What began as a series of shows at a bar in Melbourne has steadfastly become one of the crown jewels of Australia’s summer festival season.

With the promise of the lineup being announced very very soon – tomorrow on Wednesday the 14th to be exact – It’s got us thinking about which names might fit the bill, especially after Chet Faker’s announcement for the festival this morning as well as hosts A.B Original. Laneway has a bit of a reputation for picking emerging artists before they make the big time, so here’s hoping that some of these names meet the same fortune.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC7ii3Ir-no

Aussie psychedelic rock outfit, Melbourne natives, King Gizz’ for short. These guys are renowned for their bat-shit crazy live performances and their unique brand of trippy guitar vibes. You can catch them the month before at their ‘Return of Gizzfest’ tour, but fuck it; it would be a shame not to hope and pray that they score a slot on the Laneway lineup as well.

Rainbow Chan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1fQ6QH6jUA

Rainbow Chan is someone who is on just about everyone’s radar at the moment. The artist is currently in post-album release mode after she dropped Spacings via Solo Arts Records at the end of last month, we know we aren’t the only Australian punters keen to see her live. Laneway could be the perfect chance for her to start the year strong following this year’s Spacings tour, and remember what we said about Laneway being decent at picking breakout artists?

White Lung

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiXMm9gZl5s

White Lung is the Canadian punk rock band which you should already know about by now. On the heels of their Paradise album release, a decidedly softer rendition of their usual hard-edge, reminiscent of everyone from the Sex Pistols to Perfect Pussy sound. This three-piece deserves a chance to come on over Down Under, can we get them at Laneway pronto, please?

SAFIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5JZM9lvgXo

SAFIA have been carving themselves some space in the Australian electronica scene as of late, with the release of their Debut album Internal dropping earlier this year, they’ve definitely come yards since dropping their first single back in 2013. We think it’s fair to say that this three-piece might be snagging a spot on the Laneway roster.

NAO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sisOw0Y822U&list=PLxKHVMqMZqUSCp_-Sj2yNiQ3_cI6slNQe

Here’s one that’s been all but confirmed – Nao seemingly leaked her spot at Laneway in an interview earlier this year. The British singer-songwriter who’s unique fusion of soul, electronica and R&B has been described by Nao herself as ‘wonky funk.’ Real name Neo Jessica Joshua, she is on the back of her debut album For All We Know, which came out earlier this year, and is without a doubt another solid pick by Laneway which has a knack for championing solo female artists.

Yumi Zouma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZusfpGiIkQ

Yumi Zouma is an aesthetic bunch of dreamy-sounding New Zealanders, headed by front-woman vocalist, Christie Simpson. The four-piece has definitely been putting out serious vibes as of late, and to boot they’ve been playing all over the shop, apart from on our shores that is. With a new album to show us, what more reason do they need to get over here and start 2017 the right way?

Half Moon Run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azV0Y7v6wsg

Here’s another Canadian band we might see at Laneway come January! Half Moon Run have already announced that they will be playing three shows on the east coast of Australia at the start of next year to perform their latest album Sun Leads Me. With these dates lining up suspiciously close to the Laneway tour dates, could the indie-rock group be down to do us one better and join next year’s Laneway troupe?