Kevin Bronson on April 19th, 2012

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Going to Weekend 2 of Coachella?

It figures to be quite a bit different than the first weekend, but only because of the predicted high temperatures. Weekend 1 was a breeze – weather-wise, to be sure, but also because the festival was the smoothest-run of the eight that I have attended. Crowds were the opposite of unruly; sets almost always ran on time; negotiating pedestrian traffic on the polo grounds seemed the least hassle-free ever; and the lineup was top-drawer.

The small-but-scrappy Buzz Bands LA staff tried to make as many sets as we could. What follows are our highlights, and, after the jump, a compendium of all the mini-reviews we published during the first weekend. As always, if you miss the afternoon sets at Coachella, you miss some of the best stuff. Enjoy.

Bronson’s Top 3 Coachella Moments

Gary Clark Jr. – The bluesy, soulful Austin shredder/crooner lived up to every ounce of the hype.
Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – Star-studded celebration of hip-hop’s golden age. And a dead man rappin’.
The Hives – Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist and his formal-attired commandos stage a comeback full of moxie.

Bronson’s (Other) Favorite Attack of Nostalgia

Squeeze – Oh, those songs. Oh, that beard. Is it really nostalgia if it’s still this good?

Bronson’s Favorite L.A. Moment

Honeyhoney – Only modestly interested at the beginning of the set, the crowd was totally owned by Suzanne Santos by the end.

Seraphina’s Top 3 Coachella Moments

Pulp – The most pelvic thrust-filled reunion there ever could have been on this side of the ocean (well-suited for a festival stage).
Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg – An all-star show full of narcotics and high-technology which had me time-traveling from my Junior High to college years. (Jncos and brown lip-liner, what?)
Feist – The indie songbird pulled out all the stops with a full band and orchestra. It was a surreal second when the camera zoomed in on the sheet music.

Seraphina’s Favorite Out-of-Body Experience

Explosions in the Sky – No drugs, glow sticks or words needed. The rain, guitars and closed eyes were enough.

Seraphina’s Freshest of the Festival

Azealia Banks – Youth, style, brains, speed and rhymes all rolled up in to one spunky gal.

After the jump, a compendium of our Coachella Week 1 coverage:

Band By Band, What We Covered at Coachella:

Friday

Friday overview
Abe Vigoda: Work in progress
Wallpaper: Noon-hour dance party
The Dear Hunter: Proggy and tender
Yuck: Not gross at all
Honeyhoney: Winning the crowd
Other Lives: Gorgeous (again)
James: An exuberant return
Gary Clark Jr.: Wow. Just wow.
Arctic Monkeys: Still looking good
Madness: Oh what fun
WU LYF: Heavy pop.
Girls: Flowers all around
Pulp: Jarvis Cocker’s glory
Mazzy Star: Still twinkling
Explosions in the Sky: Beyond words
M83: Headliner in a tent
Refused: Screamalicious
Gallery with Black Keys, Jimmy Cliff, the Black Angels and more

Saturday

Overview
Tijuana Panthers: A hearty breakfast
Dragonette: Daytime disco
The Vaccines: Good medicine
We Are Augustines: All hail indie-rock
Azealia Banks: Star of the afternoon
fIREHOSE: Lacking the spark
AWOLNATION: Main-stage bombast
Tune-Yards: Rainforest R&B
The Head and the Heart: A lot to like
Buzzcocks: Explosive and fun
Kaiser Chiefs: Oh, those hits
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Just coasting
Andrew Bird: Strings in the sunshine
Squeeze: Fresh as ever
Feist: Chronically classy
Bon Iver: Reaching a whole new level
Radiohead: All spectacle, no “Bends.”
Gallery with St. Vincent, the Shins, We Were Promised Jetpacks and more

Sunday

Overview, with that hologram
Oberhofer: Ah, young love
Lissie: Bright as the sun
Band of Skulls: The power of three
Le Butcherettes: Playing possessed
Santigold: Passing with flying colors
Real Estate: Pretty in the afternoon
The Growlers: Surf, surf, surf
Fitz & the Tantrums: Now that was fun
Wild Flag: A clinic on how to rock
The Hives: Leapin’, howlin’, barkin’, rockin’
The Weeknd: Oh so smooth
Beirut (and a side trip to Calvin Harris): Horns blaring
At the Drive-In: A raging return
Florence + the Machine: Spreading her wings
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg: The past comes alive
Gallery with Gotye, Beats Antique, Fanfarlo and more