This weekend’s Echo Park Rising music festival is a rare opportunity to see dozens upon dozens of on-the-cusp artists—without having to pay a dime. The free festival spreads out over venues and spaces in Echo Park, allowing you to stroll around, stop in for a few songs here, a set there, taking in a tasting menu of burgeoning talent representing the best of the LA scene across a variety of genres.
While the best way to experience the fest might be to just follow your ears up and down the street, seeking out what sounds best (and maybe discovering your new favorite local band in the process), the idea of so many musicians playing at more than 20 different spots from Thursday to Sunday can seem a little overwhelming. To help you know where to start your game-plan, we’ve collected the artists we think are essential listening at Echo Park Rising 2016.
1. Egyptian Lover
When: Thursday at 11:20pm
Where: Echoplex
2. Emily Gold
When: Thursday at 6pm
Where: Trencher
3. Ducktails
When: Friday at 8:50pm
Where: Echo
4. KAUF
When: Friday at 8:40pm
Where: Echoplex
5. Emerson Star
When: Friday at 9:30pm
Where: Lost Room
6. Harriet Brown
When: Saturday at 9:10pm
Where: Echo
7. FROTH
When: Saturday at 7pm
Where: EPR Liberty Stage
8. Lauren Ruth Ward
When: Saturday at 8:30pm
Where: Lost Room
9. Cassandra Violet
When: Sunday at 1pm
Where: Blue Bottle Coffee
10. Chola Orange
When: Sunday at 8:30pm
Where: Lost Knight