For reasons unknown, the Gods of Music andTime have smiled upon us. For all of those times that you hear a familiar tune on the radio, or perhaps your Walkman, and you think to yourself “Wow, I wish I had the chance to see them at a big concert. I guess that time has passed.” The organizers of Coachella seem to be no stranger to this feeling. They have gathered together an amalgamation of bands that will both catch you up on bands that are just peeking into the world of Indie music and bands that you have yet to see live and are always hearing about how good their concerts were. Out of those bands, I have chosen ten you absolutely must go see:
10. Modest Mouse
Just think to yourself. If you don’t see Modest Mouse at Coachella, when are you going to see them ever again? Those who are truthful to themselves will answer with a resounding “never,” further proving the necessity of sitting through and singing every lyric of “Float On” that we all know you know.
Just think to yourself. If you don’t see Modest Mouse at Coachella, when are you going to see them ever again? Those who are truthful to themselves will answer with a resounding “never,” further proving the necessity of sitting through and singing every lyric of “Float On” that we all know you know.
9. The Neighbourhood
We have come to the point in time where knowing the song “Sweater Weather” no longer makes you trendy. The newest requirement for the status of trendy has elevated to actually seeing this elusive band live and watching Philip Rice dance around stage. This band seems to enjoy gravitating toward Oklahoma, the band’s home state, only coming to Southern California recently opening for Metric (see number 4). Perhaps you’ll even hear the track “Afraid,” a masterpiece that has yet to be released.
We have come to the point in time where knowing the song “Sweater Weather” no longer makes you trendy. The newest requirement for the status of trendy has elevated to actually seeing this elusive band live and watching Philip Rice dance around stage. This band seems to enjoy gravitating toward Oklahoma, the band’s home state, only coming to Southern California recently opening for Metric (see number 4). Perhaps you’ll even hear the track “Afraid,” a masterpiece that has yet to be released.
8. The Violent Femmes
I’m not saying that the Violent Femmes are ancient by any means; however, they were first formed in 1981. Thirty-two years ago. Your favorite track “Blister in the Sun” was released exactly thirty years ago. The Violent Femmes experienced some internal turmoil roughly half a decade ago, and subsequently disbanded. Coachella has invigorated the band witl a seemingly final tour, meaning that you have to get this band “down on your permanent record,” as the Violent Femmes would say, before they disband permanently. 7. The Postal Service
Everyone knows the name “The Postal Service,” yet the band only has one album to its name. Why is that, you may ask? It’s because Give Up is one hell of an album. Strap together Death Cab’s Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis, and you have quite the poignant ensemble. I dare you to say that you cannot relate to any of the songs on this album. Whether it be “Nothing Better” or the timeless classic “Such Great Heights,” The Postal Service tears at the heartstrings and knows exactly how to form that little smile and the goosebumps all over your body. Gibbard has already announced that no second album will be made, so go see The Postal Service now, as they probably will not tour in the near future or ever again. |
6. Wild Belle
Unlike the majority of the other artists on this list and at Coachella, Wild Belle is an infant in this world of fervent music lovers and bands with a massive following. They first stepped onto the scene when “Keep You” was featured very briefly in Pitch Perfect, giving the eager public a slight glimpse at what has already become one of my favorite albums of the year, Isles. The saxophone-toting, brother-sister duo has a unique sound that is sure to pique the interests of both the drugged-up minds and the sober, there-for-the-music fans at the Outdoor theatre.
Unlike the majority of the other artists on this list and at Coachella, Wild Belle is an infant in this world of fervent music lovers and bands with a massive following. They first stepped onto the scene when “Keep You” was featured very briefly in Pitch Perfect, giving the eager public a slight glimpse at what has already become one of my favorite albums of the year, Isles. The saxophone-toting, brother-sister duo has a unique sound that is sure to pique the interests of both the drugged-up minds and the sober, there-for-the-music fans at the Outdoor theatre.
5. Vampire Weekend
A-Punk. Need I say more? If you do not already know, Vampire Weekend is set to debut their third full-length album, Modern Vampires of the City, in mid-May, and Coachella will be one giant spectacle that will just inflate your mildly forgotten enthusiasm for Ezra Koenig’s young, grin-inducing voice! Peppering releases of singles throughout March has already proven to me that Vampire Weekend has done it again! So get ready for May and get psyched to see Vampire Weekend at the Coachella stage!
