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The time has come, when the mass exodus of Los Angeles ignites the weekend of what has become a staple for music lovers, trendsetters, and increasing number of teens alike: Coachella. For those who have braved the desert heat in previous years, the crowds, long beer tent lines, growing number of unchaperoned rugrats and mounds of swirling dust are nothing short of expected components. With this year’s eclectic lineup of headliners, from rock legends The Stone Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers, to 90’s rap posse Jurassic 5, to discothèque tunes of Two Door Cinema Club, there was no shortage of good shows and fun times.

Setting aside my opinion on multiple weekends and increasing prices for tickets, Coachella is an experience and a great one at that. For however large it has grown, the festival grounds remain to be high energy and accessible to everyone. The 170 acts (plus or minus a few), spread across three action-packed days, can be overwhelming. The fact is it’s impossible to catch everyone. Which is unfortunate. However, not everyone can rise to the occasion and deliver a banger set in front of thousands of fans, so we are back on top. The real key for any overlap of desired sets to see is head to the opener of one, and the ending of another. Or in my case, the beginning of Eriz Prydz and the last song of Red Hot Chili Peppers because he was just that good. Here are a few of the weekend highlights.

Day 1:

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Alt-J. These guys were one of many bands that started their set with, “This is the biggest show we’ve performed yet.” They’ve earned their keep with their latest album An Awesome Wave and captured a crowd full of surfer dudes and hipsters in hawaiian shirts. They started off a bit rocky (nerves, they are in fact real), but found their groove & launched into an incredible performance of “Fitzpleasure”. Standout song: “Dissolve Me”

Passion PIt

Passion Pit, is that you? Call me nuts, but I still think these guys have it (After the continuous cancellation of shows in 2012, I wasn’t sure they were going to make it). They came out with high energy and got the crowd shaking, and their Friday sunset set made a huge statement that it will take more than a few bumps in the road to dismantle this group. They bounced back between hits from the Gossamer album and classics from Manners, ending on a high note with their oldie but goodie “Little Secrets”. Standout song: “Take A Walk”

                                                                                             Day 2:

hotchipHot Chip. While I am biased with this highlight as I have been jazzed on Hot Chip for years, they hands down delivered the best set of the weekend. They walk the line of indie rock, electronic and pseudo psychedelica so well, it makes for a crowd that you can look to your right and guys in Airwalks and tye-dye are jamming out just as much as the gals in too-short jean shorts and bikinis to your left. It’s great. They played hits from their most recent album In Our Heads and dabbled into the top notch tunes from One Night Stand and The Warning, before erupting into a knock-your-socks-off finale of “I Feel Better”. Standout song: “Over and Over”

2DoorTwo Door Cinema Club. It seems as though they’ve been around more than just shy of three years, and their crazy fun set reminded me why Two Door is already ranked as a headlining artist. They played a bunch of tracks off their older album Tourist which was a real treat, and made for a sea of dancing on-lookers. Standout song: “What You Know”

                                                                       Day 3:

IMG_0926Tanlines. Another group that has (rightfully so) blown up over the past year, with their electro-dance, almost Caribbean (?) vibe. These Brooklyn boys have not stopped touring and playing all around the world, and it has paid off in their flawless stage performance. When you’re watching, you can’t help but pick your jaw up off the floor once you’ve been reminded that there’s only 2 of them. Standout song: “All Of Me”

 

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Eric Prydz. Such a fun cap-off to the weekend. While most of the time I was trying hard to avoid the sweaty, absurdly over-crowded Sahara tent, this was a set that I was happy to have not missed. The creator of the dance hit “Call On Me” delivered such an explosive set & ended the weekend on a high note. Evidently, the internationally acclaimed DJ hates to fly & thus this show became one show-goers should not have missed.

 

The whirlwind (wind being the opportune word, especially come Sunday) of the weekend can be lamely summed up as, “Bands play, and they play, and they encore, and they play, and there’s whooping, and whooping,” but as you’re walking out at 1AM covered in sand, ears mildly ringing, it’s hard to leave without a smile on your face.

— Allie Krummel

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