Oh, the music festival time schedule conflict. It's bane of every festival goer's existence. This weekend is Coachella, and we here at For Young Moderns want to help everyone going decide between artists who are playing at the same time as one another. Sometimes the choices are easy (Kanye vs. She Wants Revenge), other times, the choice can be very difficult (OFWGKTA vs. Cee Lo).
Hopefully, our advice can help you have the best Coachella experience possible. Be safe out there!
Friday April 15
!!! (2:20-3:10 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Moving Units (2:30-3:10 Coachella Stage)
Winner: !!!
!!! is the early winner here. They somehow seem to play every festival ever and you can ALWAYS count on them to put on an excellent show. The only drawback here is that their set will be happening when the sun is overhead, which won't aid all the dancers.
Moving Units are still around?!
!!! - Must Be the Moon:
Ozomatli (3:35-4:25 Coachella Stage) vs. Titus Andronicus (3:30-4:15 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (3:15-4:05 Gobi Stage) vs. Cold Cave (3:00-3:45 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Cold Cave
Local favorites Ozomatli seem to play shows in the Southland every other week or so. So, missing them wouldn't be a huge tragedy. I lost faith in Omar Rodriguez and everything Mars Volta after they put out their umpteenth poor album in a row. The real battle here is between hard rockers Titus Andronicus, who are a ball of energy live, and goth rock hedonists Cold Cave, who I'm giving the edge to since they have the fresher album out.
Cold Cave - The Great Pan is Dead
Cee Lo Green (4:50-5:50 Coachella Stage) vs. Warpaint (4:40-5:25 Outdoor Theatre) vs. The Morning Benders (4:30-5:20 Gobi Stage) vs. The Drums (4:10-4:55 Mojave Stage) vs. Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (4:30-5:25 Sahara Stage)
Winner: Cee Lo Green
Here's your first huge dilemma. San Francisco's The Morning Benders have some good songs but nothing to go nuts over quite yet. The exact same thing can be said about The Drums. Warpaint is an excellent band with a fantastic record out, but are a bit of a drag to see live, especially in hot desert heat (see: FYF Fest 2010). OFWGKTA will be the most hyped group all Coachella weekend, and if you can get over the mostly true notion that hip hop kind of sucks live and all their homophobic and misogynic slurs, then Odd Future might be the way to go. Otherwise, I'd go with Cee Lo, who, judging by his Grammys performance, is destined to put on a highlight of he weekend.
Just as long as Gwenyth Paltrow doesn't show up. (She probably will).
Cee Lo Green - Fuck You (Live at the Grammys)
Ms. Lauren Hill (6:05-6:55 Coachella Stage) vs. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (5:45 - 6:35 Gobi Stage) vs. YACHT (6:25-7:10 Mojave Stage) vs. A-Trak (5:30-6:30 Sahara Stage)
Winner: YACHT
This is kind of a controversial selection. All sign would usually point to Ms. Lauren Hill as the way to go here, but we've heard some horror stories about her recent performances (showing up VERY late, being grouchy on stage). A-Trak might be a good alternative if Hill starts late, if you're into that sort of thing. Ariel Pink put out a solid album in 2010 but that feels like a million years ago now. But if you want a guaranteed great show, stick with Portland's YACHT, who will get you dancing even if you don't know any of their material.
YACHT - Psychic City (Voodoo City)
Interpol (7:25-8:15 Coachella Stage) vs. Cold War Kids (7:00-7:50 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Sleigh Bells (7:30-8:10 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Sleigh Bells
I'm still trying to figure out how/why Interpol are still playing shows. They need to disband, let their first two albums sink in to everyone's minds as the classics they truly are, and they have a massive reunion tour in about fifteen years. Unless they play a ton of old material, they will be very boring to see live. Cold War Kids have never blown me away and they are playing surprisingly late in the day. Due to technical problems that can sometimes plague their sets Sleigh Bells can be an iffy choice. But, given the competition, they're the safest bet.
Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill
The Black Keys (8:40-9:30 Coachella Stage) vs. Brandon Flowers (8:15-9:05 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Cut Copy (8:35-9:25 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Cut Copy
The Black Keys and Brandon Flowers will have their stages absolutely packed with fans, who will leave Coachella claiming their sets were one of the best of the weekend but not having a really great explanation as to why. Both of those artists' massive popularity should leave Cut Copy's area a little empty, which is a shame since their new album is filled with more life than The Black Keys and Flowers' entire discographies combined.
