Coachella 2013: Baauer gives audience chance to perform ‘Harlem Shake’ on second day of fest

Coachella 2013: Baauer gives audience chance to perform ‘Harlem Shake’

Posted:   04/13/2013 06:50:14 PM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 04:00:21 AM PDT

 

Baauer performed on the Sahara Tent at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Thomas Cordova/ Staff photographer)

Photos: Photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Photos: Baauer performs at Coachella
Special Section: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival


INDIO – Philadelphia artist Baauer gave the packed Sahara Tent audience a couple of chances to perform his viral hit “Harlem Shake” Saturday afternoon.Real name Harry Bauer Rodrigues, Baauer’s blend of trap, electronic and bass music mixed with images of eyes, fire and his name drew thunderous applause during his one hour set.

Baauer teased the audience at the start with a 30 second blend of “Harlem Shake” before taking his music into different directions that featured vocal snippets from reggae, hip-hop and soul.

He would also spin in hip-hop songs like Jay-Z’s “Dirt Off Your Shoulder” and T.I.’s “Bring Em Out” to applause, body surfing and a thrusting of various faces on cardboard taped to plastic poles.

Baauer started his afternoon set spinning on the side of a massive stage and before he played “Harlem Shake” the music stopped and he disappeared. Moments later he was standing before the center of the stage behind turntables and played his hit for three minutes straight.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Los Angeles hip-hop group Jurassic 5 reunites at festival on first day

Coachella 2013: Los Angeles hip-hop group Jurassic 5 reunites at festival

Posted:   04/13/2013 05:02:19 PM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 03:59:21 AM PDT

 

Jurassic 5 perform Friday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Jurassic 5 perform Friday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (Jennifer Maher/staff photographer)

Photos: Photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Photos: Jurassic 5 Performs at Coachella
Special Section: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival


INDIO – Los Angeles hip-hop group Jurassic 5 successfully reunited at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to a large audience at the Outdoor Theatre on Friday night.Group members arrived on stage one by one introducing themselves to the audience to cheers before they performed many of their greatest hits that spanned 1999’s “Improvise” off their self-titled debut album to 2000’s “Quality Control” off the album of the same name and “2003’s “Freedom” off Power in Numbers and more.

The group disbanded in 2007, about a year after their album “Feedback” was in stores. The group had been around since 1995. Additionally, original member DJ Cut Chemist was not featured on “Feedback” and left sometime before the 2006 album was released.

On Friday, the group reunited for the most part like they had never been away. At one point, DJ’s Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist cut and scratch on a large, must-be-seen-to-be-believed record with a Jurassic 5 logo that looked like a stage prop when the set started to massive cheers.

Both DJ’s also used mobile devices at another part in the set to cut, scratch and make drum sounds away from their turntables. Cut Chemist had a brief bit of trouble trying to get his device on but eventually figured it out.

Additionally, the group would also mix in different breakbeats and pieces of other songs such as Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” to rhyme over which led to dancing and head nodding.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Friday headliners of Blur, The Stone Roses and How to Destroy Angels disappoint on first day of festival

Coachella 2013: Friday headliners of Blur, The Stone Roses and How to Destroy Angels disappoint

Posted:   04/13/2013 01:42:34 PM PDT
Updated:   04/13/2013 09:04:16 PM PDT

 

The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown performs at Coachella on Friday night. (Jennifer Maher/staff photographer)

Photos: Photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Photos: Blur performs at Coachella
Photos: The Stone Roses Perform at Coachella
Special Section: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival


INDIO – The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival headliners of Blur, The Stone Roses and How to Destroy Angels were each disappointing in their own way Friday night.Blur, the innovative London alternative rock and Brit pop band, drew a clearly smaller than probably expected crowd to the main Coachella stage when they hit the stage at 10 p.m. Friday night. There was plenty of room for fans to sit down and take a break before the performance, which is a rarity for a Coachella main stage headliner.

