From Solange’s hypnotic choreography and stage saturated with deep reds and blues, Frank Ocean’s exquisite vocals coupled with cassette tapes and split screen montages, and A Tribe Called Quest’s epic tribute to Phife Dawg and final New York show, to Nine Inch Nails ending the weekend by not just raising but pillaging our pulses—Panorama 2017 was memorably packed with superstars giving transcendent performances. But in true LADYGUNN fashion, we were not just transfixed by the superstars, we had our eyes on the superstars in the making. Armed with only a polaroid camera, we had the opportunity to catch the sets and meet up with 3 fan favorites— Kiiara, Glass Animals, and Bishop Briggs—and they dazzled us on and off the stage.
BISHOP BRIGGS
How would you describe your sound?
I would say it’s hip-hop beats with soulful melodies and very dark lyrics.
Which bands/musicians have most impacted your life personally and/or which bands/musicians have influenced your own music?
Alabama Shakes, Kanye West, Otis Redding, Janis Joplin and Twenty One Pilots, just to name a few.
Who outside of the realm of music do you love and/or has most influenced you?
It’s funny, with this question, my first thought was my family because they’re such a driving force in my life and a huge reason that I am the person I am.
Do you have any new music or music videos coming out? If so, could you tell us a little about them—concept, inspiration, etc.? Also, what is your current favorite song to perform and why?
Yes! I have new music coming out, hopefully very soon, and I have new music videos coming out, hopefully very soon too! But as far as the details, that will soon be revealed. Sorry I’m the worst!
In terms of my favorite song to perform live, that’s such a tough one… I think there will always be a special place in my heart for “River” because it’s the moment in the set where we get to release even more of our inhibitions, jump all together, and sweat through all our clothes. Nothing beats that.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
When I first started working with Mark Jackson and Ian Brendon Scott, we wrote one of our songs called “River” in our first session together. When I left, I just had a little voice memo in my phone from the session and I sat in my car and I actually cried because it was the first time I truly felt like myself in my music. It was a very peaceful moment because I had felt a lot of turmoil inside during my years in LA, seeking the right people to collaborate with, so that was definitely a highlight… And then that snowballed into this incredibly insane, amazing year, which I still can’t really believe happened.
What is your goal for the rest of 2017?
I have so many goals. I am the type of person that has goals per day, goals per week… I’m a bit of a workaholic, I’m going to be honest. My overall goal is to remain authentic, release more music, play more shows and truly give my all no matter what.
If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be?
I think if we all led with empathy, the world would be a different place.
Who were you most excited to see at Panorama?
Glass Animals! They are truly an iconic band and their live show is absolutely incredible.
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GLASS ANIMALS
(Interview given by Glass Animals drummer, Joe Seaward.)
How would you describe your sound?
I try not to describe our sound. When you are as close to the music as we all are, it’s really hard to know…it just sounds like us to me. Similarly, if you asked me to describe my character to you, I think I’d probably do a really bad job. I’d rose-tint some things and ignore others. I tend to tell people who ask me what it sounds like to listen to it. I think if you spent a day with me you’d have a better idea of my character than if I tried to explain it to you.
Which bands/musicians have most impacted your life personally and/or which bands/musicians have influenced your own music?
I think my dad has probably influenced my musical life most. He was a musician back in the day and growing up with someone so musical around definitely shaped my tastes and ideas about music very early on.
I also remember buying a record when I was 15 called We Have Sound by a guy called Tom Vek. It’s a wonderful piece of music. It’s so raw and actually very brave, it’s completely unapologetically itself. That record really changed the way I thought about music, it was the first time I felt like I’d found something that was my own. Which is a truly exciting feeling.
Do you have any new music or music videos coming out? If so, could you tell us a little about them—concept, inspiration, etc.?
We have a new video for a song called “Agnes,” yes. The video is just of Dave’s face. He’s being spun around in a centrifuge machine, which is usually used to make sure astronauts and fighter pilots can deal with the stresses of doing crazy stuff. It’s quite an amazing performance actually, the g-force makes Dave look like he ages an enormous amount, which makes the pain of what he’s singing about feel even more real. It’s definitely worth a watch.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
I don’t think I can pick one moment. There have been so many. I think finishing How To Be A Human Being was very special. It was an exhausting experience which had some quite severe self-imposed time constraints. The feeling of having done everything we had set out to do, and creating a world that we were proud of was pretty special.
There have been some amazing shows, we played a venue called Red Rocks in Denver which is beautiful and festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella. We have met amazing people, been to beautiful places. It’s been a wild ride so far. Being shortlisted for the Mercury Prize this year has also been great. That’s up there for sure.
What is your goal for the rest of 2017?
This year finishes with some more European festivals, which are always great, then we head back to North America for a big tour in September and October. There will be shows in the US, Canada, and some festivals in Mexico which we haven’t done before. We are really looking forward to it!
If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be?
God this sounds like you are expecting something really meaningful. I’m not sure I can get there for you. I just played Mario Kart with Dave. Wrong headspace.
I’d make sure the rest of the world got some good teabags, that make a strong cuppa’brew. It’s not hard. It’s just hot water with plants in. But it’s never the same away from home!
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KIIARA
How would you describe your sound?
I never know how to answer this. Pop… alien Pop from the year 2037.
Which bands/musicians have most impacted your life personally and/or which bands/musicians have influenced your own music?
Linkin Park.
Who outside of the realm of music do you love and/or has most influenced you?
Tom Cruise. I love him. whenever I’m on tour or just have days off and feel like an isolated alien, I watch all my fav Tom Cruise movies. A Few Good Men, Top Gun, Mission Impossible, Jack Reacher, Minority Report… the list goes on.
What is your current favorite song to perform and why?
My favorite song to perform is “Complicated,” a new song I did with Dimitri Vegas, Like Mike, and David Guetta. Dimitri and Mike brought me out on stage to perform during their set at Tomorrowland. That was the biggest crowd I’ve ever performed for… what was it, like 40,000 people? Such a beautiful moment. A feeling I’ll never forget.
What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Working with Linkin Park. They’re my big brothers. I spent more time with them than I’ve spent with my biological family since I’ve moved to LA. The entire Linkin Park family made my dreams come true. They introduced me to the level I’m at right now. A level that I honestly don’t feel like I deserve to be. Not only did they teach me how to perform, they taught me the importance of family and that it is possible to have that with the team you choose to surround yourself with.
What is your goal for the rest of 2017?
I’ve been locked down in the studio for the past month writing and recording. I take it day by day.
If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be?
No social media. It’s not healthy. The constant comparisons, even if it happens subconsciously. A lot of it is a false representation of life. it’s just a race…who has the best life. And I don’t believe that humans were built to withstand that many opinions at once. It’s millions upon millions of people’s thoughts. It’s like passively reading people’s minds.
Who were you most excited to see at Panorama?
I didn’t have time to see anyone perform. I woulda loved to see MGMT. Been a fan of their music for years. “Time to Pretend,” “Kids.” CLASSICS. Would listen to those on repeat. Still do.
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Photos + Story/MAEGHAN DONOHUE