All the signs of summer are here: rising temps, Dodger games, and the KCRW Festival at the Hollywood Bowl. This week’s five songs are cuts from artists on our lineup, and you can see them all live under the summer stars, with KCRW DJs as your host.
Wizkid – “Piece of My Heart”
Get down to this guarded love song from swoon-worthy, Nigerian singer-songwriter Wizid… whose R&B and afrobeat stylings have led to collabs with the likes of Beyoncé(!). Watch him live with the Noize Orchestra on Sunday, June 22nd.
SiR – “Hair Down (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)”
If you need an assist in letting your hair down, Inglewood-native SiR is here to help. Sensual, provocative, and featuring LA hip-hop royalty Kendrick Lamar; this single will tickle your bad side and catch your LA-trained eye. With his Angeleno identity at the center of his music and lyricism, SiR is sure to make this night at the Bowl a special one — see you there on Sunday, July 20th.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – “Grow Wings and Fly”
Prolific psych-rock outfit King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard are back with their 27th (!!!) studio album. And it’s a biggun, complete with orchestral production. This single makes full use of the approach, with a storytelling structure that’s sonically aligned to the video’s amusing narrative, which explores personal renewal… aquatically. Catch ‘em live at the Bowl on Sunday, August 10th.
Stephen & Damian Marley – “The Traffic Jam”
We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen and Damian Marley back to the Bowl for the 23rd annual Reggae Night — a KCRW x Hollywood Bowl legacy. Speaking of legacy, prep your head for one of our favorite nights of the season (Sunday, on August 17th) with this double Marley track, featuring two sons of Bob and a beatboxed backtrack.
ASTROPICAL – “Calentita (Aries)”
Eagle-eyed readers will recall hearing ASTROPICAL’s first single “Me Pasa (Piscis),” as part of this feature back in February. Here’s what we said about that one at the time and it absolutely applies equally to “Calentita (Aries):”
This collaboration between Colombia’s Bomba Estéreo and Venezuelan group Rawayana is a sexy, summery single that will have you reaching for the tanning oil.
Discover your tropical escape right here in LA with ASTROPICAL live at the Bowl on Sunday, September 7th.