A-Punk. Need I say more? If you do not already know, Vampire Weekend is set to debut their third full-length album, Modern Vampires of the City, in mid-May, and Coachella will be one giant spectacle that will just inflate your mildly forgotten enthusiasm for Ezra Koenig’s young, grin-inducing voice! Peppering releases of singles throughout March has already proven to me that Vampire Weekend has done it again! So get ready for May and get psyched to see Vampire Weekend at the Coachella stage!
4. Metric
I know, I know. Most of you have not lost yourself to Emily Haines’s rugged and intoxicating voice yet, however, I implore that you give Metric a listen to both before and during Coachella to see what I mean when I say that Metric sounds worlds better live. The sexy, strutting, long-legged Haines will spark memories of Blondie, and you will find yourself lost to the rebellious, youthful energy of “Help, I’m Alive” and “Gold Guns Girls.” Perhaps you will get the honor of hearing “Twilight Galaxy” live. Metric doesn’t tour frequently, so take this opportunity and find your new obsession with Metric!
I know, I know. Most of you have not lost yourself to Emily Haines’s rugged and intoxicating voice yet, however, I implore that you give Metric a listen to both before and during Coachella to see what I mean when I say that Metric sounds worlds better live. The sexy, strutting, long-legged Haines will spark memories of Blondie, and you will find yourself lost to the rebellious, youthful energy of “Help, I’m Alive” and “Gold Guns Girls.” Perhaps you will get the honor of hearing “Twilight Galaxy” live. Metric doesn’t tour frequently, so take this opportunity and find your new obsession with Metric!
3. The xx
I feel like a small ditty about The xx will not be enough to capture the intensity with which I tell you that it is a requirement that you see this band at Coachella. The seductive voices of The xx seem to entrance audiences with a warmth of seduction and soothing pleasure. “Islands” and “Crystalised” will course through your veins for long after this show, and I wholeheartedly think that seeing The xx over Two Door Cinema Club and Franz Ferdinand, two bands playing simultaneously with The xx, will be well worth your time!
I feel like a small ditty about The xx will not be enough to capture the intensity with which I tell you that it is a requirement that you see this band at Coachella. The seductive voices of The xx seem to entrance audiences with a warmth of seduction and soothing pleasure. “Islands” and “Crystalised” will course through your veins for long after this show, and I wholeheartedly think that seeing The xx over Two Door Cinema Club and Franz Ferdinand, two bands playing simultaneously with The xx, will be well worth your time!
2. Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters and Men is not a band for Coachella; rather, Coachella is a festival for bands like Of Monsters and Men. Missing out on this Icelandic indie folk/pop band means missing out on the heart of soul of Coachella: fun music you can dance to, sing with, and get high during. I’m not condoning all of those actions, but it describes the core of what Coachella stands for. Imagine being in a crowd of people exactly like you (only dirtier) right as Ragnar Þórhallsson and Nanna Hilmarsdóttir sing in unison “Don’t listen to a word I say! The screams all sound the same!” You know everyone will know every single word, pause, beat, and cymbal crash to Of Monsters and Men, and they will all have their own dance moves coordinated that somehow all work together to create a giant, passionate, moving blob of people all really, really, happy. And that is what makes Coachella, Coachella. |
1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The goddess that is Karen O is assuredly going to produce only the most top-notch concert known to man this year at Coachella. Why? Because the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are coming back! Not to say they were gone too long, but few believed that another album would follow It’s Blitz! Fortunately for the entire population inhabiting this giant rock, the band announced that Mosquito would come out in between the two weekends of Coachella on April 16. To build up the excitement, you know that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are going to be wanting to make the top of the headlines and will thus make the most edgy, dancefloor-friendly punk concert that I have seen in a long time. It’s just going to be indescribable, so go see them and celebrate with the band because no one will be able to accurately tell of the awe that is their concert.
The goddess that is Karen O is assuredly going to produce only the most top-notch concert known to man this year at Coachella. Why? Because the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are coming back! Not to say they were gone too long, but few believed that another album would follow It’s Blitz! Fortunately for the entire population inhabiting this giant rock, the band announced that Mosquito would come out in between the two weekends of Coachella on April 16. To build up the excitement, you know that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are going to be wanting to make the top of the headlines and will thus make the most edgy, dancefloor-friendly punk concert that I have seen in a long time. It’s just going to be indescribable, so go see them and celebrate with the band because no one will be able to accurately tell of the awe that is their concert.
Loved what you just read? Check out more of Wyatt's articles by clicking here!
|