But audience members ran to the group’s set when Blur performed the uptempo “Boys & Girls” but the rest of the set lost steam with slower tracks or the group’s overall lack of charisma despite the antics of lead singer Damon Albarn, with eyes that looked red and facial expressions went from dazed to crazed when as he performed.

The group performed “There’s No Other Way,” “Country House,” “Tracy Jacks,” “Beetlebum,” “Out of Time” and “Coffee & TV” among others but fans kept noticably leaving despite the elaborate light show and core group of fans who knew all of the songs line for line.

Perhaps if the set started with a different song to lessen expectations or the song selection was a bit different but things didn’t flow well after a great starting song so I left after awhile to see the reunion of Los Angeles hip-hop group Jurassic 5 on the adjacent stage.

Meanwhile, English alternative rock band The Stone Roses were even worse than Blur on the main stage in terms of lack of audience. If you wanted, you could go up near the front of the stage to see The Stone Roses because the crowd was that small.

Vocalist Ian Brown is not a great singer and that was more than evident Friday night with his performances on songs like “I Wanna Be Adored,” Sally Cinnamon” and “Ten Storey Love Song” so I left the set early. The Stone Roses’ band sounded great for the most part but their overall performance of vocals and instrumentals was not coming together so I left to catch “How to Destroy Angels.”

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor’s How to Destroy Angels started off promising with a set that featured the band behind a screen which was great for fans but obviously bad for photographers because you could not see the group’s faces.

Group members could not be seen, in a creative way, as computer images would change the outfits and look of the band in time to the brooding music.

But after the computer tricks, a band comes down to music and experimental and industrial act How to Destroy Angels was unremarkable.

Reznor’s wife Mariqueen Maandig, who previously was a vocalist for West Indian Girl, was the primary vocalist and her higher-pitched sound did not really fit the darker music. Reznor would also sing at times but his heavier style and Maandig’s clash in a negative “which member do I listen to” way.

The best example of this is “And The Sky Began to Scream” where Maandig sings “Worn the skin off both my knees/Waited oh so patiently” and the song on Friday ended with Reznor’s “I will, tear it down, to the ground, and build another one” and the screen in front of the band then was briefly opened.

Outside of the visual, which looked really good, the lyrics just came off as awkward because Maandig and Reznor didn’t seem to connect vocally and the end point was a plastic looking screen opening. Additionally, the Mojave Tent where the group performed had plenty of space to watch the group.

The instrumentals also made me wonder what Reznor could do on his own outside the group dynamic because there are some great instrumentals which would fit him perfectly but others just seem made for Maandig and her voice.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Of Monsters and Men pack Outdoor Theatre on festival’s first day

Coachella 2013: Of Monsters and Men pack Outdoor Theatre

Liset Márquez, Staff writer
Posted:   04/13/2013 02:03:00 PM PDT
Updated:   04/13/2013 09:05:18 PM PDT

 

Of Monsters and Men perform at the Outdoor Theatre on Friday, April 13, 2013 (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Photos: Photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Photos: Of Monsters and Men Perform at Coachella
Special Section: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival


INDIO – It’s that quintessential Coachella moment – the temperatures are starting to cool, beach balls are flying in the air and your favorite band is on the stage.In this case, playing through

Of Monsters and Men (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

it all was Icelandic indie/folk band Of Monsters and Men who seemed to be soaking up every minute of it.The six piece band has shot to fame in the last year due in part to their song “Little Talks,” which has brought them international success.

The band’s performance in the Outdoor Theatre late Friday afternoon included singles “Lion Heart” and “From Finner” from their debut album My Head Is An Animal.

The group packed one of the largest crowds of the day. Singers Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar þórhallsson were often joined by fans who were singing along for several of the band’s set.

At one point, during “Lakehouse,” Hilmarsdóttir left the microphone and came out to the edge of the stage to sing to the crowd.

Hilmarsdóttir’s positive disposition was imminent as she swayed back and forth while singing and danced around the stage.

