Coachella 2013: Janelle Monae inspires but is hurt by sound issues at Coachella fest on second night

Coachella 2013: Janelle Monae inspires but is hurt by sound issues at Coachella fest

Posted:   04/14/2013 03:09:52 PM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 04:03:26 PM PDT

 

Janelle Monae started nearly 20 minutes late and had some sound issues at the Gobi Tent Saturday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Photos: Janelle Monae performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Janelle Monae started nearly 20 minutes late and had some sound issues at the Gobi Tent Saturday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival but the potential is clearly there.Monae released the EP “Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase)” in 2007 and the album “The ArchAndroid” in 2010 and is known for having a diverse musical style of R&B, neo soul, funk, alternative rock, dance punk and more.

During her set, which started with a six minute introduction before she started performing, she had a large backing band including horns and keyboard and fans cheered her every dance move and vocals.

I had to get over to see Phoenix so my time was limited to see her, but her set was riddled with microphone problems as her vocals had a strange echo on them and her band’s sound was a bit muddy and not clear.

She started with “Dance or Die” as well as “Locked Inside” and “Sincerely, Jane” before I was off to Phoenix but her energy and enthuasiasm was inspiring to watch as she just pushed through it all.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Pusha T draws large crowd to Gobi Tent on second night of fest

Coachella 2013: Pusha T draws large crowd to Gobi Tent

Posted:   04/14/2013 04:47:18 AM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 05:23:22 AM PDT

INDIO – Hip-hop artist Pusha T did not bring out his label owner Kanye West for his Saturday night performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival but it appeared he didn’t need to.

Pusha T, who is on West’s “G.O.O.D. (Getting Out Our Dreams) Music record label, drew a large crowd inside the Gobi Tent without West and kept them energized his entire set using a mix of solo and group songs.

The Virginia Beach, Virginia based artist started off with a verse from “Grindin,'” his 2002 Neptunes produced hit with No Malice as a part of the group Clipse.

Similar to West, Pusha T did not bring out No Malice and the crowd did not seem to mind. He later jumped into a verse from the “Popular Demand (Popeyes),” another Clipse song, before moving into West songs “So Appalled” and “Runaway” off the “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” album.

Later, Pusha T performed songs off his mixtapes and even “Exodus 23:1,” his song widely believed to be a diss of hip-hop artist Drake and his record label Young Money.

His loudest responses came for his verses on “Mercy” and his 2Pac reference about Coachella on New God Flow, both on the 2012 G.O.O.D. Music compilation album “Cruel Summer.”

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Captivating set from The xx with Solange Knowles surprise guest

Coachella 2013: Captivating set from The xx with Solange Knowles surprise guest

By Liset Marquez
Posted:   04/14/2013 04:58:57 AM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 02:28:19 PM PDT

 

The xx on the Coachella main stage Saturday night. (Thomas Cordova/ Staff photographer)

Photos: The xx performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO -The xx turned in a captivating set Saturday night on the Coachella main stage which included surprise guest Solange Knowles. For nearly an hour, Jamie xx, Romy Croft, and Oliver Sim, performed several songs from their debut album such as “Islands”, “Infinity” and a much slower tempo version of “Crystalised.”During the 16 song set the trio brought out Solange Knowles for their cover of Aliyah’s “Hot Like Fire.”

The chemistry and tension between Sim and Croft is undeniable. Through out the set the duo would do this back-and-forth walk around the stage, and at stand points end up standing face-to-face while they performed.

It was only three years ago, The xx found themselves playing the Outdoor Stage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

But then this year, following the success of their debut album and the release of their second album, Coexist, the xx made their way back to the Empire Polo Club grounds.

But this time they were given a slot on a much larger venue — the main stage.

It was as Romy Madley Croft put it “unbelievable” to this year be one of the acts to playing the main stage Saturday night.

“We have been looking forward to this night for such a long time,” said band mate Oliver Sim.

