Coachella has now offered the last bit of info in preparation for this weekend’s festivities: the set times. So who is stoked and who got screwed? Let’s analyze:
Friday:
The biggest surprise has to be The Chemical Brothers closing out the main stage and not Kings of Leon. This should be a fun way to end the first night of partying of the weekend. The Mojave has a strong afternoon with Cold Cave -> The Drums -> The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, but I’d suggest staying outside, where Titus Andronicus, Warpaint, and Tame Impala get a chance to play for the big crowd they deserve. Biggest conflicts? The Black Keys just after dark on the Coachella stage versus Cut Copy in the Mojave. WTF moment? Odd Future in the Sahara and Interpol at sunset are both a little weird.
Saturday:
The second day seems to have gotten everything right. For an indie-ish rock fan, seeing Broken Social Scene -> Bright Eyes -> Mumford & Sons -> Animal Collective -> Arcade Fire is pretty perfect. For the daytime, the Gobi may be a great sleeper choice, with The Joy Formidable -> Cults -> The Tallest Man On Earth -> The Radio Dept. -> Glasser. Biggest conflict? Nothing too serious, but camping out at the main stage means missing The Kills, The New Pornographers, and Big Audio Dynamite at the Outdoor Theatre. WTF moment? Wire in the Gobi is a little cruel, but Bright Eyes at sunset will kill.
Sunday:
This day seems a little more all over the place. We know that Kanye closing out the festival is the place to be (unless you like She Wants Revenge…), but otherwise, there are more tough choices to make. The day could start in the Mojave for Phosphorescent and Twin Shadow, but from there, the Gobi seems to take over with Delorean and OFF! Coachella Stage and Outdoor Theatre both pack decent night lineups, with the former offering Death From Above 1979 -> Duran Duran -> The Strokes -> Kanye West, though none of them really relate to each other. For a more connected night, the series of Jimmy Eat World -> Best Coast -> The National -> Chromeo -> PJ Harvey might be a better bet (and then run over to Kanye, of course). Biggest Conflict: Duran Duran versus The National will bum out some, as will The Strokes versus Chromeo versus Ratatat versus Phantogram. WTF moment? DFA 1979 at 6pm is just wrong. But at least you get two sunset acts to choose from, and I like The National over Duran Duran.
Have fun, be safe, take pictures, and bring back stories.