Cut Copy - Need You Now
Kings of Leon (9:55-11:15 Coachella Stage) vs. Crystal Castles (9:30-10:20 Outdoor Theatre) vs. The Aquabats (9:45-10:30 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Crystal Castles
I would say that Kings of Leon's audience should be absolutely packed, but i have the feeling that people are starting to get sick of them, so I don't know... You can't go wrong with The Aquabats (talk about a burst of nostalgia), but Crystal Castles is the kind of music that made you come to Coachella in he first place.
Crystal Castles - Alice Practice
The Chemical Brothers (11:40 Coachella Stage) vs. Flogging Molly (Midnight Outdoor Theatre) vs. Gayngs (12:05 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Gayngs
The Chemical Brothers put on a great show at the Hollywood Bowl last year and will be a visual feast. Flogging Molly are still better than Mumford & Sons, but if you're like me, you've seen them at every festival you've already been to (Warped Tour in 2003, Lollapalooza in 2008, among others). Gayngs will be the secret sleeper set of the night. Armed with Har Mar Superstar, Gayngs will be a ridiculous dance party, guaranteed.
Gayngs - Cry
Saturday April 16
Mariachi El Bronx (Noon-12:45 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Mariachi El Bronx
If you're up early enough, and have a craving for some surprisingly authentic Mariachi music, then you can't go wrong with Mariachi El Bronx.
Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates
Rye Rye (1:00-1:30 Sahara Stage)
Winner: Rye Rye
The M.I.A. protege will be a teat for those who feel like attending a dance party at 1:00pm.
Rye Rye - Sunshine (feat. M.I.A.)
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down (1:55-2:35 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Cults (1:55-2:40 Gobi Stage)
Winner: Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
You win with either Thao or Cults. But Thao already has three strong albums under her belt and is always fun live. Cults have only about four songs officially released as of Coachalla. They'll be fun, but Thao will be better.
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - When We Swam
Gogol Bordello (3:25-4:25 Coachella Stage) vs. The Tallest Man On Earth (3:00-3:45 Gobi Stage)
Winner: The Tallest Man On Earth
Here comes a string of performances that I'm pretty 'meh' about. Gogol Bordello is excellent live, but can be avoided if you're sort of tired of them like I am. The Tallest Man On Earth is the way to go if you're into the whole one-man-and-his-guitar thing.
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
Delta Spirit (4:05-4:55 Outdoor Theatre)
Winner: Delta Spirit
I don't really know much about Delta Spirit or an of the other acts playing around tis time. I see Delta Spirit's name a lot more than the others, so I'd go with them or get some water or something.
Delta Spirit - Bushwick Blues
Erykah Badu (4:50-5:40 Coachella Stage)
Winner: Erykah Badu
Check out Erykah and her music prowess if you want some chill grooves in the middle of the day.
Erykah Badu - Window Seat
Broken Social Scene (6:05-6:55 Coachella Stage) vs. The New Pornographers (6:35-7:25 Outdoor Theatre) vs. Jenny & Johnny (5:45-6:35 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Broken Social Scene
I've never been too nuts about BSS or The New Pornos. I think fellow FYM writer Jesse is really into BSS, so I'd go with them. I saw Jenny & Johnny open for Pavement in Denver last year and they were pretty disappointing, unfortunately.
Broken Social Scene - Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl
Bright Eyes (7:20-8:10 Coachella Stage)
Winner: Bright Eyes
Wow, Coachella's Saturday is really boring most of the day. Bright Eyes is one of the few options here. Maybe enjoy a nap or go check out one of the electronic stages instead?
Bright Eyes - At the Bottom of Everything
Mumford & Sons (8:30-9:20 Coachella Stage) vs. Wire (8:40-9:30 Gobi Stage) vs. One Day As a Lion (8:15-9:00 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Wire
The legendary punks are still sounding freak after several decades together. It's always good to spend some time at Coachella checking out a band that is rooted in such deep historical significance.
Wire - Heartbeat
Animal Collective (9:45-10:55 Coachella Stage) vs. The Swell Season (9:25-10:15 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Animal Collective
Now, this is more like it! Or is it? Animal Collective has put out several of the greatest albums of the past decade, but their live show has never matched the quality of their recorded work. They should be very interesting to see live if you never have before, as they're the best option for this time slot. The Swell Season could be decent especially if you have seen the film Once.