Coachella 2013: Franz Ferdinand showcase hits inside Mojave Tent on festival’s second day

Coachella 2013: Franz Ferdinand showcase hits inside Mojave Tent

Posted:   04/14/2013 03:52:23 AM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 02:53:38 PM PDT

 

Glasgow, Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand kicked off their Mojave Tent indie and dance rock set with their 2009 hit “No You Girls” (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Franz Ferdinand performed at the Mojave Tent Saturday night (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Photos: Franz Ferdinand performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Glasgow, Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand kicked off their Mojave Tent indie and dance rock set with their 2009 hit “No You Girls” and never let the energy fade Saturday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.The group performed in front of a large sign that said “Right Action Franz Ferdinand” and immediately started their set with a “good evening Coachella” before jumping into “No You Girls” off their album “Tonight, Franz Ferdinand.”

Additionally, the group performed “The Dark Of The Matinee” off 2004’s “Franz Ferdinand” and the 2005’s hit “Do You Want To” as well as “Walk Away” off their release “You Could Have It So Much Better.”

Singer Alex Kapranos, bassist Bob Hardy, rhythm guitarist Nick McCarthy and drummer Paul Thomson all definitely know how to work a crowd as the group’s charisma and playing abilities caused the large crowd inside the Mojave Tent to cheer frequently.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: The Postal Service entertains crowd on second day of festival

Coachella 2013: The Postal Service entertains crowd

By Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Posted:   04/14/2013 01:20:30 AM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 04:11:54 AM PDT

 

Ben Gibbard of The Postal Service performs Saturday night at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Thomas Cordova/ Staff photographer)

Photos: Postal Service performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO — Will they or won’t they?

The Postal Service fans may be asking themselves if the highly acclaimed band, who performed Saturday night at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, will ever make another album.

“Thank you very much for seeing us play. We might see you again. We might not,” singer Ben Gibbard told the crowd during their 50-minute set on the Coachella main stage.

After a 10 year absence, The Postal Service has reunited to celebrate the release of its one and only album “Give Up.” The band, which includes Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello were joined by Jenny Lewis. This marks just the 10-year anniversary of the album. The duo are on tour promoting the reissue of the record.

“We’re an imaginary band called The Postal Service,” Gibbard told the crowd.

Their set included singles “We Will Become Silhouettes,” “District Sleeps Alone Tonight,” and “Such Greats Heights.”

The band will come to Pomona on Monday.

Coachella 2013: Phoenix entertains audience with R. Kelly despite no Daft Punk

Coachella 2013: Phoenix entertains audience despite no Daft Punk

Posted:   04/14/2013 01:06:35 AM PDT
Updated:   04/14/2013 04:26:19 AM PDT

 

R. Kelly joined Phoenix as a surprise guest on night two of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Courtesy photo by Denis O Regan/Coachella)

Phoenix closed out the second night of Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Writer)

Social media (w/ Vine clip, video): Coachella, ‘#couchella’ abuzz about Daft Punk, R. Kelly

Summary: Looking back on Coachella Day 2, ahead to Day 3

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO — Phoenix’s Saturday headlining set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival featured lead singer Thomas Mars crowd surfing, multiple hit radio singles and a performance from R. Kelly.

The set, however, did not feature a highly-anticipated performance from Daft Punk, despite audience members repeatedly chanted the group’s name and rumors suggesting the electronic duo might perform with the Paris, France alternative rock group.

Chicago singer R.Kelly appeared to shock audience members when he started performing his hits “Bump n’ Grind” (from 1994) and “Ignition (remix)” from 2003 with Phoenix as his backing band after the group winded down its first set.

R. Kelly saluted the Coachella audience before he left the stage and when Phoenix came back to perform there was no sign or mention of Daft Punk.

Audience members lingered after Phoenix exited the stage and the house lights went on but they eventually walked away when they realized there would be no performance from the electronic duo.

Before R. Kelly, the group performed hits like”Lisztomania,” “1901” and “Lasso” besides “Girlfriend” “The Real Thing” and more.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com | @IEmusicNow

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.