On the 16th of July it is finally time for the kick-off of Melt Festival in Germany. On thursday evening a pre-party takes place and from friday to sunday artists from all around the world visit the place to perform at the main festival. Are you going, but haven’t had time to look into all the wonderful acts that will be performing? No worries, if you are into some great pop music in all shapes and colors, check out A Bit of Pop Music’s guide to Melt Festival. I selected all the acts I think you should check out!

Aurora (Sunday 22:00-23:00, Intro Tent)
The 19-years-old Aurora is an electronic pop artist from Norway. She just started to gain buzz around the web since last year and her intriguing single ‘Runaway’ was featured on many blogs and websites. She recently dropped the new single ‘Running With The Wolves‘ that could be her first major chart hit as it is catchy and powerful and her quirky image does set her apart from everybody else out there in the crowded world of Scandinavian electro pop. Check out if you like: Robyn, Oh Land and Ellie Goulding.

Gorgon City (Thursday 1:45-3:15, Intro Tent)
Gorgon City is a British garage duo that consists of producers Kye “Foamo” Gibbon and Matt “RackNRuin” Robson-Scott. They released a vocal house album called Sirens in 2014, containing UK top 10 hits ‘Ready For Your Love’ with MNEK and ‘Here For You’ with Laura Welsh. They will play a DJ set at the pre party of Melt 2015 and of course we will hear some of their catchy and uplifting hits, like ‘Imagination’ (feat. Katy Menditta) and ‘Unmissable’ feat. Zak Abel. Without a doubt a great way to start your party weekend! Check out if you like: Disclosure, Route 94 and Kiesza.

Jamie T (Sunday 20:00-21:00 Mainstage)
If you fancy a bit of indie rock with hip hop influences, Jamie Alexander Treays, better known by his stage name Jamie T, is for you. The British singer-songwriter who has been active for quite some years in the music industry, released his debut album Panic Prevention in 2007 and the second one followed in 2009. After five years of silence he returned with his best record yet, called Carry On The Grudge. The BBC Radio 1 darling convinced me with the single ‘Rabbit Hole’, which is a perfect mix of rock, pop and a touch of urban. It sure will be a swinging moment in his set! Check out if you like: Peace, The Courteeners and The Maccabees.

Kwabs (Saturday 23:30-0:15 Intro Tent)
When you are visiting a festival that lasts for three long days, you need to take your moments to relax as well. Why not do this while listening to the soothing, soulful vocals of Kwabs? The British musician’s single ‘Walk’ might sound familiar to soccer fans among the Melt visitors, as it was used in the EA game FIFA 15. Listening to his warm voice singing the beautiful neo-soul ballads ‘Pray For Love’ and ‘Perfect Ruin’ is the way to take some rest after a day of dancing in the sun. Check out if you like: Sam Smith, Sohn and Lianne La Havas.

La Roux (Friday 0:30-1:30 Intro Tent)
A lot of you will probably remember La Roux from their hit singles ‘Bulletproof’, ‘In For The Kill’ and ‘I’m Not Your Toy’, released in 2009. Their in your face electronic pop even earned them a Grammy award. After five years of recording, creative differences and problems with labels, Elly Jackson finally released Lost in Paradise, the second record, in 2014. It peaked high in many end of year lists last december and it’s easy to hear why. The productions are more subtle and organic, her voice matured nicely and the melodies are pop at its finest. Perfect for a friday night dance, right? Check out if you like: Robyn, Little Boots and AlunaGeorge.

London Grammar (Friday 23:30-0:30 Mainstage)
2013 was a big year for the boys and girl of London Grammar. Hannah, Dan and Dominic rose to fame with their debut album If You Wait that contained the international sleeper hit ‘Strong’. We haven’t heard new material yet after that, but still they are playing a set on Melt Festival and I’m thankful for that, because this weekend wouldn’t be complete without the laidback vibes and melancholic lyrics of this trio. A personal highlight will definitely be ‘Wasting My Young Years’, which is an absolutely fantastic and moving track. Hannah has one of the most interesting and captivating voices in pop these days so grab the opportunity to hear them live. Check out if you like: Florence + the Machine, Sam Smith and Lykke Li.

