Five gems in the sparkling Mountain Sounds 2018 lineup

[caption id="attachment_74283" align="alignnone" width="820"] Photo by Melissa Wilson[/caption]

The era of the boutique festival is very much continuing its reign over the Australian music scene, and 2018 only promises bigger and better things. Kicking it all off on the Central Coast in February is that of MOUNTAIN SOUNDS, now entering their fifth year in the game with a lineup bigger than they've ever had before. With GANG OF YOUTHS, GROUPLOVE, HOT DUB TIME MACHINE and a mysterious secret headliner that's yet to be announced, the Mount Penang Gardens will never be the same.

But, among the heavyweights, there are a few local legends who are shining bright and it's in your best interest to familiarise yourself with them for the summer.

NINAJIRACHI

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This actual wunderkind has been on PS' radar for a while now, and all it takes is one listen to her glittering tunes to understand why. Not yet finished high school, Ninajirachi has a knack for making electronic tunes that breathe airs of purity, optimism and a hopeful summer - the perfect soundtrack for the last summer festival of 2018.

RAAVE TAPES

These Newcastle legends won't have to travel very far to get to Mountain Sounds, but a wise person would travel any distance to see this buzzing band thrash it out on stage. Their witty lyrics and soaring melodies are slowly but surely igniting their way across the country, so come February next year their inferno will be near uncontrollable.

TIA GOSTELOW

Cast your mind towards a summer sunset. Vivid hues of gold, blue and coral splash across the sky as you sink another bottle of that ice-cold Corona and your mates beside you are cracking non-stop jokes. The smile across your face has never been bigger. The soundtrack to this moment is 100% the soothing sounds of Tia Gostelow, and her set is going to be the perfect sunlight sing-a-long.

While Mountain Sounds is certainly a festival for the future, GL are by no means afraid of taking us back a few decades. Never seen apart from a thumping bassline, GL have an affinity for injecting a near-lethal dose of 80s synths into their explosive pop tunes. This is a fever you'll wanna catch, and no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to sweat it out.

ALEX THE ASTRONAUT

She's the name on everyone's lips, so it's amazing that an artist so out of this world can remain so grounded and down-to-earth. But that's the subtle beauty of Alex The Astronaut's craft. Incorporating influences of David Bowie and Courtney Barnett, her latest, 'Not Worth Hiding', is a perfect and deadpan anthem for those ostracised in our society - especially those of the LGBTQI+ community. Her voice is one we need right now, and it's going to be one you'll wanna hear live next February.

MOUNTAIN SOUNDS FESTIVAL 2018

Friday 16th to Saturday 17th February 2018

Camping available from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th February 2018

Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast, NSW

Tickets: Offical Website

FULL LINEUP

PEKING DUK

Alex The Astronaut

Ali Barter

Amy Shark

The Creases

Fisher