While we may all be getting pumped up for Outkast and Arctic Monkeys at LouFest next weekend, it’s easy to forget that there are actually 40 bands hitting the four different stages in Forest Park. One of the best parts of LouFest’s relatively small space is that it’s easy to get from one stage to the next, allowing for effortless show-hopping, whether you want to hit up a headliner at the Forest Park Stage or lie back and discover someone totally new while cooling off at the Shade Stage. Because LouFest isn’t exactly in the Lollapalooza and Coachella leagues yet, the fest still attracts lesser-known bands and up-and-coming acts that might not otherwise get booked alongside the big names. This means that if you end up leaving Forest Park on Sunday without a new artist to listen to you, you’re probably doing it wrong. Here are seven bands you might not have heard of but are definitely worth checking out next weekend. —Cadenza Staff

Future Islands

Sat. 4:30, Bud Light Stage

Future Islands frontman Samuel Herring doesn’t sing—he lives, recreating every agonizing detail of his most intimate memories. A physical specimen, he thrusts and bobs and punches the air and beats his chest, but above all else, he strips himself to the bone, leaving nothing but a soul that’s too resilient to yield to heartbreak. Even when Herring’s lyrics devolve into abstraction, his eyes reveal emotional truths that transcend words.

This is synth-pop rendered as opera; every line is life or death. Those ever-present stakes are what elevate Future Islands above the crowded indie-pop field. Where their less-inspired peers shoot no further than the soundtracks to hipster-friendly Volkswagen commercials, Future Islands want to shake you to your core. If you let them, you’ll find tremendous empathy behind the panoramic thrust of Gerrit Welmers’ synth lines and the rubbery, soft-pedaled funk of William Cashion’s bass.

Much as the Internet tried to reduce Herring to a goofy meme following the band’s breakout performance of “Seasons (Waiting On You)” on Letterman, it’s his aching humanity that propelled the video to over 2 million views. When Future Islands takes the stage on LouFest’s first day, leave your cynicism behind. They’ll do the same for you. —Mark Matousek

Glass Animals

Sun. 1:30, Forest Park Stage

Yes, I’m violating my rule against recommending dense, atmospheric bands at outdoor festivals, but a) LouFest isn’t exactly brimming with electrifying live acts this year, and b) Glass Animals deserve the kind of breathless accolades bestowed upon their U.K. buzz-band counterparts. Refitting Rhye’s hushed bedroom jams for the aquarium, Glass Animals deal in liquid grooves and Prince-fied falsettos. Solids become liquids and liquids become gases on “Zaba,” the band’s beguiling debut, which creates a sonic universe all its own. An outdoor setting may not suit the aquatic depths of Glass Animals’ compositions, but if the band can bring “Zaba”’s amorphous charms to life on LouFest’s final day, we could be in for something special. —Mark Matousek

The Districts

Sun. 1:30, Shade Stage

Fans of Arctic Monkeys and their distinctive blend of quiet chaos would do well to head on over to the Shade Stage to see The Districts on Sunday afternoon. Their laid-back take on Americana-style indie-rock is made for singer Robby Grote, whose voice can go from a polished husk to a rocky growl in a verse. The four-piece band formed in Pennsylvania in a Lancaster County high school in 2009. The Districts played locally and eventually self-released an extended play and a full-length album, “Telephone,” before being signed last year. None of the band members had yet reached 21, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by the robust, mature sound.

The band’s self-titled EP released this January under Fat Possum Records pricked the ears of music critics and bloggers alike. The dynamic, harmonica-suffused “Funeral Beds” stands out in particular. With their ability to modulate between soft guitar-strummed verses to crashing zeniths, The Districts are the perfect band to start off Sunday at LouFest. It will wake you up and get your ears prepared for the rest of the day. —Kayla Hollenbaugh

Portugal. the Man

Sun. 2:15, Bud Light Stage

Portugal is The Man! Though the majority of LouFest attendees will be more familiar with the big names, Portugal. The Man, an alternative band from Alaska, will make Sunday afternoon well worth it. Lead singer John Gourley and the group are sure to put on a great show in the midst of their tour with Grouplove. The band is currently promoting its 2013 album, “Evil Friends.” This album features the psychedelic “Purple Yellow Red and Blue,” the eerie “Evil Friends” and the ’80s-influenced “Modern Jesus.” The synths on the tracks complement Gourley’s ability to sing high pitches, reminiscent of sounds of Passion Pit and Foster the People.

In addition, the catchy tunes are often accompanied by dreamy guitar solos, which will translate superbly to a festival setting as the group hopefully breaks out into solid jams. Portugal’s vibe will resonate throughout Forest Park and prove that the band’s afternoon time slot does not mean a mediocre performance. Be sure to check it out! —Tyler Friedman

Moon Taxi

Sun. 3:15, Shade Stage

Moon Taxi released its most recent album almost a year ago, but the Nashville-based band has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It employs the usual indie band setup of guitars, synth, bass and drums. Moon Taxi is different from the “typical” indie band in that its songs don’t all sound the same. The band moves between reverb-laden anthems and quiet moodiness.

Compare, for instance, “Morocco” and “Young Journey,” both from the band’s most recent album. The former uses programming and harmonies to create a memorable pop tune. The latter, however, is a mostly acoustic song that sounds like a cross between Vampire Weekend and Mumford & Sons’ most earnest work. The vocalist, Trevor Terndrup, has a bit of ’70s classic rock in his voice, which allows the more anthemic songs to really soar. Moon Taxi is sure to be an interesting act to catch at LouFest. The band could even become one of your new favorites. —Noah Jodice

Cherub

Sun. 5:15, Forest Park Stage

If the only Cherub song you know is “Doses and Mimosas,” then congratulations. Welcome to the bandwagon, and boy, are you in for one hell of a show. The Nashville duo truly rose to stardom with 2014’s full-length album “Year of the Caprese,” but that wasn’t even the first time the duo had released its hit song. Way back in 2012, Cherub debuted its album “MoM & DaD,” introducing the world to its disco synth. “Xoxo” was the most-acclaimed hit off “MoM & DaD,” and it truly serves as a jarring preview of the band’s irreverent lyrics.

Closely following “MoM & DaD” was the 2013 EP “100 Bottles.” Featuring dance tracks such as “Heartbreaker,” “Jazzercise ’95” and “Do I,” Cherub found its style on “100 Bottles,” showing the world that its music was more than just irreverent pop fun. It was down-and-dirty slow jams. Cherub starts at 5:15 p.m. on Sunday to serve as the perfect appetizer for the trio of Grouplove, Matt and Kim, and Outkast. After playing spectacular sets at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, Cherub has proven its worth; the only question that remains is, how long will it take you to hop on the bandwagon? —Wesley Jenkins

Vintage Trouble

Sun. 7:15, Shade Stage

Vintage Trouble is a band that sounds exactly like its name. No false advertising here. Guitar riffs, James Brown-style screeches, groovy drums and three-piece suits are its calling card. The band is part of the retro soul and rock movement that’s been gaining steam lately, and it plays its part well with old-school, fun music. The great Booker T. Jones has even vetted the group; the band appeared on his 2013 album “Sound the Alarm.”

Based on the band’s recent late-night TV appearances, its stage act should be energetic, to say the least. There are no disc jockeys standing behind MacBooks or 12-piece acoustic bands—just four people making good rock ’n’ roll together. Much like last year’s Alabama Shakes, Vintage Trouble should serve as a welcome respite from LouFest’s indie band-heavy lineup. If you’re a fan of Saturday night’s headliners, Arctic Monkeys, you won’t regret sticking around Sunday for Vintage Trouble. —Noah Jodice