The 2016 Coachella Music & Arts Festival starts in just two days, and once again, I find myself yearning to go (next year, definitely!). While I so wish I could go, I hope everyone who is going has loads of fun. If you're a little unfamiliar with the lineup, then check this list out. There are three great headliners this year--LCD Soundsystem, Guns 'n' Roses featuring Axl Rose along with Slash and Duff McKagan, and EDM superstar Calvin Harris--but I'm going to steer past the headliners and give you a list of undercard acts that I personally think you should catch at Coachella when you're not stalking celebrities.
Sufjan Stevens
Friday; Outdoor Stage; 8:45 - 9:35 pm
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens will be playing on the Outdoor Stage right before Jack U. He is, I think, one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of our generation, and he absolutely deserves your attendance at his set. While he'll most likely be playing songs from his heartbreaking album Carrie & Lowell, he will likely play some other songs from classics like The Age of Adz or Illinois, or even a cover of "Hotline Bling".
Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens will be playing on the Outdoor Stage right before Jack U. He is, I think, one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of our generation, and he absolutely deserves your attendance at his set. While he'll most likely be playing songs from his heartbreaking album Carrie & Lowell, he will likely play some other songs from classics like The Age of Adz or Illinois, or even a cover of "Hotline Bling".
Underworld
Friday; Sahara Stage; 7:35 - 8:45 pm
British dance group Underworld, comprised of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, will be performing in the Sahara Tent, and no doubt this will be the party of the weekend. The group hardly ever tours in the United States, so if you live in the United States, this may be your only real chance to see the group without having to travel overseas. Hell, go just for "Born Slippy".
British dance group Underworld, comprised of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, will be performing in the Sahara Tent, and no doubt this will be the party of the weekend. The group hardly ever tours in the United States, so if you live in the United States, this may be your only real chance to see the group without having to travel overseas. Hell, go just for "Born Slippy".
Ice Cube
Saturday; Coachella Stage; 9:05 - 10:00 pm
NWA reunion, anyone?
NWA reunion, anyone?
Savages
Friday; Mojave Tent; 9:35 - 10:25 pm
All-girl British post-punk outfit Savages will be playing a set at Coachella. I'll be seeing them live myself this summer at Shaky Knees in Atlanta, and I definitely can't wait for them. If you're into Nick Cave or Joy Division, then Savages will definitely be worth your while.
All-girl British post-punk outfit Savages will be playing a set at Coachella. I'll be seeing them live myself this summer at Shaky Knees in Atlanta, and I definitely can't wait for them. If you're into Nick Cave or Joy Division, then Savages will definitely be worth your while.
Mavis Staples
Friday; Gobi Tent; 2:10 - 3:00 pm
Soul singer Mavis Staples has probably the most longevity of any act on the lineup this year. With a career spanning back into the 50s, this is a good chance to catch one of the premier soul singers of our grandparents' generation.
Soul singer Mavis Staples has probably the most longevity of any act on the lineup this year. With a career spanning back into the 50s, this is a good chance to catch one of the premier soul singers of our grandparents' generation.
Shamir
Saturday; Gobi Tent; midnight
Online indie magazine Flavorwire does annual year-end album lists called "Stereotyping You By Your Favorite Album of [Year]". Last year's list included an entry for Shamir's debut album ratchet, in which it described those who called it their favorite album as "kids who are always out 'till sunrise but are somehow still fine for work a few hours later." Indeed, that is the vibe that I get from the album myself. If you're looking for a super-fun dance party, then Shamir may just be the most fun you have all weekend.
Online indie magazine Flavorwire does annual year-end album lists called "Stereotyping You By Your Favorite Album of [Year]". Last year's list included an entry for Shamir's debut album ratchet, in which it described those who called it their favorite album as "kids who are always out 'till sunrise but are somehow still fine for work a few hours later." Indeed, that is the vibe that I get from the album myself. If you're looking for a super-fun dance party, then Shamir may just be the most fun you have all weekend.
SOPHIE
Saturday; Yuma Tent; 3:45 - 4:45 pm
PC Music affiliate SOPHIE will be giving a DJ set in the Yuma Tent. Having already produced songs for Madonna and Charli XCX, SOPHIE's set will be one of the wildest of the weekend, with his beats ranging from odd arpeggios to hard-hitting trap bangers.
Note: Above song is Charli XCX produced by SOPHIE.
PC Music affiliate SOPHIE will be giving a DJ set in the Yuma Tent. Having already produced songs for Madonna and Charli XCX, SOPHIE's set will be one of the wildest of the weekend, with his beats ranging from odd arpeggios to hard-hitting trap bangers.
Note: Above song is Charli XCX produced by SOPHIE.
Beach House
Sunday; Outdoor Theatre; 8:15 - 9:05
Indie pop duo Beach House will be giving one of the perfect end-of-festival sets of the weekend. Seeing as they're playing after the sun's gone down, this is a great chance to relax a little bit before you dance the night away with Calvin Harris.
Indie pop duo Beach House will be giving one of the perfect end-of-festival sets of the weekend. Seeing as they're playing after the sun's gone down, this is a great chance to relax a little bit before you dance the night away with Calvin Harris.