Kylie Minogue (Saturday 0:15-1:30 Mainstage)
This woman does not really need any introduction anymore. The Australian pop star sold millions of records world wide and already has three decades of hits behind her. I bet a lot of you grew up with her most famous songs like ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’, ‘Slow’ and ‘Spinning Around’. Kylie is still as active as a pop star can be. In 2014 she released the album Kiss Me Once and in 2015 she collaborated with fellow Melt performer Giorgio Moroder on the single ‘Right Here, Right Now’. I can tell you from experience that a Kylie show is big, bold and camp! It might be a bit different then your usual festival artist, but I promise you, you don’t want to miss this!

Giorgio Moroder (Saturday 23:15-0:10)
Giorgio Moroder performs on stage just before Kylie Minogue, with whom he had UK top 10 hit ‘Right Here, Right Now’ earlier this year. The legendary producer who brought Donna Summer the game changing single ‘I Feel Love’ and lots of her major hits, also worked with acts like Blondie, Freddie Mercury and Daft Punk. The Italian DJ will definitely play a lot of stuff from his new album as well, that contains his hit ‘Déjà Vu’ with Sia and a songs with Charli XCX, Kelis and even Britney Spears. Don’t miss out if you want to dance to swinging pop from the 70s and 80s till now!

Santigold (Thursday 0:30-1:30 Intro Tent)
It’s been a long time since we heard something from Santigold, so a festival gig with some fresh material would be great. She plays the pre-party and I’m sure her electronic beats and infectious melodies will get the crowd properly going. Her second album Master of My Makebelieve was already released in 2012 and featured the international hitsingle ‘Disparate Youth’, a brilliantly produced mix of electro and R&B put into a super catchy melody. I am sure a performance by this multi talent will be entertaining to say the least. Check out if you like: M.I.A., Kelis and Solange.

Seinabo Sey (Sunday 19:00-20:00 Intro Tent)
The name Seinabo Sey might not directly ring a bell, but I am quite sure a lot of you have heard at least one of her songs. Her outstanding and unique single ‘Younger’, that could be described as electronic soul, gained quite some recognition internationally and even became a chart hit when Norwegian producer Kygo remixed it. Seinabo grew up in Stockholm and her parents are from Sweden and Gambia. She released two EP’s so far, which she decicated to her mother (For Madeleine) and father (For Maudo). Expect big soulful vocals and great variety between thick beats and emotional ballads. Check out if you like: Lianne La Havas, MNEK and Emeli Sandé.

Shura (Friday 20:30-21:15 Gemini Stage)
Shura has a Russian mother and British father and grew up in Manchester. She started her music career collaborating with producer Hiatus, but decided she wanted to take matters in her own hands after a while. This might be the best decision she ever made, because the five songs she released so far are flawless. She started to attract attention on the web with the atmospheric and emotional ‘Touch’ and this year she followed this up with the sensual ‘2Shy’ and the slightly more upbeat ‘White Light’. She produces her own electronic pop that flirts with the 90s R&B that Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson released. Retro romantics in contemporary productions! Check out if you like: Jessie Ware, BANKS and The Weeknd.

Tove Lo (Friday 19:00-20:00 Mainstage)
Tove Lo has become one of the biggest musical export products of Sweden over the past year. Her single ‘Stay High (Habits)’ took its sweet time, but became a huge hit around the world, even reaching the highest heights of the American Billboard charts. She released her debut album Queen of the Clouds later and launched another hit single called ‘Talking Body’. Her instant pop melodies with slightly electronic productions and lyrics about sex, drugs and broken hearts strike a chord with a lot of young people around the world. Her live performances usually are quite the party from start to finish and she might get a little cheeky whenever feels like it. Needless to say the Melt crowd is going to enjoy this. Check out if you like: Charli XCX, Sia and and Lorde.

Years & Years (Friday 21:30-22:30 Gemini Stage)
The BBC was completely right when they put Years & Years forward as ‘The Sound of 2015’. Olly, Emre and Mikey managed to make a huge impression internationally with the single ‘King’. Olly’s sweet and vulnerable vocals matched perfectly with the soaring synthpop. Last week they finally released their debut album Communion and their new single ‘Shine’ already climbed to the highest parts of the charts in the UK. Although Olly’s vocals are not the strongest you have ever heard, live they are definitely a must see, thanks to his charm and contagious enthusiasm. I assure you, all you want to do is dance along with him and you will! Check out if you like: Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne and Kiesza.