SNL SIGNS UP MK.GEE, CHARLI XCX

Ahead of its 11/2 episode, hosted by John Mulaney and featuring musical guest Chappell Roan, Saturday Night Live has locked in indie upstart Mk.gee (pictured) and Charli xcx as its subsequent two performers.

Mk.gee will play 11/9 alongside host Bill Burr; Charli will host and serve as musical guest on 11/16.

As for the mysterious Mk.gee, who's generating Grammy buzz thanks to his Stem-distributed debut album, Two Star & the Dream Police (R&R Digital/Virgin Music Group), the booking certainly bucks SNL's 50th season preference for massive stars like Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks and Coldplay.

Born Michael Gordon, Mk.gee relocated from the East Coast to Los Angeles to attend the USC Thornton School of Music before dropping out to pursue a career as a recording artist. He soon began self-releasing his atmospheric, deliciously distorted lo-fi jams featuring innovative guitar voicings, woozy synths and quirkily melodic, R&B-informed songwriting.

RE: Charli xcx, one can only hope she'll help cast member Bowen Yang reprise his recent impersonation of her.