Our Picks To See at Riptide Music Festival

The Beaches

It feels like to me that since I discovered the Canadian indie pop band The Beaches earlier this year, their trajectory has absolutely skyrocketed. Before the release of their sophomore album Blame My Ex this past October, the band had already sold out their headlining tour to close out 2023 and were already on their way to selling out additional dates in early 2024, including two shows at LA’s iconic Troubadour. With slots at a handful of North American festival dates under their belt this past summer, including Lollapalooza, The Beaches have earned themselves a dedicated fanbase, thanks to their high-spirited and dynamic live performance: the virality of their single “Blame Brett” didn’t hurt, either. 

With 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, I’d count on their set, which I’m assuming will be quite early in the day, will pull a larger audience than the festival bookers prepared for. If you’re looking for the opportunity to see The Beaches live before their inevitable rise to commercial acclaim next year, I’d suggest getting to the festival grounds early to catch their set on Saturday. – Kristin

The Black Keys

Although my last encounter with The Black Keys was at Coachella in 2011, catching their set at Riptide Festival would be a must for me. Since the monumental success of their debut album in 2010, the duo has delivered four more albums, consistently maintaining their signature blues-rock sound. What’s fascinating is their collaboration with producer Danger Mouse, which has injected a newfound adventurousness into their musical journey, expanding their sonic horizons.

Attending The Black Keys’ performance would not only be a nostalgic trip with favorites like “Tighten Up” and “Howlin for You” from their earlier repertoire but also an opportunity to delve into the richness of their more recent releases. The Riptide Festival provides a unique setting to witness the evolution of The Black Keys’ discography, and I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to soak in the energy of their live performance. Their ability to seamlessly blend the familiar with the novel makes them a band that caters to both longtime fans and those eager to discover their latest musical endeavors. – Jesse

Bleachers

In my view, Bleachers stands out as one of the most exceptional live acts today. Forget about the flashy visuals, extravagant costumes, and intricate stage designs—this band exudes the pure joy of performing together. Their music is irresistibly fun and danceable, drawing parallels to the energetic vibes of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, a major influence on lead singer and creator Jack Antonoff.

With their new album set to release on March 8th, fans attending upcoming shows can expect a preview of some fresh tracks. Whether it’s the lead single “Modern Girl” or the recently unveiled “alma mater,” featuring vocal contributions by Lana Del Rey (who knows, she might even make a surprise appearance—given their history of being special guests at each other’s past festival performances). It’s evident that Bleachers is at the peak of their strength as a band, with “Modern Girl” playfully referencing band members Evan Smith and Mikey Freedom Hart. Missing a Bleachers performance is not an option; it’s a guaranteed good time. – Jesse

little image

I saw little image for the first time by accident, they were on tour with Bad Suns and were the first of two supporting acts. I was immediately drawn not only by their music, but by their engaging presence onstage, especially since they were performing at a pretty huge venue and to a crowd the most likely had never heard of them.

This year, they put out their second full-length album SELF TITLED, a project that feels carefully perfect and collected. With songs that make me think of the early and later works of Twenty One Pilots, while at the same time evoking everything that made 5 Seconds of Summer’s 2018 album Youngblood succeed, it’s an album that will hopefully gain them the attention of attendees searching for new music. Their songs feel a little timeless, in the way that they feel like they should’ve come out years ago, when in reality they’re completely new. – Javi

Misterwives

I have been aware of Misterwives’ music for several years at this point as I’m sure many of you have been as well, but their music didn’t really stick with me until hearing their 2023 album, Nosebleeds, which happens to be one of my favorite albums of the year. I had the chance to see the band perform in LA last month during their co-headlining tour with Bishop Briggs, and they certainly did not disappoint.

Lead singer Mandy Lee’s energy is palpable and contagious: despite being a quite small person, her personality and stage presence shines through and radiates like she’s the tallest person in the room. With four albums under their belt, it’s safe to say that there will be a song for everyone’s music taste, whether it’s the more recent alt. pop bangers on Nosebleeds or the soul-infused bops like “SUPERBLOOM” and “Reflections.” – Kristin

The Moss

The Moss, a Salt Lake City-based band, has quietly made its way into indie rock playlists and iconic venues around the country, so it makes sense to see them start showing up on festival lineups. The Moss have the same type of energy as acts like The Backseat Lovers or Peach Pit, that will gather a gigantic crowd no matter what, consisting of both die hard, niche fans, and bystanders that can appreciate any set that includes riveting guitars and raspy voices.

With a surf-rock EP titled Insomnia almost fresh out of the oven, I’m sure the quartet will bring exactly what a Fort Lauderdale audience expects and wants. Although originally from Utah, The Moss’s music is the kind that remind you of nature, of the beach and the better days, even more perfect for anyone traveling to the festival in hopes of escaping seasonal depression <3 – Javi