THE CHEAT SHEET

Okay, so who’s this?

Hiatus Kaiyote are a frisky and funky four-piece from Melbourne doling out transcendental slivers of blue-eyed soul. They have a seal of approval of musical monoliths like Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Beyoncé, all of whom have sampled the band in the ten years since they broke out onto the scene.

What would I know them from?

If you follow the Grammys, you might know them as the first Australian act to be nominated for one of the R&B categories, landing a nom for the Best R&B Performance award with their track “Nakamarra”. They scored a second nom in 2016 for the same award, this time at the hands of “Breathing Underwater”. If neither of those tracks ring a bell, maybe you’ve heard a cut or two from their trip-inducing third album, MoodValiant, which the band minted back in June.

Why should I see them?

Well, you aren’t allowed to bring drugs into Bluesfest ( norshouldyoube–don’tdo drugs,kids), but if you are down to explore a new plane of euphoria – one far beyond the confines of our mere human existence – they’ll happily take you there with a wondrous spate of silky strumming, kaleidoscopic basslines and angelic vocals.

When are they playing?

Hiatus Kaiyote will take Bluesfest punters on two soaring, soulful journeys through sound when they play on the Sunday (October 3rd) and Monday (October 4th).