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It's that time of year again... summer festival season. Practically every weekend has a jam-packed festival brimming with a healthy dose of iconic and up-and-coming artists. So What?! Music Festival is a chance for people to catch a mix of the latest and greatest in a variety of genres, including metal, rock, pop, indie rock, hip-hop, alternative, and more. The Noise is very excited to share with you 11 up-and-coming acts not to miss at 2022's So What?! Music Festival.

Maggie Lindemann

Rising star Maggie Lindemann's music hits like a sucker punch, arriving as an unexpected barrage of full-spirited optimism backed by soaring electric guitars and cutthroat lyrical delivery. The future stadium-filling artist, who is currently gearing up for her highly-anticipated and aptly-titled forthcoming album SUCKERPUNCH, is a must-see in the Texas sun!

Sophie Powers

At only 17-years-old, Sophie Powers is a bold voice that commands the stage. She understands the strains of modern girlhood and uses her experience to write unapologetic, devil-may-care anthems about the ups and downs of being yourself. Both cool and confident and unafraid of being vulnerable, Powers is the frontwoman of the future.

Moodring

Florida-based band Moodring have proven they can hang in almost any scene. From alt-metal to arena rock, shoegaze, nu-metal, and grunge, these influences have inspired the band to blend and create something eclectic and unique in the handful of songs they've released. (I highly recommend checking out their single "Disintegrate.”) The four-piece is set to release their debut album Stargazer on June 10, exploring themes of pain and loss, sex and addiction, and love and death against a carefully crafted patchwork musical backdrop.

Mothica

Dark pop artist Mothica exudes a macabre yet captivating energy that transfixes listeners like flies to a lamp. With her catchy choruses, heartbreakingly gorgeous harmonizations, and poignant lyrics, she's unafraid to share that her struggle does not define who she is and works to unite people struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues with her painfully relatable music. Her killer cover of Bring Me The Horizon's "Can You Feel My Heart" is also essential listening material.

If I Die First

Post-hardcore band If I Die First is THE supergroup of the festival. Featuring the talents of From First To Last guitarist Travis Richter, emo-trap artists Lil Lotus and Lil Zubin, producer Nedarband, the Ghostemane rhythm section of bassist Nolan Nunes and drummer Cayle Sain, this band is something special. They're keeping scene alive with their impeccable musicality, attention to detail, and face-melting screamo energy, a prime example being their joint EP, A Sure Disaster, with SeeYouSpaceCowboy.

Chloe Lilac

Chloe Lilac has been taking the indie scene by storm with her moody, gritty tracks fueled by angst and dissatisfaction. Her latest mixtape, you were good to me, is a four-track project detailing her experience with loss, lyrically hitting hard but still allowing her softness to come through. After finishing up a flawless tour supporting Pom Pom Squad, Chloe Lilac is a must-see.

Oxymorrons

New York-based genre-bending band Oxymorrons has come a long way since being called "too rock for hip-hop, too hip-hop for rock." Nevertheless, the trailblazers stayed committed to their vision. They didn't waver to this criticism and ultimately came out on top, sharing the stage with the likes of Anti-Flag, Neck Deep, and, most recently, grandson. After releasing their most creatively comprehensive EP to date, Mohaws & Durags, and crushing two national tours, the band is ready to bring The Noise (see what I did there) to So What?! Fest 2022.

glimmers

Meeting separately but all through mutual friends, the members of glimmers formed as the backing band of Atlanta artist Maggie Schneider, but what started as a backing band quickly became a family. With the melodic sounds of Mayday Parade, the personal lyrics of All Time Low, and the songwriting of Julia Michael, the band's debut EP Cluttered Heart introduced the five-piece to the world through standout singles like "Don't Tell Me" and "Not Good At Goodbyes."

siiickbrain

Caroline Miner Smith, who operates under the moniker of Siiickbrain, is an artist of multitudes. With robust vocals and bone-chilling screams, the LA native is carving a place for herself in the alt-music world with no signs of slowing down. She's spent 2022 so far releasing two thrilling singles, "Moonlight" with Kayzo and "Purge" with WILLOW, and is sure to continue to captivate listeners old and new with her magnetic energy. Her upcoming set at So What?! is the perfect precursor to her upcoming tour supporting Bring Me The Horizon in September 2022.

Heart Attack Man

Alt-punk band and meme lords Heart Attack Man, comprised of Eric Egan (vocals, guitar), Adam Paduch (drums), Ty Sickels (guitar), and Logan McNeal (bass), have spent 2022 embarking on their first headlining tour: Thoughtz & Prayerz Across North America. The confessional, in-your-face band is ready to play their crunchy tunes to a crowded Choctaw Stadium, sharing hot takes on everything from the meaningful to the mundane.

Hot Milk

Hailing from across the pond, Hot Milk is an emo power-pop band from Manchester, England that demands to be listened to. Made up of co-vocalists Jim Shaw and Han Mee, bassist Tom Paton and drummer Harry Deller, the group is a force of nature with their catchy choruses littered with angst and a passionate performance style. This passion is especially evident in their recent singles “Teenage Runaways” and “Bad Influence.”