The Key Studio Sessions: XPoNential Music Festival artist Nicos Gun

Fair warning to Friday concertgoers at our XPoNential Music Festival: emerging Philly foursome Nicos Gun expects you to dance. I’d go so far as to say you don’t have a choice in the matter. Its nightclub techno-pop loops pair up with live rock ‘n roll drums and guitar in a fierce lockdown. Barney Cortez’ disco bassline starts rolling, his Prince-esque vocals start wailing. You’ll find yourself moving – it’s involuntary. The band’s slave-to-the-groove nature has kept it busy this year, building momentum from nightclub stages to the Roots Picnic to a 4^th of July afternoon gig on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. We pinned them down for a Key Studio Session back in May, after the one tour ended and before another started. Listen below to their performances of live staples “Control” and “Dirty Girl,” as well as two new tracks, “Universal Drug” and “New Explosion.” Stay tuned to The Key for some backstory – we’ll run Claire Fishkow’s interview with the band tomorrow. And practice your steps, festival attendees: Nicos Gun takes the JerseyArts.com Marina stage promptly at 6:15 p.m on Friday night