Coachella: Day-by-Day Guide
Coachella: the Big Kahuna. A festival that covers all genres of music and in a massive way. SIX different stages, TWO weekends, live streaming for everyone to enjoy globally, and some of the biggest names in music just adding a little more heat to the desert. Since it’s inauguration in 1999, the festival has grown exponentially and just will not stop.
Alongside the festival this year are pool parties, after parties, celebrities, surprise guest performances, fashion, and the list will forever continue. However, I am writing this article to breakdown the MUST SEE acts of Coachella 2015. Oh, and I am not keeping myself in one realm of music, I will breakdown all sorts of acts that I believe are must see. Coachella is where artists come to play and bring everything they got, so for all the Coachella goers, you are all in for a treat. Here are my 12 must see acts for Coachella this year.
FRIDAY
Steely Dan: Steely Dan, the band that your parents use to listen to at their parties and get togethers. Inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, this legendary act is something I wouldn’t want to miss and bummed I am. This is not just your ordinary 70s band but rather one of the most successful & advanced bands of their time. If you want to take a psychedelic trip through music then Steely Dan is a definite must see at Coachella.
Alesso: The Stockholm DJ is ready to drop a new album very soon, so you can expect his show to bring out all the big guns! At a young age he has already worked with some of the biggest names in EDM, such as Calvin Harris & Sebastian Ingrosso, and now he is taking on Coachella as one of the main headliners and one of the biggest names at this year’s festival. It can be argued that his set will be the best EDM set at Coachella this year.
Flying Lotus: Flying Lotus, the man who can’t do no wrong. I saw him at FYF Fest 2014 and his show was visually stunning and his music was mind blowing. He has been working with Kendrick Lamar on his most recent album To Pimp A Butterfly so will there be Kendrick Lamar sighting? I do not know but I do know he brought out Earl Sweatshirt at FYF and he brought the house down. With his chilling yet bass driven beats, be prepared for one hell of a show.
Tame Impala: The Indie Rock band is about release a new album as well by the name of Currents so I expect a lot of new music on top of their classics. Many people go to Coachella for the live acts rather than the DJ performances, and I must say this one will be at the top of many of those people’s list. Tame Impala is a band that reminds me of MGMT, can rock out but can also slow down the tempo. Either way, Tame Impala & new music in the same sentence sounds great to me.
SATURDAY
Axwell Ʌ Ingrosso: Two of the three original Swedish House Mafia members have been tearing it up with their new tour and new music. Traveling around the world and bringing a new experience to the fans, their show at Coachella should equal, if not top all of those performances combined. New music won’t be the only thing their show will offer; it will definitely include some stunning and custom visuals that may just blow your mind literally.
Deorro: The Pandafunk headman is calling quits on DJing very soon, and I can basically just say that is the reason why to see him at Coachella. But to elaborate more, his music is really taking flight with huge collabs with the likes of Steve Aoki, Diplo & Chris Brown in the past year. Surprise performance by Chris Brown? If so, it may have the ladies just wishing for “Five More Hours” of his set. And oh by the way, the legendary drummer Travis Barker already teased he will be there for his set for a special performance, what is stopping Deorro from bringing out more guests?
Tyler, The Creator: This guy can do it all. From television, to just releasing his own app & magazine a few days ago, to making some incredible hip hop, and now onward to Coachella. He also just so happened to drop the news of his new album Cherry Bomb this week that included two new songs “Deathcamp” & “F*cking Young/Perfect”. He has previous works with Pharrell Williams, and it seems his new album may include more of that. Did I forget to mention last time Tyler, The Creator was at Coachella, he brought out a slew of surprise guests?
Alison Wonderland: This lady is a shark. Her newest and debut album Run is absolutely amazing and is straight in your face “I am a girl and so what? Can you keep up?”. Trap heavy bass and synths that will send shivers down your spine alongside her powerful vocals, she will be one of the best female acts at Coachella in general, even with this being her first Coachella ever.
SUNDAY
Drake: His first Coachella performance and he is closing the whole festival out? This may be Drake’s biggest live show ever, as he is one to roll deep with his crew, I can 100% guarantee guest performances from some of the biggest names in hip hop and that is without him even announcing any details regarding his show. Drake has become a worldwide icon and will just cement his name in the legacy of past hip hop performances at Coachella alongside Kanye West & Dr. Dre.
KASKADE: How can you not love KASKADE? Personally he is one of my favorite DJs and I can put him in the top 3 each time, but why see him at Coachella? One reason is that he just released a new song by the name of “Never Sleep Alone” which hints at more new music. Another would be is that he has been in the game for quite some time and has been one to release consistent great and universally loved music. I hope he does more than shut down Coachella, I hope he makes it his best show ever.
Madeon: The kid has a new album by the name of Adventure and he is ready to take you on that adventure at Coachella. One of the youngest EDM acts there, he is sure to make a name for himself in the Coachella history books. He has a different style of EDM that seems to work and differentiate himself from everyone else in an obvious way. His unique sound teenage dream sound with sprinkles of Daft Punk will indeed be something you would rather not miss.
Gesaffelstein: Named after two intellectual concepts, Gesaffelstein will be performing his LAST show at Coachella. Gesamtkunstwerk is the German ideal universal artwork and Albert Einstein is the ultimate example of human intellect, put the two together you get Gesaffelstein. He has done some major work with some of the world’s biggest names in music. He is one of the primary producers on Kanye West’s album Yeezus. Now he will tear up a festival one last time, and one hell of festival to pick to close it all out.
To all the people going to Coachella, enjoy yourselves, be safe, and fully immerse yourself in the music! Wish I could be there….guess the mission for 2016 will be to get to #Coachella2016.
AUTHOR CREDIT: JOSEPH LOZOYA