News: And now, it’s time for Coachella

January 22nd, 2008 - by Eddie

Festivals

I’m psyched. After two weeks talking extensively about SXSW, here comes Coachella, yet another awesome music festival that I can’t afford to go to. And if you happen to be going to both, you are the bane of my existence.

Don’t know the difference between the two? SXSW is a monster that drowns music fans with an obscene amount of bands that no one will be able to see. It’s an exercise in endurance, stamina and will. Only the strong survive and the weak are left to rot in Texas.

Coachella is a somewhat easier to take (and a hell of a lot cheaper than the obscene $600 music pass for SXSW) and, unlike the random bands you may see at SXSW, these are somewhat more established indie acts that you’ve been reading about in blogs or from your hipster neighbor that constantly leaves his fridge door open

Real quick, here’s who I’m excited to not see live in the California sun (oh I’m not bitter. Not at all. No no). The entire list of bands is after the jump.

*Oh, and tickets go on sale THIS FRIDAY (Jan. 25) at 10 PST (that’s 1pm EST) through Ticketmaster or by phone. Get’m quick.

3-day pass $269
single day pass $90

The Swell Season: If you’re a regular reader, then you know I loved the movie “Once” and have praised this band from the movie for it’s emotional, acoustic sound.

Battles: It’s rare that you hear something new and challenging (although the Mars Volta is coming out with something soon). This is one of those bands.

Jens Lekman: I’ve been told by Iverson, another 52 Shows writer (who actualy hasn’t written anything yet because he’s too busy getting trashed on a regular basis), that Lekman released one of the best albums last year. And, despite his piss-poor work ethic, Iverson is usually pretty good with music.

Vampire Weekend: I wonder if I’ll still like them three months from now…

Datarock: If robots could fuck, they would fuck to the sounds of this Norwegian band.

M.I.A.: Did you pick up Kala? Oh, you did and can’t understand her? Check the lyrics and you’ll feel better.

Little Brother: This hip-hop group from North Carolina began as a trio with producer 9th Wonder, who has since quit. I’m not sure how the guys are doing without him…

MGMT: You will absolutely love this poppy surf rock music for a good couple of months…then corporate America will get a hold of “Time to Pretend” and you will loathe it. Enjoy them while you can.

The Bird and the Bee: I’m only basing this on the free iTunes single I got from them during Christmas. It was a creepy, sort of forlorn version of holiday music and it fit my mood at the time. That and I can’t help having a penchant for indie rock chic handling the vocals.

The Streets: One of the bigger groups here, but I’ve never seen Skinner live and from what I’ve read, he turns every concert into a drunkfest. And what’s going on with his cover of Elton John’s “Your Song” on his Myspace page?

Metric: We got their live DVD that is being released in February. Yea yea, I’m getting around to checking it out. Get off my back.

Holy Fuck: Quite possibiy the best name for a band ever. It’s electronic music, but do you even care? I want a t-shirt dammit!

Black Kids: Another band that was touted on many a music blog. Worth your time, if you’re into a subdued, melodic sound.

Man Man: They are real, they are from Philly, and they play indie circus music. Enjoy.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/Silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters (”Dark Side of the Moon”), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I’m from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen.