Kevin Bronson on April 15th, 2013

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Who: The Make-Up in the Gobi Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Art soul revival
Memorable Because: Deranged frontman Ian Svenonius first apologized for the indignities Coachella attendees had suffered to see his reunited garage-soul band, then proceeded to preach a sort of rock liberation theology standing atop the hands of onlookers. (Including yours truly.) The snake oil faith healer shtick worked wonders, cured tiredness and sunburn, and had many onlookers looking enraptured as though they’d found the best happy accident indulgence money can buy. (They did.) Svenonius led his flock through some of their best songs (“I Am Pentagon,” “We’re Having A Baby”), rectifying wayward Coachella attendees with a musical manifesto of jagged beats and soul-replenishing organs. Ironic to have the Make-Up’s Marxist message at Coachella, but it’s not like the festival’s most consumerist sect was anywhere near that stage anyway. Put this one on the all-time Coachella list. It was that good.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was At Grizzly Bear: OMG! P4K! BNM! 9.0! (Puh-lease.)
– Ben “Mouse” McShane (Photo by Scott Dudelson)