Buzz building for Secret Stages gig by ‘phenomenal’ rock-pop group Sleepwalkers

The upcoming Secret Stages appearance by Sleepwalkers — a buzz-worthy rock-pop band from Richmond, Virginia, known for its wild, energetic live shows — should be a festival highlight. 

“They’re phenomenal performers,” said Secret Stages programmer Travis Morgan, who also booked the band last year at Parkside in Avondale. “They really bring it.”

Sleepwalkers is led by brothers Michael and Austin York, who have been compared to another pair of siblings — Ray and Dave Davies of The Kinks — in their ability to crank out pop songs in multiple genres.

Sleepwalkers’ 2014 debut album, “Greenwood Shade,” — featuring the group’s upbeat, infectious melodies — earned the band at least one high-profile fan, singer-songwriter Ryan Adams. “They should be the biggest band right now,” he said.

Sleepwalkers, according to examiner.com, has “created a sound that takes ’70s pop a la (Paul) McCartney and brought it into the synth-laden modern era a la Tame Impala.” The band has also drawn comparisons to such artists as Vampire Weekend, Real Estate, Fleetwood Mac and The Beatles.

Secret Stages organizers said they hope the third time will be the charm in their attempt to present the band. Sleepwalkers was scheduled to play the 2015 festival but had to pull out. In April, they were set to play a Secret Stages showcase at Syndicate Lounge before a band member fell ill.

“I think people are going to be impressed with how good of a band they are,” Morgan said. 

For more about Sleepwalkers, go to secretstages.net or find them at Facebook and Bandcamp.