planning for it”.

Chances: If we had to put our bets on one act it would be these guys.

Basement Jaxx

Fuzzy have toured Basement Jaxx and their seventh album Junto is out in August. What better way to flaunt the new tunes than to come down-under and boogie with a Springtime Aussie crowd.

Chances: Where's your head at? Ours is saying yes.

MØ

Danish pop star, MØ, did a short jaunt around the country last year, however, she is yet to play it a festival crowd here. With her debut album, Mythologies To Follow, out, she could fill a Listen Out up and comer slot easily.

Chances: She has a show in New York on 25 September. A Valium, an overnight plane ride and she'll be right as rain to be play Sydney on 27 September.

Chromeo

2011 was the last time these American funksters were in the country so a return is imminent. Their new album, White Woman, is perhaps their most accessible yet and a night time slot at Listen Out would be a huge drawcard.

Chances: Their tour schedule has room for Listen Out but they told inthemix that it looks like they’ll be returning “at the top of next year”. Looks like Falls Festival or Big Day Out may have snapped them up already.

Bag Raiders

Bag Raiders have just released a new track, Nairobi, and have worked with Fuzzy previously. Judging from that track they'll bring their marimba and grass skirts to stir the crowd into a haze should hey find themselves on the line-up.

Chances: it's certainly not the most outlandish claim we've made.

Alison Wonderland

An Aussie success story is always necessary at a homegrown festival. Having just performed a sold-out bunch of warehouse shows, Wonderland is the success story Listen Out needs. Her new EP, I Want U is due this week and is likely to further swell adoration for this fast-rising dancefloor queen.

Chances: There’s no reason why not.

Todd Terje

Whip out the coconuts, crack-open the Malibu, ladies and gentlemen, it’s album time. This wacky Norwegian encompasses everything this festival is about, left-of-centre dance music to usher in the Spring months. His latest album is packed with jubilant, tropical vibes and he would no doubt stir some groovy dancing come September.

Chances: His touring schedule currently says “Yeah, I could do that”. This would be perfect.

SAFIA

Canberra lads, SAFIA, are currently traipsing around the country on a sold-out tour, proving why they’d be a stellar book for Listen Out. The afternoon slot occupied by RUFUS last year is calling for a sunset sing-along to Listen To Blues, Listen To Soul. These guys are the local act most likely to appear on every festival bill this year a la Flume or Rufus.

Chances: Pencil it in.

Little Dragon

Maybe it’s a long shot but Swedish band Little Dragon played Parklife in 2011 so Fuzzy must have their number saved in their phone. Their new album Nabbuma Rubberband is perhaps their strongest yet and would soundtrack the twilight hours of the main stage nicely. The only problem? They have a short Australian tour booked for August.
Chances: A long shot but we can’t help but keep our fingers crossed.

Route 94

This British producer’s move from dub-step to deep house was met with open arms this year with the Jess Glynne featuring, My Love. It’s the kind of sound that dominated last year’s Listen Out and would seemingly fit like a glove on the 2014 line-up.

Chances: It’s possible. Route 94 would be a welcome international drawcard.

SBTRKT

He hasn’t been here since early 2013, so surely we’re due a return visit from the enigmatic British producer. He’s just dropped a new track with Sampha and apparently has an album on the way so Listen Out would be the perfect opportunity to test out his new music down-under.

Chances: There’s room in between a trip to the UK and Mexico. He’d be a strong player in the upper-echelons of the line-up.