The highlight might have come when Of Monsters and Men performed “Little Talks,” when the audience -at one point over powered the band -serenading them with the chorus. It was obvious Hilmarsdóttir and þórhallsson were enjoying the moment, as they exchanged glances and smiles during the performance.

“We’re happy to be out here and hope to make it an annual thing,” she said. “Thank you, Coachella.”

Maybe we should be thanking them. With that performance summer is, unofficially, in full force. At least for the thousands at Coachella this weekend and next.

Coachella 2013: LA acts Lord Huron and Local Natives play first day of fest

Coachella 2013: LA acts Lord Huron and Local Natives play first day of fest

Liset Márquez, Staff writer
Posted:   04/13/2013 11:26:23 AM PDT
Updated:   04/13/2013 08:59:47 PM PDT

 

Lord Huron plays the Gobi Tent on the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Taylor Rice of Local Natives (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Photos: Photos from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival
Photos: Lord Huron Performs at Coachella
Photos: Local Natives performs at Coachella
Special Section: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival


INDIO -It was a strong performance by Los Angeles’ own indie rock band Local Natives whose set included a mixture of songs from their debut album “Gorilla Manor” as well as their latest “Hummingbird” on the Outdoor Theatre Friday night.Known for a style of music that clashes the harmonies of its trio of singers with that of the beats of the band, the Silverlake band were in full force.

A foot-stomping and head-nodding Taylor Rice, and the rest of his bandmates who were just as energetic, ripped through singles “World News” Airplanes” from their debut album. They also included selection from their latest effort, “Hummingbird” such as the song”Ceilings.”

If you have seen them before then you know the band plays with such a intensity that you almost felt like this was their last. Friday was no different wooing the audience for their for nearly 40 minutes.

Friday’s set marked their return to the three-day music festival since 2010.

As Rice noted to the crowd, “This is a very special moment.” The band then band broke into their last song “Sun Hands” while the sun set.

Earlier in the day Lord Huron, another LA-based band, rocked the Gobi tent. Fronted by Ben Schneider, the indie folk band wasted no time in getting things going at Coachella, which is no easy task for early acts.

The audience was singing and dancing along almost from the moment Schneider, Mark Barry (percussion, vocals), Miguel Briseno (bass, percussion), and Tom Renaud (guitar, vocals) got on stage.

And Schneider seemed to acknowledge and feed off that energy.

Throughout the set, Schneider roamed around the stage while jamming with his bandmates and at one point broke his drum sticks with his knees.

To show his appreciation, and just before leaving the stage, Schneider looked backed at the crowd and tipped his hat to them.

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Purity delivers rap-influenced set

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Purity delivers rap-influenced set

By Liset Marquez, staff writer
Posted:   04/20/2013 10:54:37 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 10:55:41 AM PDT
INDIO – At Coachella you’ve come to expect the unexpected.

Which is why inside the Gobi tent were not at all surprised when rapper Danny Brown joined Purity Ring on stage for a song. Or that the band covered Souja Boy’s “Grammy” during their set on the Gobi tent.

Brown joined the Canadia electric duo – James and Corin Roddick – for “Belispeak II” a project the three had worked on together late last year.

The fast paced nature of Brown’s rap style was a nice contrast to the synthpop melodies of Megan James.

Their set included “Lofticries” “Fineshrine” as well as “Ungirthed.”

Coachella 2013: Idaho’s Youth Lagoon draws large crowd despite afternoon heat

Coachella 2013: Idaho’s Youth Lagoon draws large crowd despite afternoon heat

Posted:   04/19/2013 02:45:41 PM PDT
Updated:   04/19/2013 07:13:07 PM PDT

INDIO – Boise, Idaho indie rock act Youth Lagoon attracted a sizable crowd to the Mojave Tent Friday afternoon at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival despite the 86 degree weather inside the tightly packed area.

Youth Lagoon’s lead singer Trevor Powers, who has a tattoo of the state of Idaho on his forearm, overcame a poor microphone system that made his lyrics barely audible at times using a combination of dream pop and an engaging stage presence.

