Youth Lagoon Laneway Festival 2014 sideshows have been announced, with the electronic music-maker playing exclusive headline shows to complement his appearance at the indie boutique festival next February.

Following on from Laneway announcing its own set of sideshows, featuring Chvrches, King Krule, and Savages, Youth Lagoon now joins the list.

Heartfelt, spiritual, and with a cherubic, limitless sound: Youth Lagoon is truly one of a kind. The music banner for Trevor Powers, the Idaho-raised native burst onto the scene back in 2010 with his wondrous, forward-thinking sound – think sweet, hazy numbers like “July” or “Cannons”.

Secret Sounds are delighted to announce the return of one of music’s most innovative minds to Australia in January – YOUTH LAGOON.

With everything from 4/4 marching drums to poetic keys and a hushed, joyous intimacy, from his bedroom in Boise’s fledgling music scene the gifted singer/songwriter offered up his early downloads for free – which were quickly pounced upon by influential music blogs, such as Pitchfork, Stereogum and many more across the globe.

Powers’ soon found himself inking a deal with revered indie Fat Possum Records, and in 2011 delivered one of the albums of the year in his outstanding debut, The Year Of Hibernation. Revealing a huge imagination in its 22-year-old creator, it was just the start.

Youth Lagoon returned in March 2013 with his highly anticipated follow-up LP, Wondrous Bughouse. Based around a central theme and possessing a more expansive sound, Powers’ recorded the disc alongside producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective). It’s a beguiling listen, bigger, bolder and even more widescope than its predecessor.

On his second record, the “dream pop architect breaks free of the bedroom tag and enters a vivid musical world,” as our Tone Deaf reviewer wrote.

“The word ‘bughouse is an old term for an insane asylum,” Powers revealed to SPIN upon the record’s release. “And one idea that kept coming to mind was of people losing their minds. A lot of the people who are deemed crazy by society have a better grasp on the world as a whole, and maybe that’s part of what drives them crazy: they latch onto something that normal people don’t realise.”

In April he hit the stage at Coachella and has played countless shows across the States, including gigs alongside Prince Rama, CocoRosie and The National.

Powers now brings the Youth Lagoon magic to Australia in January as part of the Laneway Festival 2014 lineup as well as shows in Melbourne and Sydney, presented by Secret Sounds.

Youth Lagoon Laneway Festival 2014 Sideshows

Thurs 30 Jan – Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney, NSW
Tickets available via Moshtix

Wed 5 Feb – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets available via Oztix

All tickets on sale Friday 1st  November at 10am

Also performing nationally:

Laneway 2014 Dates & Venues

Brisbane: Friday 31st January – RNA, Fortitude Valley
Melbourne: Saturday 1st February – Footscray Community Arts Centre/River’s Edge
Sydney: Sunday 2nd February – Sydney College Of The Arts, Rozelle
Adelaide: Friday 7th February – Harts Mill, Port Adelaide
Perth: Saturday 8th February – Esplanade Park and West End, Fremantle

Tickets and info at http://lanewayfestival.com/

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