The Pygmalion Festival - Preview

Being an organization that does nothing but show it's love towards local and original music, not much could get us more excited at Pizza FM than The Pygmalion Festival. This weekend, September 25-28, artists and performers will be taking over Champaign-Urbana this year ranging from locally to internationally. Here are some performances that our web staff are particularly excited for. CHVRCHES - Olivia Fosterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mTRvJ9fugMDon’t let the ‘v’ throw you off. Chvrches is playing this weekend at Pygmalion, and there’s a few reasons why you should check them out while they’re here. Their first album, The Bones of What You Believe, has experienced quite a bit of success and there are a few songs you should check out before seeing them on the big stage. Aside from the crowd-favorite, The Mother We Share, give a listen to Gun and Recover, both pretty high-energy sounds that induce moderate to severe amounts of dancing. Also, although its not on any album or mixtape, it is most definitely worth your while to listen to their cover of Do I Wanna Know? (which I like more than the original and is personally my favorite song of theirs, original or otherwise). Aside from their musicality, their live shows are extremely down to earth and the trio is pretty damn charming on stage. See for yourself this Saturday.Chvrches will be performing this Saturday, September 27th at 10:30 pm at the High Dive Outdoor Stage 1 in Downtown Champaign. AMERICAN FOOTBALL - Alleya Weibelhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NfnXdXpjL0American Football is known as one of Champaign-Urbana's most beloved rock bands. After becoming inactive in 2000, the band will be finally reuniting this Sunday for The Pygmalion Festival in Champaign. This group truly set and defined an almost new genre and style, based off 90's emo, for the Midwest. It is pretty rare to hear a band similar to them and not have the two compared. Come be part of the nostalgia this weekend.American Football will be performing this Sunday, September 28th at 9 pm at The Highdive Outdoor Stage 1 in Downtown Champaign.

XXYYXX - Mary Gan

Coming from in Orlando, Florida, XXYYXX, sometimes pronounced XXYX, other times referred to as “I don’t know how to say this but it's good!”, is one of the most promising electronic music producers of the past five years.

When Marcel Everett began producing at aged 15, nobody could have anticipated that the music he had been making in his bedroom would have created such a lasting impression on the indie music scene. By 17, he had released his second studio album XXYXX, an atmospheric record that lauded as a major contribution to the blossoming genre “Future Garage” characterized by gritty lo-fi sounds, distorted looped vocals, and heavy synth usage. XXYYXX’s experimental manipulation of unique samples over familiar jazz rhythms and hip hop beats creates an emotionally evocative yet head-bobbing sound. Wise beyond his years with only room to grow, XXYYXX deserves your attention.

XXYYXX will be performing this Friday, September 26th at 12:30 pm at The Canopy Club in Urbana.

 DANIEL AND THE LION - Natalya Fydyshynhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmGiWEq_zJkDaniel and the Lion is a 3-piece band hailing from Baraboo, Wisconsin. Their expressive vocals mostly accompanied by acoustic guitar and percussion produce a smooth mix of rock and country. Their most recent EP, "East", was released this September and features four new, harmonious tracks. The show this Friday at the Canopy Club is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, make sure you don't miss it!Daniel and The Lion will be performing this Friday, September 26th at 9 pm at The Canopy Club in Urbana. FERAL STATES - Vivien Buihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6GETSsA-VAFeral States is band originating from the lovely town of Urbana, Illinois, self-dubbed as "genre experimental orchestral rock." Truthfully, I'm glad I could search that up really quick because I would have quite a hard time describing their style of music. When I had the pleasure of seeing them last year at Canopy Club, I likened the musical experience to feeling my way inside a dark room (except not dangerous and very enjoyable). Their music challenges the audience to be better listeners and to explore different genres and styles. The musicianship and level of skill, as well as insane stage presence, have got me dying to see them again -- which is convenient since they're playing on Saturday at Exile on Main St. at 2PM. I'll see you there, and we will have a ton of fun wondering what is even going on.Feral States will be performing this Saturday, September 27th at 2pm at Exile on Main St in Downtown Champaign. THE SOIL & THE SUN - Dave Sheridanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkAdYrjBkZkAlong with the many other artists playing Pygmalion comes the group the Soil & the Sun. Filled with complex vocal harmonies, dancing rhythms, and an extensive instrumentation, the band creates a sound large enough to resonate through the room and every person in it. Though they bring an interesting spice to the mix in their fusion of folk and synthesized music, they add musical components typical of plenty other genres. Highlights from repeated chants and key changes of a gospel nature to rounds built on classical roots generate an intense contrast beside their modern sound. I enjoy both slow- and fast-paced tracks played alternately or even together in the same number, so for those of you looking for a new alternative sound who want some twists on the ride like me, keep an eye out for the Soil & the Sun this coming weekend.The Soil & The Sun will be performing this Sunday, September 28th at 11:45 pm at Cowboy Monkey in Downtown Champaign. WE THE ANIMALS - Mary Ganhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MySBIgcXAHw

We The Animals is a progressive rock band without any limitations. This Urbana based group, consisting of Mark Wyman, Mikael Brackett, Joe Funderbunk, and Kayla Brown, found each other in the local Champaign music scene. On their most recent recordingDanger Demo,  We The Animals have not only proven themselves to tackle on a variety of moody rhythms that creep under your skin, they also have managed to summon a power that allows their music to feel massive. Perhaps it is the sound of Brown’s smooth vocals when it bleeds through the layer of space created by the lead guitar or the gradual buildup of sound their tracks create in order to lead you into their gritty, dark, and punk-based vision that makes We The Animals stand out among their contemporaries. They know what they are doing, and they do it well.

We The Animals will be performing this Saturday, September 27th at 1:15 am at Cowboy Monkey in Downtown Champaign.

 MOTES - Lucas Aleckhttps://motes1.bandcamp.com/Returning to Pygmalion for a second year in a row, Motes will rock out Sunday evening as the festival comes to a close. The Aurora based alternative rock and blues band play several original songs along with just over two-dozen cover songs ranging from The Beatles to Daft Punk. However, it is clear that Motes’ versatility does not detract from their talent. Their 5-song EP released just over two years ago highlights the band’s roots in the blues, while their newer work is faster paced and shows more grunge. Despite their small body of work, Motes has some original, quality music. If you miss Motes this Sunday, keep an eye out for them in the future; they usually play a gig about once a week and are no strangers to Mike N Molly’s. Look out for “Honey and Glue” to close out the night’s set- the perfect song to listen to and reflect on the awesomeness that is Pygmalion.Motes will be performing this Sunday, September 28th at 10:15 pm at Memphis on Main in Downtown Champaign. MUTUAL BENEFIT - Natalya Fydyshynhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlQlokP7IjQMutual Benefit is set to perform this Sunday, and will be one dream of a show. Just thinking of Jordan Lee's mellow melodies and achy lyrics could give anyone the feels. Perfect tunes for rain or shine, his critically acclaimed LP, "Love's Crushing Diamond", is something to look forward to hearing live. If delicate, ambrosial, indie pop/folk music sounds good to you (and it should) definitely check out his show this weekend at Memphis on Main. Mutual Benefit will be performing this Sunday, September 28th at 12:15 pm at Memphis on Main in Downtown Champaign.