Guess Who's Opening for Katy on Tour...

Last week, Katy Perry announced that indie pop singers Betty Who and Tove Lo will be opening for her on the Australian leg of her Prismatic World Tour. This is a huge deal for both artists who have managed to grab the attention of major publications like Time, Vogue, and Pitchfork in the past, but haven’t exactly "blown up" just yet. Could this be the big break both women have been waiting for? If you’re not already familiar with Betty Who and Tove Lo, let me take a moment to introduce you to them. Trust me, these are two up-and-coming artists who you definitely need to know.

Betty Who

Betty Who (real name: Jessica Newham) is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Sydney, Australia. Who moved to the United States in 2007 to study cello at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, but by her junior year, she had decided that the cello just wasn’t her thing — she wanted to try her hand at becoming a pop star, instead. After graduating high school, Who attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where she met producer Peter Thomas. It wasn’t long before the two started making wonderful, neon-bright pop music together.

Who released her debut EP, The Movement, in April of 2013. She rose to online prominence a few months later when the EP’s fantastic lead single, “Somebody Loves You,” went viral thanks to an adorable Home Depot marriage proposal video. Just days later, Who signed a recording contract with RCA Records. She released her second EP, Slow Dancing, this past April. Who’s first full-length album is due out sometime later this year.

Who’s sound has been described as Robyn meets Katy Perry. Her music is characterized by catchy choruses, soaring melodies, and bubbly, '80s-tinged production. Here is your Betty Who essential listening:

"Somebody Loves You"

"High Society"

"Heartbreak Dream"

Tove Lo

Tove Lo is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Lo is a graduate of the prestigious Rytmus School in Stockholm, which boasts successful alumni such as Erik Hassle and Robyn. After spending some time writing for other artists like Girls Aloud and Icona Pop, Lo signed a deal with Island Records and began making her own unique brand of pop music.

Lo’s debut single, “Love Ballad,” was released in fall of 2012, but the quirky, emotionally charged follow-up, “Habits,” made a much larger impact. Lo's debut EP, Truth Serum, came out in March of 2014 and cemented her as a new artist to watch. “Stay High,” a remix of “Habits,” is Lo’s first minor U.S. hit (but I like the original better).

Lo’s sound has been described as Kesha…"if she were very sad." Yeah, that’s a pretty apt description! Lo’s music is characterized by dramatic lyrics, passionate emotional outbursts, and tight, dance-pop hooks. Here is your Tove Lo essential listening:

"Habits"

"Out of Mind"

"Over"

Will opening for a major pop star like Katy Perry propel either (or both) of these under-the-radar artists into the spotlight? We’ll just have to wait and see. My fingers are crossed!