Who: Fitz & the Tantrums at the Outdoor Theatre In 3 or Fewer Words: Memorable Because: As Fitz & the Tantrums can attest, it’s all about timing. They emerged as a neo-soul band six years when the public was ready for pop that soudned more organic, then segued to second-album new wave to join the […]
Who: Florence + the Machine on the Main Stage In 3 or Fewer Words: Exhausted just watching. Memorable Because: Who knew the real headliner-quality performance of Sunday night would come from this 28-year-old Londoner? Florence Welch gave an exuberant, incredibly athletic performance that found her fronting a huge band (horns, backup singers and all), at […]
Who:Â Stromae in the Mojave Tent In 3 or Fewer Words:Â Lights, action, dance! Memorable Because:Â It was an absolute delight to walk into the tent when Belgian singer, rapper and electronic superstar Stromae started his electrifying set. Although more and more fans crammed their way into the Mojave Tent, this blogger still couldn’t have predicted how thrilling […]
Who: St. Vincent at the Outdoor Theatre In 3 or Fewer Words: All angles. Memorable Because: Annie Clark first asked the modest crowd at the Outdoor Theatre to put their phones away. A few complied. Then she launched into “Bring Me Your Loves” as she and bandmate Toko Yasuda pulled off some robot marches around […]
Who: Ryan Adams at the Outdoor Theatre. In 3 or Fewer Words: Tip your waitress. Top Five Ryan Adams Zingers Between Songs 1) (opening his set) “Yay, sad music in the desert.†2) (regarding photographers on a crane) “Hey, you guys be careful up there in whatever that Transformer thing is you guys got up […]
Who: The Cribs in the Gobi Tent In 3 or Fewer Words: Hey, scenesters! Memorable Because: “How many people here came to Coachella to see us in 2010?” singer-guitarist Ryan Jarman asked the light crowd in the Gobi. A few hands shot up. “We’re worry we didn’t make it — we tried everything.” It was an […]
Who:Â Jenny Lewis at the Outdoor Theatre In 3 or Fewer Words:Â Jenny, Blake, Haim. Memorable Because:Â On the strength of her new album “The Voyager,” Jenny Lewis came to Coachella poised to give a transformative experience. And wearing a rainbow-and-cloud pantsuit and performing in front of pastel-colored backdrop, she did, making dreams come true for every fan […]
Who: Desaparecidos in the Gobi Tent In 3 or Fewer Words: Strident, thank you. Memorable Because: Conor Oberst walked onstage wearing a shirt that read “DEPORT CONOR OBERST!” (a new merch item, naturally) and later issued a warning. “Almost everything you’ll hear coming out of my mouth today is extremely negative.” Oberst’s resuscitated hardcore band […]
Who: Built to Spill at the Outdoor Theatre In 3 or Fewer Words: Where is everybody? Memorable Because: If Built to Spill can’t attract a midday festival crowd then maybe there really is no hope for classic indie-rock bands at Coachella. After all, they are the closest thing 1990s dad rock has to a jam […]
Who:Â St. Lucia on the Main Stage In 3 or Fewer Words:Â Safe and sound. Memorable Because:Â St. Lucia was a pretty safe bet if you wanted to chill and get some shade but still be surrounded by positive electro-pop vibes. The New York band was all smiles and sunshine, especially when they played their most well-known tune […]