Animal Collective - Peacebone
Arcade Fire (11:20 Coachella Stage) vs. Scissor Sisters (11:55 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Arcade Fire
The (arguably) biggest and (not so arguably) most important band of our time. If you have never seen them live or haven't seen them in a long time, then this is a no-brainer. If you have seen them multiple times in the pas few months (me), then is still a big NO-BRAINER.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Sunday April 17
Menomena (1:20-2:00 Outdoor Stage) vs. Twin Shadow (1:10-1:55 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Twin Shadow
I've never gotten into Menomena, and Twin Shadow put out a rad record last year, so your Sunday should start out with the eclectic Twin Shadow.
Twin Shadow - Slow
Jack's Mannequin (2:30-3:20 Coachella Stage) vs. Delorean (2:00-2:45 Gobi Stage)
Winner: Delorean
Why Jack's Mannequin is even playing is a shocker to me, but I'm sure he will have a sizable crowd of girls to play to. All those girls will be missing out on the amazing Spaniards Delorean, who hopefully won't suffer the same technical issues that plagued their FYF Fest set last year.
Delorean - Seasun (Live at the Echoplex)
OFF! (3:05-3:30 Gobi Stage)
Winner: OFF!
Modern classic punks OFF! don't have much competition here, so you should stick around for their quick, efficient 25 minute set after Delorean, but back off a little once the mosh pits kick up a lot of dust. They may very well play 25 songs in 25 minutes.
OFF! - Darkness / Panic Attack / Upside Down (Live)
Wiz Khalifa (3:45-4:35 Coachella Stage) vs. CSS (3:30-4:20 Mojave Stage)
Winner: Wiz Khalifa
CSS always seemed like kind of generic electropop, and Wiz is something special. You'd be foolish to pass Wiz up.
Wiz Khalifa - Taylor Gang (feat. Chevy Woods)
Nas & Damian Marley (5:00-5:50 Coachella Stage) vs. Jimmy Eat World (4:50-5:40 Outdoor Theatre) vs. HEALTH (4:45-5:35 Mojave Stage)
Winner: HEALTH
Nas & Damien Marley should be great if you're into that sort of thing. Jimmy Eat World would be nice to see if they exclusively played material from Bleed American and before (they won't). The EASY choice here is HEALTH, who always put on a mindbendingly great show.
HEALTH - We Are Water
Death From Above 1979 (6:10-7:00 Coachella Stage) vs. Best Coast (6:05 - 6:55 Outdoor Theatre)
Winner: Best Coast
This is another controversial choice here at FYM. The popularity of DFA1979 has confounded me from day one. People with great taste in music worship this band for some reason. I just don't get it, as all their songs sound consist of the same fuzzed-out bass / crashing drums / grouchy vocals over and over again. There is no variety and there is very little fun. It's a big headachy mess. Two thirds of the writing staff here at FYM completely disagree with this paragraph, though.
On the other hand, Best Coast might play some new material, which should be good for those who have seen her a million times. If you've never seen them live before, even better. They're always fun.
Best Coast - Crazy For You
Duran Duran (7:25-8:25 Coachella Stage) vs. The National (7:25-8:15 Outdoor Theatre)
Winner: The National
Duran Duran will always be a gimmicky 80's pop band to me. It will be like watching a live reenactment of a random hour of VH1 performed on a Coachella stage. The National, on the other hand, are a real band with some real songs and should not be missed!
The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio
The Strokes (8:55-10:00 Coachella Stage) vs. Chromeo (8:35-9:20)
Winner: The Strokes
I love you, Chromeo, but your last album was sort of average and I've seen you live a bunch of times already. Even though The Strokes never technically broke up, this definitely feels like a reunion. And an exciting one at that. Their new album is better than advertised, and you can bet on hearing a bunch of old classics. This should be a feel-good set.
The Strokes - Last Nite
PJ Harvey (9:45-10:35 Outdoor Theatre)
Winner: PJ Harvey
Most people from the Strokes crowd will probably stay in place to wait for Kanye, but they will be missing out on something special in PJ Harvey. Harvey recently put out an absolute stunner of an album, Let England Shake, which may very well be the magnum opus of her entire lengthy career. She doesn't tour in the States a lot, so you'd be foolish to miss out on her if you're familiar with her music.
PJ Harvey - The Words That Maketh Murder
Kanye West (10:30 Coachella Stage) vs. She Wants Revenge (11:05 Gobi Stage)
Winner: Kanye West
You can spot all the losers at Coachella thinking watching She Wants Revenge is a wiser use of their time than watching Kanye West perform live. His Glow in the Dark Tour from a few years ago was stunning, and with his amazing new album now in her repertoire, you can expect something even greater.
Kanye West - All of the Lights (feat. Rihanna and Kid Cudi)
No comments:
Post a Comment