Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun performs in the Sahara Tent at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. (Vanessa Franko/Staff)
I’m back out at the Empire Polo Club for the second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Here’s a haiku about how Saturday, April 19, went.
Pharrell sets the bar
Empire of the Sun. Woah
Where is the spaceship?
Here’s my full wrap-up–the haiku-free version–of day 2 of weekend 2 of the festival.
Empire of the Sun: Um, where did they park the spaceship? Is spaceship parking next to the luxury camping over on Lake Eldorado? I mean, I remember how much Empire of the Sun blew me away with the stage theatrics the last time the group played Coachella, but I was not prepared for the spectacle inside the Sahara Tent on Saturday night. The Australian group put on set that could be seen all the way at the back of the tent–which is the size of an airplane hangar. I even think everyone was there to see them, not just waiting for Skrillex.
On stage there were robotic female dancers dressed in blue and so many costumes and headwear and makeup. Usher showed up in the photo pit to watch the spectacle. Seriously, guys–where did you park the spaceship?
See photos of Empire of the Sun at Coachella.
Pharrell Williams: Last year, some of the weekend two folks got frustrated that there weren’t as many special guests from weekend one For example, R. Kelly’s jam with Phoenix. Pharrell Williams did not let another crazy packed field down. If last weekend’s performance by Pharrell was a star-studded affair, he put just as much effort into weekend 2. Among the A-list artists was Usher, who must have left Empire of the Sun early to make it on stage in time. He was one of the new guests this week, as was TI, who joined Williams on “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke still didn’t show, though). However, the biggest cheers were for a guy named Shawn Carter, who you might know as Jay Z. Busta Rhymes was back again, because who doesn’t love Busta?
I would not have been surprised if Madonna (who has been spotted in an area grocery store this weekend) showed up. And since his set had so many cameos it feels like “The Love Boat,” Charo could have made an appearance and it would have worked.
At one point before performing “Get Lucky,” Williams said “Give it up for Daft Punk” and there was a moment of anxious waiting to see if the French robots were there. It was just an appreciation, though. The set, which ended with “Happy,” was just as packed as last week and without the dust storm, even better. Williams was really gracious, too. One of my Twitter followers, @wsixbolter, said it best when he tweeted me last night with “So basically, Pharell just slayed the 2 weekends of Coachella like no other. He has set the BAR.”
My response: pretty much.
Best text of the night, from a friend: “I’m covered in Pharrell-fetti,” after the confetti cannons went off.
From here on, I’ll go chronological with the day.
DJ Lesto: I started my day in the Yuma tent to see DJ Lesto, a.k.a Gabe Real. He has performed at the festival many times over the years–his first appearance in 2001, but I believe this is his first time under the name Lesto, which was his DJ name back in high school.
Every year, I regret not spending more time in the Yuma Tent. It’s air conditioned, the beats are good and the decor is awesome. There are actually couches and you feel like you’re in a nightclub.
Unlocking the Truth: I love metal. I also love how metal these junior high students are. The power trio had a complete command of the audience and played better than most bands out there. I think Motorhead will have a lot to live up to–yes, that’s how good these kids are. I interviewed them after their set. Read my interview with Unlocking the Truth.
Foxygen: Imagine David Johansen of the New York Dolls with psychedelic power pop and jazz hands, and that’s kind of what Foxygen was. Even the malfunction of a keyboard couldn’t bring down the weird, fun energy of this group. Plus they had backup singers–always a plus. See photos of Foxygen at Coachella.
TJR: I enjoyed when 2Pac and Dr. Dre’s “California Love” morphed into AC/DC’s “TNT.” Sahara Tent fun.
French teenage electronic duo Carbon Airways performs in the Sahara Tent on Saturday, April 19, 2014 while a man performs tricks on a bike at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. (Vanessa Franko)
Carbon Airways: The French teenage siblings in Carbon Airways are one to watch. Lots of energy from them in the Sahara Tent and the music is really, really good. They also had a guy perform bike tricks on stage with them. See photos of Carbon Airways at Coachella.
The Head and the Heart: The group was a perfect fit for the late afternoon sun on the Outdoor Theatre and sprawling on the grass and soaking up the sun and the music was a much needed respite. Also, they had a super fan who danced and did cartwheels in the crowd. She was loving it.
Future Islands: What a weird, wonderful band. Electronic and rock but more moody, the real fun is watching the expressions and squatting dance moves of singer Samuel T. Herring. They were also very appreciative of the opportunity to play Coachella and the audience that spilled out of the tent.
“This is a beautiful event we’ve been having so much fun,” Herring said. “It’s an honor to be up on this stage.”
I caught Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and comedian/actor Dave Foley in the crowd, too.
Solange: So everyone showed up to see if Beyonce would come out again with her sister (she didn’t), but Solange was delightful, bouncing across the stage and just beaming with energy and great grooves. She also might win best dressed of the festival this weekend. See the photos of Solange. Also, OutKast’s Andre 3000 was watching her from the barricade in front of the stage. .
Pixies: Caught more of the Pixies’ set than I did last week, but “Wave of Mutilation” still rocked. I thought what i heard last week was a little stronger, but this was still solid.
Empire of the Sun and Pharrell: See the top of the entry. I am still looking for Empire of the Sun’s spaceship.
Pet Shop Boys: Britain’s finest put on another spectacle, but I left before there was any antler action this week. I did really enjoy when they played “Opportunities.” I just couldn’t skip another rare opportunity to see the band I closed my night with.
Travis Morrison of The Dismemberment Plan performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. (Vanessa Franko/Staff)
The Dismemberment Plan: Another intimate set, but everyone there agreed that it the Washington D.C. band’s set was the best thing they’d seen all day.
“Did we just do a duet with Skrillex? And Nas? It’s like the Three Tenors. But skinnier for the most part,” singer Travis Morrison joked about the sound bleed in between songs.
“The Ice of Boston” is always a great point in the set, but I was stoked to hear “Back and Forth,” which we didn’t get last week. Singer Travis Morrison taking off his belt and whipping his guitar as the band broke into part of OutKast’s “Ms. Jackson.” As the show ended, the power was cut off, but The Plan kept rocking out. Great, great way to end my night. See photos of The Dismemberment Plan at Coachella.