Will a ski hat and goggles fit over Marshmello’s head in Park City?
That’s one of the questions that will be answered as the prolific producer and an army of star musicians descend on Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival.
Taking Oscar winner Common out of the mix and stripping away music video credits, the IMDb pages of many of the marquee performers are as scarce as the emerging talent in indie movies at the festival. To all but indie film purists, it doesn’t matter.
In recent years, U2, Sting, Carole King and 50 Cent have all hit Main Street. This year, Sundance and the scene that surrounds it will continue to cozy up to audio-only artists. Here’s The Party Report’s roundup of key musicians in the mountains.
Diplo (Performance)
DirecTV Lounge (660 Main St.)
Private Event, Sunday night, Jan. 21, 11:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.
The “random white dude who really is everywhere” — just check his globetrotting Instagram stories — returns to Park City to spin a premiere party for “Skate Kitchen,” a film starring Jaden Smith about an all-girl skateboard crew. Creative agency/media brand IHEARTCOMIX is in the mix on this collaboration with Skullcandy.
Kaskade, Post Malone, Marshmello and Steve Angello (Performances)
Ticketed Events, Park City Live (on Main St.)
Three of these guys are Vegas headliners and Coachella veterans. The fourth, Post Malone, earned second line billing on this year’s Coachella lineup, right below Beyonce.
Park City Live is a crazy intimate venue with a long history of memorable performances during Sundance, like the time the late Scott Weiland no-showed on his band, Velvet Revolver. On that night, the former Guns N’ Roses members used a committee of lead singers.
Poppy (Appearance)
Ticketed Event, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m.
The Ray
The internet cipher (part-android, part-human, yet fully signed to Diplo’s Mad Decent label) hits Park City in support of her new YouTube Red show, “I’m Poppy.” The premiere episode is an official festival selection.
Aloe Blacc (Performance)
Private Event – Saturday, Jan. 20
Silver Lake Lodge (7600 Royal St.)
“Wake Me Up” with Avicii was the smash hit that raised Blacc to another level after prior hits “The Man” and “I Need a Dollar.” Invited guests won’t need anything to get into the Grammy-nominated artist’s performance on Saturday night. It’s a party celebrating a screening of his film, “America’s Musical Journey.”
Common (Performance)
The Grey Goose Door Lounge (449 Main Street)
Private Event – Sunday Jan. 21 at 9 p.m.
I predict a line snaking down Main Street for the after-party for “Burden.” Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker and Usher are scheduled to celebrate inside before a performance by Common.
Ethan Hawke’s “Blaze” After Party (Performance)
Private Event – Sunday night, Jan. 21
Café Artois
Hawke, a Sundance mainstay, wrote and directed this film about the legend of late singer-songwriter Blaze Foley. Part of the “outlaw country” movement of the ’70s and ’80s, the film’s blurb states that Foley “stayed true to his ideals no matter how many bar fights he got in to.”
In a role reversal for Hawke, he directed his “Boyhood” and “Before Sunrise”/”Before Sunset”/”Before Midnight” director Richard Linklater in the film, thought the title role is played by Benjamin Dickey . Following the Sunday afternoon screening, the creative ensemble is expected to have a jam session at the after party.
Music Performances on the Acura Stage at Festival Village presented by Acura (Open to the Public)
Friday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m.
The Sweetheart Deal
“The Walking Dead” actress Emily Kinney and former “American Idol” contestant Paul McDonald blend their solo efforts as duo “The Sweetheart Deal.”
Saturday, Jan. 20, 6 p.m.
The Foxies
Phoenix, Arizona indie band The Foxies, led by front woman Julia Lauren mixes various influences, like Billy Idol and Blondie.
Sunday, Jan. 21, 6 p.m.
Elizabeth and the Catapult
Brooklyn-based American singer-songwriter Elizabeth Ziman
Music Lodge Live (Performances, Open to the Public)
738 Main St.
Daily, 4-6 p.m.
Over the past 14 years, this space has hosted the “hyphenates”: actors who are also musicians.
Highlights include “America’s Got Talent” finalist Evie Clair (Monday, Jan. 22) and Chaley Rose (Saturday, Jan. 20), who is best known for her role as Zoey on “Nashville.”
DJ Vice, Mel Debarge, DJ Politik and the Deux Twins at TAO Park City (Performances)
By invitation only. Friday, Jan. 19 – Sunday, Jan. 21, 11 p.m. – late
The Yard
Since the nightclub pop-up first moved off its longtime perch under Main Street last year, the dominant late-night social hub at the festival has colonized an entire block in Hollywood.
That took its relationship with Hollywood — the industry, not the zip code — to the next level. While Vice, Mel Debarge and Politik are regulars, twin sisters Brigitte and Jaimee Navarrete are the relative newbies. They’re from L.A.
Imagine Dragons’ Frontman Dan Reynolds’ “Believer” (Appearance)
Private Event – Saturday night, Jan. 20, 11:30 p.m. – late
Café Artois, 364 Main Street Park City, Utah 84060
“Believer” documents the Mormon rocker’s investigation of how the Mormon church approaches the LGBTQ community and his creation of Love Loud, a festival designed to bring awareness and fundraiser for LGBTQ youth.
Co-founder Tyler Glenn (of Neon Trees ) and director Dan Argott are expected to join. HBO has already acquired the rights to the Live Nation-produced doc. Bonus: Hans Zimmer composed the music.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are private and by invitation only. Standing out in the cold, trying to text someone inside to get you in is a real bummer. Get your RSVPs in advance, don’t be a creepy crasher and arrive respectfully. #SundancePSA.
Please send invites, new bookings and updates to the The Party Report columnist Mikey Glazer, here.
TheWrap’s Party Report at Sundance is a partnership with Acura, the presenting sponsor of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Keep up with real-time images of the scene in Park City on @SundanceParties on Instagram).
The Party Report and this writer are not affiliated with nor endorsed by the Sundance Institute or the Sundance Film Festival.