“You always get the biggest response when you just say Coachella,” Powers said to cheers, of course, at one point late in the set. The group finished about five minutes early off their 45 minute set and then thanked the audience.

Youth Lagoon’s set included “Dropla” and “Raspberry Cane” off the 2013 album “Woundrous Bughouse” as well as “17” off 2011’s “The Year of Hibernation.”

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Shouting Matches rock Gobi tent

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Shouting Matches rock Gobi tent

By Liset Marquez
Posted:   04/19/2013 03:35:18 PM PDT
Updated:   04/19/2013 03:44:39 PM PDT

 

The Shouting Matches perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Daily Bulletin (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher)

The Shouting Matches perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Daily Bulletin (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher)

Photos: The Shouting Matches performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Free of the delays that plagued their set last weekend, the Shouting Matches, featuring Justin Vernon, rocked the Gobi tent.The Shouting Matches, which draws heavy on garage rock and blues, is a big departure for Vernon the front man of indie rock band Bon Iver.

In this side project for Vernon, mostly gone is his high pitched falsetto voice –making only a rare appearance during the set — and instead a more soulful, deeper sounding voice .

Vernon seemed to enjoy his guitar solos, dropping to his knees as he jammed during a song. The band hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin and is comprised of drummer Brian Moen, guitarist Phil Cook and Vernon.

 

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Canadian acts Metric and Stars deliver electrifying set

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Canadian acts Metric and Stars deliver electrifying set

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Posted:   04/20/2013 12:52:28 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 10:41:33 AM PDT

 

Stars performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Daily Bulletin (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher)

Photos: Stars performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Canadian acts Stars and Metric delivered electrifying sets during Friday’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.It started first with a performance from baroque pop acts Stars who delivered one of those fun, carefree sets that leave you walking away singing their songs.

The band had a playful banter with the crowd, even throwing rose petals at them and each other. Just before “Your Ex-Lover is Dead,” Torquil Campbell dedicated the song to “everybody’s publicist”.

At one time during the song, Torquil was shouting the chorus lyrics. It was also one of the many songs that those in attendance sang along to and band members Amy Millan and Torquil had no problem turning the microphone over to the crowd.

Stars, who were billed to perform at the same time as British musician Johnny Marr – former member of The Smiths – took some time to briefly acknowledge him.

Torquil dedicated The Smiths’ “Real Around the Fountain” to Marr who he felt is the best guitarist out there.

Before leaving the stage, Torquil thanked the “crowd for being good to each other.”

Stressed the message just before walking off the stage “Have a great weekend, look after each other.”

The band was followed on the Coachella stage by electrifying set from fellow Canadian act Metric.

Lead singer Emily Haines stole the show, often dancing from one side of the stage to the other, and hen getting back to the keyboard during the set.

Dressed in short black shorts with a cream-colored top, Haines wore gold framed sunglasses as she rocked out to single such as “Breathing Underwater” and “Dead Disco.”

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Modest Mouse finishes set with minutes to spare

Coachella 2013 Weekend Two: Modest Mouse finishes set with minutes to spare

Posted:   04/19/2013 09:23:06 PM PDT
Updated:   04/19/2013 11:55:48 PM PDT

 

Modest Mouse performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Daily Bulletin (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher)

Photos: Modest Mouse performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – With minutes to spare, Modest Mouse finished its set Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with little issue this time.Last week, the social world was abuzz after the Coachella stage act was cut off for going on too long. The band was in the midst of performing its wildly popular hit “Float On,” when the sound was cut.

The band, perhaps making a statement, played “Float On” early in its set.

But there was no reference to last week’s incident. Instead, singer Isaac Brock made small talk by asking “Coachella, you like my hair?”

Aside from having to restart a song, Modest Mouse sounded strong as it powered through other classic singles such as “Dashboard” and “Interstate 8.” Brock didn’t seem as erratic this week as some reported for their show last week. Instead, Brock seemed more emphatic when singing.