Ibeyi
Friday; Mojave Tent; 4:55 - 5:40 pm
French-Cuban duo Ibeyi (pronounced ee-BAY-ee) are one of the most compelling acts on this year's lineup. The group fuses their world music with smooth, downtempo electronica and soul. If you're looking to relax early on in the festival, I would definitely recommend checking this group out, especailly because they aren't playing many festivals this year.
French-Cuban duo Ibeyi (pronounced ee-BAY-ee) are one of the most compelling acts on this year's lineup. The group fuses their world music with smooth, downtempo electronica and soul. If you're looking to relax early on in the festival, I would definitely recommend checking this group out, especailly because they aren't playing many festivals this year.
Chris Stapleton
Sunday; Gobi Tent; 7:10 - 8:00 pm
Nashville country artist Chris Stapleton was honestly one of this year's best grabs for Coachella. I've seen him live myself, and I can attest that he is absolutely just as good--if not better--live as he is on record. Seeing as this is Coachella, an appearance by his pal Justin Timberlake seems pretty likely.
Nashville country artist Chris Stapleton was honestly one of this year's best grabs for Coachella. I've seen him live myself, and I can attest that he is absolutely just as good--if not better--live as he is on record. Seeing as this is Coachella, an appearance by his pal Justin Timberlake seems pretty likely.
Kamasi Washington
Sunday; Outdoor Theatre; 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Jazz isn't really big at Coachella, but seeing as Kamasi Washington just put out a hugely successful jazz record last year with The Epic, putting him at Coachella only makes sense. His psychedelic take on jazz music absolutely fits in with the vibes at Coachella, and if you're looking to chill out a little after a long weekend of partying and raging, then Kamasi Washington is one of your best options there.
Jazz isn't really big at Coachella, but seeing as Kamasi Washington just put out a hugely successful jazz record last year with The Epic, putting him at Coachella only makes sense. His psychedelic take on jazz music absolutely fits in with the vibes at Coachella, and if you're looking to chill out a little after a long weekend of partying and raging, then Kamasi Washington is one of your best options there.
Volbeat
Coachella usually tends to have a few heavier/punkier acts on their lineup (note that they also have Rancid playing this year), and Danish metal band Volbeat definitely fits that bill. They are inspired by 50s rock 'n' roll such as Elvis and Chuck Berry. While they aren't huge here in the United States, they are rock superstars overseas in Europe, and will be headlining the massive Rock am Ring in Germany this summer. If you're looking to headbang a little bit, don't hesitate to check out Volbeat.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Saturday; Mojave Tent; 8:10 - 9:00 pm
Another band I'm seeing at Shaky Knees this summer, Aussie psychedelic rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra will be playing a set at Coachella this year. If you're looking to chill out a little bit before Ice Cube and Guns 'n' Roses, I would highly recommend giving this set a listen.
Courtney Barnett
Saturday; Outdoor Theatre; 6:45 - 7:35 pm
Another awesome Aussie indie rocker on the lineup is singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett. I saw her live at Firefly in 2014 after she had released her A Sea Of Split Peas EP. While she's released some new music since then, she was awesome then, and she'll be awesome again.
Another awesome Aussie indie rocker on the lineup is singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett. I saw her live at Firefly in 2014 after she had released her A Sea Of Split Peas EP. While she's released some new music since then, she was awesome then, and she'll be awesome again.
ZHU
Saturday; Sahara Tent; 10:45 - 11:35 pm
Electronic artist ZHU will be giving his set at the Sahara Tent on Saturday night at Coachella. While the Sahara is usually reserved for the bigger-name EDM artists, having a more chilled-out artist like ZHU playing in the tent will be a nice change of pace for those who have wanted to make it into the Sahara Tent but never could.
Electronic artist ZHU will be giving his set at the Sahara Tent on Saturday night at Coachella. While the Sahara is usually reserved for the bigger-name EDM artists, having a more chilled-out artist like ZHU playing in the tent will be a nice change of pace for those who have wanted to make it into the Sahara Tent but never could.
Death Grips
Sunday; Gobi Tent; 9:30 - 10:20 pm
Internet memes aside, punk-rap trio Death Grips will likely be the most intense show of the weekend. If you'd like to skip Calvin Harris for something a little more difficult, this will definitely fit the bill. MC Ride will definitely be going crazy on stage, and since this set takes place at night, it will no doubt be one of the scariest sets of the weekend.
Internet memes aside, punk-rap trio Death Grips will likely be the most intense show of the weekend. If you'd like to skip Calvin Harris for something a little more difficult, this will definitely fit the bill. MC Ride will definitely be going crazy on stage, and since this set takes place at night, it will no doubt be one of the scariest sets of the weekend.
That's it folks! Some honorable mentions from the lineup that I'd also recommend include Deafheaven, Tokimonsta, Anderson .Paak & the Free Nationals, Bat For Lashes, Algiers, DMA's, and Skepta. To those heading out to California this weekend and next: Have a fun, safe trip, and I hope to see you there next year!