KONGOS Press Photo - Epic Records
VH1 “You Oughta Know” has demonstrated great eyes and ears for alt-pop crossover efforts this year (as should be expected of a program named after Alanis Morissette’s signature single), and those acts will be spotlighted–along with the entire 2014 YOK class–at the program’s second annual concert on November 13.
Over the course of 2014, Tove Lo, Echosmith, KONGOS, American Authors and Vance Joy have all reaped the benefits of amplified stardom as their songs successfully jumped from alternative radio to the pop and hot adult contemporary formats. Now names common to any conversation about buzzworthy, acclaimed music, their presence in the 2014 VH1 “You Oughta Know” class speaks favorably of the program’s ability to identify acts that can simultaneously be “hip” and successful.
“Our You Oughta Know franchise has an excellent track record of identifying the best new artists in music before they hit it big,” says VH1’s Tom Calderone. “For example, Lorde performed at our first-ever ‘You Oughta Know’ concert last year before she won Song Of The Year at the Grammy Awards three months later. Who knows how many future legends we have in this year’s line-up of 11 amazing artists? I’m so incredibly proud that VH1 is presenting what’s sure to be THE live concert of the year on television.”
Other 2014 YOK honorees–and thus confirmed performers for the 11/13 show at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom–include A Great Big World, Aloe Blacc, Bleachers, CHVRCHES, Mary Lambert and Sam Smith.
Nicole Richie will host the two-hour event, which airs at 9PM ET on the 13th.