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.

Coachella 2013: Johnny Marr uses The Smiths and solo material inside Mojave Tent

Coachella 2013: Johnny Marr uses The Smiths and solo material inside Mojave Tent

Posted:   04/20/2013 02:33:31 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 02:36:57 AM PDT

INDIO – Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, used a mix of his former group’s material and solo songs to mostly keep the Mojave Tent pumping its fists and singing along Friday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Marr had the crowd in his palm with The Smiths’ “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before” and “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.” “Johnny, “Johnny,” “Johnny” the crowd changed after the latter Smiths song and Marr cracked a smile.

His solo work like “Upstarts,” “New Town Velocity” and “Generate! Generate!” also drew cheers but less chanting and enthusiasm.

During the middle of the set, before “Generate! Generate!” Marr said “this is a song for everyone who thinks too much.”

Marr, who has also been a member of Modest Mouse, The Cribbs and other bands, started off his set with a rose stem in his mouth and later stuffed it into the strings of his guitar and continued to play.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013 Japandroids continue set despite breaking guitar string

Coachella 2013 Japandroids continue set despite breaking guitar string

Posted:   04/20/2013 02:42:30 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 10:13:44 AM PDT

 

Japandroids 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)

Japandroids 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: Japandroids performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Vancouver, British Columbia’s garage, indie and noise rock act Japandroids used the strengths of members Brian King and David Prowse to sound like a high-speed train inside the Gobi Tent Friday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival despite breaking a guitar string.Guitarist King said he broke his string on the first song played but he tried to turn it into a positive by comparing the potential mishap to getting lucky on a first date.

“When it does happen, it’s pretty sweet,” King toward the audience at the Gobi Tent.

Their energy never stopped with “Young Hearts Spark Fire” off their 2010 album “Post-Nothing” as well as “The Nights of Wine and Roses,” “Younger Us” and “The House That Heaven Built” from 2012’s “Celebration Rock.”

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Palma Violets give charged set inside Mojave Tent Friday

Coachella 2013: Palma Violets give charged set inside Mojave Tent Friday

Posted:   04/20/2013 03:10:07 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 11:05:13 AM PDT

 

Palma Violets 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: Palma Violets performs at Coachella

Complete coverage: COACHELLA 2013


INDIO – Lambeth, London garage and indie rock band Palma Violets powered through a set heavy on songs from their debut album “180” on Friday inside the Mojave Tent at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.The band raced through “Best of Friends,” “Step Up for the Cool Cats,” “Last Of The Summer Wine” and “I Found Love” to an audience eager for more that raised their hands up when the group told them too.

Palma Violets consists of Samuel Thomas Fryer, guitarist and vocalist; Alexander “Chilli” Jesson, bassist and vocalist; William Martin Doyle, drummer; and Jeffrey Peter Mayhew, keyboardist.

The audience in the Mojave Tent would crowd surf, pump their fists and even mosh to the garage rock sounds of Palma Violets, who appeared to enjoy every minute of their early Friday night set.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com

Coachella 2013: Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men mostly sticks to album tracks at Coachella

Coachella 2013: Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men mostly sticks to album tracks at Coachella

Posted:   04/20/2013 02:37:05 AM PDT
Updated:   04/20/2013 02:42:19 AM PDT

INDIO – Iceland’s Of Monsters and Men may have had a lower-than expected vocals from their singers but the group’s musicianship still won over the Outdoor Theatre audience at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday.

Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, lead singer and guitarist, with Ragnar “Raggi” Þórhallsson, co-lead singer and guitarist, literally let the music speak for them as the duo’s vocals were often hard to hear over the chattering audience.

The group mostly stuck with songs from “My Head Is an Animal,” including the crowd pleasing single “Little Talks,” which ended their Friday set.

“Dirty Paws” kicked off their Outdoor Theatre set, which still featured the sun shining down on the audience at 5:45 p.m.

Other songs included “Slow and Steady” and an unreleased song, “Beneath My Bed.”

“It’s about the downstairs neighbor. Who sleeps beneath my bed,” joked Þórhallsson to the audience. “He’s very creepy,” added Hilmarsdóttir with a laugh.

wes.woods@inlandnewspapers.com