The future is loud, colorful, fearless, and already on its way to the farm. This week’s PICK26 lineup is all about artists rewriting the rules, bending genres, and pushing music somewhere new. From hip-hop with purpose to psychedelic cumbia, glitchy pop, and raw punk energy, this week’s Vanguard picks are for the curious, the adventurous, and anyone ready to discover what’s next. Plug in, press play, and meet the sounds of tomorrow.
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Meridian Brothers
The Vibe: Cumbia from Another Dimension
Eblis Álvarez is a mad scientist. Based in Bogotá, the Meridian Brothers take the traditional rhythms of Colombian Cumbia and run them through a filter of surrealism, theatrical electronics, and avant-garde humor. It’s familiar rhythmically, but sonically, it feels like it’s being beamed in from a futuristic carnival.
Why We Picked Them:
Pickathon has always championed the weirdos. We love Meridian Brothers because they prove that “traditional” music doesn’t have to be preserved in amber; it can be torn apart and rebuilt into something wild. This is going to be the set where you look at your friend and mouth, “What is happening?” while unable to stop moving your feet.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
Ana Frango Elétrico
The Vibe: The New Sound of Rio
If Marcos Valle is the history of Brazil, Ana Frango Elétrico is the future. A rising star in the Rio scene, Ana blends chamber-pop, boogie, and indie rock into a sound that is colorful, queer, and impossibly vibrant. It’s music that feels like a confetti cannon going off—lush production, catchy hooks, and a charismatic energy that has made them a critical darling worldwide.
Why We Picked Them:
We booked Ana to bring the color. Their sound is pure dopamine—a joyful, art-school energy that refuses to take itself too seriously. It fits perfectly in this “Vanguard” week because it redefines what Brazilian pop music can look like in 2026.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
Sa-Roc
The Vibe: Words as Weapons
In a world of mumble rap and vibes, Sa-Roc is a technician. She is an emcee in the classic sense—every syllable is placed with surgical precision, and every verse has a purpose. Backed by booming, golden-era production, she delivers conscious hip-hop that hits you in the chest. It’s powerful, spiritual, and incredibly commanding.
Why We Picked Them:
Pickathon has a long history of booking hip-hop artists who can control a live band environment (Digable Planets, GZA). Sa-Roc fits that lineage perfectly. We booked her because we want you to feel empowered. Her set isn’t just a performance; it’s a transfer of energy.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
mercury
The Vibe: Future Tension
This is what the internet sounds like. mercury blends glitchy hyper-pop, alternative R&B, and grunge into a sound that refuses to sit still. It’s chaotic, emotional, and completely of the moment. If you want to know what the next generation is listening to, this is it.
Why We Picked Them:
To challenge you. We don’t just book “easy” music. We booked mercury because they are pushing the boundaries of what a “song” structure can be. This set is for the sonic adventurers who want to see the blueprint of pop music being rewritten in real-time.
🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple Music
PISS
The Vibe: Pure, Unfiltered Adrenaline
Sometimes you just need to scream. PISS brings the raw, distorted, aggressive energy of the underground punk scene. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it’s not interested in being polite. This is the set where the mosh pit opens up and the room gets sweaty.
Why We Picked Them:
Catharsis. A festival is a release valve, and we need bands that let you let it all out. We booked PISS to be the shot of espresso in the middle of the weekend. It’s a reminder that Pickathon still has sharp teeth.
