Coachella

Coachella Primer: Part 7 (of 12) – Black Lips

In the latest installment of our “Coachella Primer” series we take a look at the sometimes volatile and always unpredictable Black Lips! This Atlanta-based quartet – Cole Alexander (Vocals, guitar); Jared Swilley (Vocals, bass guitar); Joe Bradley (Vocals, drums); Ian Saint Pé Brown (Lead Guitar) – is best known for their raw recordings and “exposed nerve” live performances. They like their sound best on cassette and their shows best uncensored. They are talented and raw but have recently spent  significant time in the studio with producer Mark Ronson, and it might be worth seeing what a little polish can do for this young high-energy band. They will play early enough on Saturday that there won’t be any major conflicts. So if you’re up and feeling refreshed after Friday night, take a little walk and check out the Black Lips! (more…)

By Ryan, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 6 (of 12) – Fitz and the Tantrums

A few weeks ago, Fitz and the Tantrums came through San Francisco for back-to-back nights headlining at the Regency Ballroom. Based out of Los Angeles, the sextuplet will bring a groovy neo-soul sound to Coachella on Sunday night! Founded by lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick in 2008, Fitz and the Tantrums will have you dancing, clapping, and singing along in no time. Their soulful chord progressions and catchy hooks and lyrics will turn anyone into a fan. Hit the jump and find out more about the band that’s bringing soul back in a big way! (more…)

By Tiffany, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 5 (of 12) – Arctic Monkeys

Most people are familiar with the Arctic Monkeys, but they just might be the most famous band nobody is talking about at Coachella. Their 2006 debut album set records, they have consistently had radio hits for the past 6 years, and they just released a very good (bordering on great) album Suck it and See in 2011. Undoubtedly Coachella has moved away from traditional Rock & Roll bands in favor of Indie and Electronic music, but if the Black Keys are a HEADLINER that means rock fans will still be out in force. With all the buzz focused on the Black Keys (who are great and deserve the attention), the masses are forgetting about who raised the bar first. There are two rock bands that will likely put on a better show than the “headliner”: The Hives and the Arctic Monkeys! (more…)

By Ryan, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 4 (of 12) – Childish Gambino

Unless you’ve been living under a media rock, you probably know who Childish Gambino is. (Hint: He’s Donald Glover. You know, the hipster dream boat from Community.) Having released his latest album, Camp, a little less than three months ago, Glover will definitely have a good show in store for Saturday. In this fourth installment of our running Coachella Primer, learn a bit more about the busy quadruple-threat. (more…)

By Tiffany, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 3 (of 12) – Le Butcherettes

Installment #3 in our Coachella Primer series introduces something a little wild: Le Butcherettes! This is guaranteed to be one of the craziest live shows at Coachella, or anywhere for that matter. Le Bucherettes started in 2007 as an all-girl garage-punk band from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. The main attraction is frontwoman voclaist/guitarist/pianist Teri Gender Bender and her frenetic adrenline infused on-stage performances. She sings like an (even more) unleashed Karen O and will cover the entire stage and half the crowd with her flailing runs, somersaults, and maybe even a little blood. There is nothing else like this at Coachella, entertainment guaranteed. (more…)

By Ryan, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 2 (of 12) – The Growlers

In this second installment of our Coachella Primer series, we turn the spotlight to So Cal locals, The Growlers.  Originally from Costa Mesa, California, The Growlers now call Long Beach their home. Brooks Nielsen, Matt Taylor, Scott Montoya, Brian Stewart, and Kyle Straka moved to Long Beach to pursue their musical ambitions after spontaneously deciding to start a band while at a party. (more…)

By Tiffany, ago

Coachella Primer: Part 1 (of 12) – The Black Angels

This is the first installment of our Coachella Primer series where RB will spotlight 12 different Coachella bands, one new one every week, leading up to the seminal Southern California music festival. One of the most redeeming qualities of large festivals like Coachella is the opportunity to discover new bands. It’s not always easy to spend money and drive to a show for a band you know very little about, but once at the Empire Polo Club its not that hard to simply walk over to a stage and check out something new. In installment #1 we bring you The Black Angels! (more…)

By Ryan, ago
coachella sucks

Warning: Ingesting the Coachella-Hype will make you irrational, slightly stoned, and like David Guetta

coachella sucks
Coachella 2012 has been announced, and it’s the best fucking festival concert ever!  Actually, that’s not true at all.  Why did I say that?  I don’t even know where that came from.  If you are an avid reader of “The Internet”, and I am, then you probably got that crazy idea from there.  At about 3 PM yesterday, every music fan and journalist in LA had their collective and predictable group orgasm as the Coachella 2012 lineup was announced.  The overreaction and hype to Coachella has become a part of its mystique over the years- an integral part of its rise to the top of festival-lore.  While Coachella 2012 is not a bad lineup, its definitely not what everyone wants you to believe it is. (more…)

By Oliver, ago