Author: Emily Jensen, Emma Parker, and Richie DeMaria
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an event of gargantuan proportions. Attendees can look forward to three days featuring over 100 bands and probably about 17 consecutive emotional overloads over the course of the weekend. In anticipation, Emma Parker, Emily Jensen and Richie DeMaria pay homage to some of their favorite performers…
Arcade Fire: These seven Canadians are the reason I could smile all day when someone says “Coachella.” I seriously might cry out of joy when I see them. Their two full-length albums, Funeral and Neon Bible, were huge hits, and I would recommend in particular “Rebellion (Lies)” and “Intervention” to get a taste of the band. They have an eccentric sound-eerie vocals, violins and organs, and a deft balance of quiet and loud, create monumental musical moments. Arcade Fire is bound to be one of the highlights of Coachella, so if you’re going, they’re playing on Saturday and I cannot stress how amazing they are bound to be. Even if you haven’t heard their music before or don’t enjoy indie rock, they are known for being unusual and entertaining on stage, so it will be worth your while. -Emma
Air: This French duo gave one of the best performances back at Coachella 2004. Their chilled out, spacey electronic pop was a perfect way to wind down near the festival’s end. Here’s hoping they get the sunset slot on Sunday. -Richie
The Black Keys: There’s nobody like the Black Keys. Though they don’t look like much-just a couple of skinny boys from Ohio, defeated-looking and greasy-they’ll blow you away with their organic, gritty blues-rock. Theirs is the kind of honest, piercing rock n roll that really gets to you-it’s as visceral as the very blood that courses through your veins. All the more to their credit is the raw, basic setup of Daniel Aurbach on vocals and guitar and Patrick Carney on drums that produces a sound ten times their size. When I want catharsis, this is who I come to. I picture them swaggering about a saloon stage, ensconced by full-stack amps and a raging twist of electrical cables, playing to a buzzed, transfixed audience. I’ll be cool at the foot of the stage, but let it be known that I’ll be shrieking for joy on the inside. -Emily
CSS: Coachella is a great thing because it’s not just one kind of music. In the weeks-okay, months-building up to the music festival, I’ve really enjoyed researching bands I hadn’t heard of and sampling their songs, and in some cases, becoming hooked on new types of music. CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) is one such band. Their music encompasses many styles: dance, electronica, indie rock and pop. Originating from Brazil, CSS lyrics are in English and Portuguese, and the band has yet to sign with a major record label, which guarantees an original and true sound. They’re fun to dance to and it’s sure to be an energetic performance. -Emma
The Decemberists: Nasally vocals have never sounded quite so sweet as they do spilling from the lips of Colin Meloy, lead singer for the Decemberists. His unique warbling marries well with the gamut of genres the Decemberists delve into, from quiet folk to lolling, heavy rock to modernized sea chanteys. Their new album The Crane Wife, drawing inspiration from the children’s book of the same name as well as Shakespeare’s The Twelfth Night, exercises the kind of lyrical precision and understated musicianship that legends are made of; there’s a rich story behind every song, giving the album tantalizing depth. My veneration for these humble Portland natives is about as close as I get to spirituality-hence, their set on Saturday marks a major holy day in my religious calendar. -Emily
Explosions in the Sky: The festival is three full days, and although I will be enjoying every minute of it, it will be exhausting. Explosions in the Sky is a post-rock band from Texas and their show on Sunday is how I plan to rejuvenate and relax. Their music is purely instrumental and highly emotional, and I’m interested as to how this will play out live. To get a taste of their sound, I would suggest their sophomore album The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place. Even if you don’t like their mellow, slowly progressing songs, they will put on an incredible live show if you feel like a change of pace. -Emma
Justice: Justice may not be listed as high as trance superstars like Tiesto or Paul Van Dyk, but as far as electronic dance sets are concerned, these French DJs are sure to deliver one of the most exciting sets of the weekend. See you in the Sahara Tent. -Richie
The Jesus and Mary Chain: Ethereal, dreamy vocals are a disarmingly appropriate match for ultra-fuzzy electric guitar. The group hails from East Killbride in Scotland, and released their first album, Psychocandy, in 1984. They broke up in 1999, and their set at Coachella will be their first since the split. Though they are relatively invisible in today’s pop culture scene, they are often cited as one of the most influential bands in rock history, honored by artists such as the Butthole Surfers and the Stone Roses. Their song “Just Like Honey” is a warm, oozing example of their typical sunny, chilled-out sound and is highly recommended. -Emily
Konono No. 1: Looking for something different? Try out Konono No. 1, a group from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their hypnotic music, made from electric likembés, is unlike anything else at the festival, and definitely worth your time. -Richie
Peaches: As far as live shows go, the hyper-sexual antics of Peaches are about as wild as they get. If you like your concerts with a side of striptease, then Peaches is for you. -Richie
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