The first state houses a population of just over one million people, less than most major cities. For clarification purposes, it’s worth noting that the ratio of chickens to humans in Delaware is 200:1. As far as venues go, there are boardwalk bandstands that book cover bands and some local artists every summer; the Freeman Arts Pavilion, which books bigger names such as Brandi Carlile, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Pat Benetar in the warmer months; and smaller venues like The Rusty Rudder which feature local groups as well as country artists. The most traffic we get for a music-related event is during the Firefly Music Festival in Dover.
In my time as a born-and-raised Delawarean and a dedicated music fan, it took me 22 years to realize that DIY venues were readily available as a window into the local music scene. Spaces like The Temple and The Secret Tunnel (both located in Newark) introduced me to so many artists on campus and in the greater Delmarva area. Below are just some of the local artists I adore.
Cherry Park
Hailing from Wilmington, Cherry Park holds all the ingredients to become the next big thing in dream pop. The polished production paired with the exceptional vocals of lead singer Tori Davis drops you right into the wider indie rock genre in ways reminiscent of Soccer Mommy or Men I Trust. The group only started writing music together at the beginning of 2023, but they sound like they’ve been honing their craft for years. As stated in their Spotify bio, Cherry Park’s music simultaneously focuses on feelings of “unease, calmness, and intensity,” taking you gently by the hand and guiding you through whichever you’re feeling at the time. They’ve already played several shows at Elkton Music Hall and The Queen, with an upcoming show at The Queen on April 5. If I were you, I’d jump on the Cherry Park bandwagon before you miss it. Start by checking out their latest EP, Antidote, as well as their debut EP, Secret Garden.
Graver’s Lane
In my brief time as a DIY show attendee, I heard a lot of bands with a sound similar to Graver’s Lane. The ear-bursting, grating vocal style, the drawn out guitar solos, and the oftentimes overpowering instrumentals are something I enjoy experiencing when standing way too close to a speaker with my earplugs in, but not something I tend to listen to outside of that environment. Graver’s Lane feels different, almost refreshing, to listen to. Although I haven’t seen them live, the fact that I can resonate with their music without that added element is promising. The song that stands out to me within their discography so far is “Dreaming of Oceans.” They just released their Natural Crimson EP in January featuring three brand new songs.
Grandeur
Out of these five artists, Grandeur is the only one that I’ve seen live–at a Battle of the Bands competition during my last semester of college no less. Similar to Graver’s Lane, I wouldn’t say that Grandeur falls under the umbrella of the usual music I listen to, but something still makes me add them to my playlists. The vocal delivery by the lead singer is enough to lock my focus both in a live setting and while streaming their music through my headphones. Grandeur is known to cover artists like Lady Gaga and P!nk at their shows; if you ever get a chance to hear their cover of “Paparazzi,” it might just change your life. They released their first three songs on streaming last summer and you can catch them performing seemingly everywhere in the DE/MD area.
Alejandro Lobo
The acoustic guitar and somber tone of Alejandro Lobo’s music is immediately captivating. His voice feels like a heavy exhale and the slumping of your shoulders that follows. At just nineteen years old, Lobo’s music is already evolving from his first releases in 2021 with his most recent single, “i’m so lonely,” perfect for fans of Lizzy McAlpine or Leith Ross. He writes, composes, and produces his music at his home studio, and also enjoys running as both a cross country and track and field athlete. His discography holds plenty of room for growth and expansion, and the knowledge of a new project coming out later this year is exciting simply because of the promise held in “i’m so lonely.” Take the time to work your way through his releases so far before more new music drops!
Pleasance
Pleasance’s self-titled debut EP is a passion project by Nate Lamborn that turns the painful grief of a break up into something more tolerable. As a member of “Delawarecore” band Think Machine, Lamborn isn’t always making the acoustic, folksy music that appears on this EP. However, this sound suits his voice incredibly well. The rawness of the lyrics and the stripped back instrumentals put his vocals at the forefront, allowing you to fully lose yourself in the emotion. The future for Pleasance is unsure, but if you’re into Lamborn’s music, stream his EP and check out Think Machine if you’re craving something louder.
daybreak 