(creating this thread to discuss anything and everything Coachella, especially since Couchella is back!)
Missy Elliot is both amazing and disappointing. She's not the headliner, yet I've never seen so much production poured into a sub-headliner, EVER. The disappointing part is it's a complete medley show. I absolutely hate that it's like a tiktok version of her career. I feel like I'm watching an elongated and tiring version of a Super Bowl halftime show.
Oh yeah, and she started the show as a transformer.
Watching Clairo now. She so good man.
Charli XCX's set was great too.
I'll be here tomorrow for Basement Jaxx too
(https://i.makeagif.com/media/7-30-2014/BloKSA.gif)
I thought Basement Jaxx's show was a mess... I loved it! They played a new song, "Escape," which I really liked.
While Kraftwerk hasn't been very innovative in their shows lately, I can't help but enjoy them. I could listen to their set every day. Amazing show.
things got really busy this weekend for me so I missed all the stuff I really wanted to see! Hoping to catch the second week action.
Still need to see Beth Gibbons, Basement Jaxx and ,of course, Kraftwerk!
Ed, if you're out there, we would love a visit on the forum and let us know how you feel about weekend 2 ;)
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 15, 2025, 07:03Beth Gibbons
She did a set in a cool location for Arte TV (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arte) a couple of months ago
I touched Beth Gibbons hand at Coachella 2008 when she was serenading the front rows of the Main stage.
I caught Kraftwerk > Portishead > Prince from the 2nd/3rd row to cap a nearly 8+ hour long battle of crowd positioning. Manage to get peed on and saw several people faint from heat exhaustion. I was 22 at the time and I'll never do that again. Was, and still is my favorite Coachella moment that is not Chemical Brother related. Also, briefly met Paul Tollett (founder of Coachella/Goldenvoice) earlier that day.
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 15, 2025, 07:03Ed, if you're out there, we would love a visit on the forum and let us know how you feel about weekend 2 ;)
https://bsky.app/profile/edsimons.bsky.social/post/3ln4azeh4nk2x
Gustavo Dudamel & The LA Phil at the Outdoor Theatre Weekend 2 is one of those magical Coachella moments (at least for Couchella). The mountains in the background, clear blue sky, and sunset, is just an amazing setting.
Before it's removed from the stream, I encourage checking it out if you got the extra time...
Basement Jaxx was outstanding. I didn't see the weekend 1 stream, but the Weekend 2 stream was about as great as I hopped it would be. They got one hell of an applause at the end of the show too!
Loved the unique stage setup. Fun Stuff!
Week 2 was a lot more put together. There was a 30 minute delay the first week, which ultimately led to some tracks being cut down, an understandably flustered performance, and some technology issues as well by the looks of things. I was wondering last week why Simon wasn't on stage, until I realized this week that he was playing guitar the whole time!
The set was fantastic though. Raindrops has become a big favourite of mine in the past few months, and it's so lovely to see Felix giving it his all!
Fly Life was a very pleasant surprise, but the nod to their Banana Kru, Automatic jam was mind blowing to hear the first week! I shouted to my wife, who very much didn't care at the time, "THEY'RE PLAYING A FUCKING TRACK FROM ONE OF THEIR SIDE PROJECTS!!!!" - good vibes.
I've been on a BIG binge the past few weeks and absolutely relished the chance to sit down and enjoy some dinner and a stellar Basement Jaxx set on the TV both weekends.
Quote from: Enjoyed on Apr 22, 2025, 22:16the nod to their Banana Kru, Automatic jam
Ah! Thanks for mentioning that. I heard that weekend 2, too! I couldn't pinpoint the sample until now.
A GTA Vice City classic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qvTFnLwWOM
QuoteI shouted to my wife, who very much didn't care at the time, "THEY'RE PLAYING A FUCKING TRACK FROM ONE OF THEIR SIDE PROJECTS!!!!" - good vibes.
Ha!! Nice. I could easily see Alexa glossing over as you spout in about random electronic music nonsense. But I'm all there with you on the obscure side project shout out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWb4dABiOMd/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Coachella/
another chance for Tom to evade our questions!
Are only Tomora questions allowed? I still want to know what K+D+B stands for...
The scheduling is brutal this year. I would be pretty livid, if I were going...
On Sunday, there is an overlap or direct conflict between Tomora, Royksopp, Fatboy Slim and Iggy Pop.
It's too bad Henry Rollins isn't around with Black Flag, I think he'd enjoy meeting Aurora.
set-times-friday.jpg
set-times-sat.jpgset-times-sun.jpg
Interpol and David Bryne clashing is criminal
Coachella has built a permanent structure for audio visual exhibitions called, 'The Bunker'. There is a teaser in-between sets on the live streams. It's a subterranean structure that reminds me of the secret meth lab in Breaking Bad. I can't seem to find a good video yet to share. They're probably trying to keep it a bit secretive and build hype.
Radiohead is debuting this at the festival:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxnIKl1WvOc
Time to polish up the ole 'Music: Response' exhibit, Adam and Marcus?
About to catch up on Moby. Devo was great (as always) and Dabuell was a bunch of fun too!
Edit: Live vocals for "Natural Blues", worth checking out! Might be one of the best moments of the festival so far.
So that live singer with Moby is Jacob Lusk and he is featured on Moby's re-released song:
When It's Cold I'd Like to Die Ft. Jacob Lusk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJEDaI2Esxw
This is what you want to see though:
Natural Blues Ft. Jacob Lusk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A28LjnOZo24
They left the ambient holding music playing on top of TEEDs set 😭
Edit: OK. They caught it after 25 minutes 🙃
I was reading that Yuma acts will be covered on weekend 2, so stuff like Groove Armada and Royksopp can be caught next weekend. If you want to see something in Sonora watch it NOW, because it wont be available next weekend.
And on the DJ front, I did catch a little of Tiga before I went to bed the other night. He's still really good!
Quote from: Enjoyed on Apr 12, 2026, 03:00They left the ambient holding music playing on top of TEEDs set 😭
I mean, I really love that ambient music, tbh, but that just sucks. 25 minutes is real bad. They didn't even clean that up in the replays.
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 12, 2026, 07:26I was reading that Yuma acts will be covered on weekend 2, so stuff like Groove Armada and Royksopp can be caught next weekend. If you want to see something in Sonora watch it NOW, because it wont be available next weekend.
Ah, I was wondering. Thanks for the heads-up.
Enjoying Royal Otis right now on the Mojave stage.
Nine Inch Noize sounds interesting, too (Sahara).
Several hours later:
Just going through some streams. Then this Yousuke Yuk1matsu comes up. Pretty eclectic mix of all sorts of styles but mainly (cheesy) technoy stuff... Wasn't that interested and skipped thru the set... Then he plays Sigur Rós' Ara Batur... What? What's going on? And almost in full length?! And the crowd cheers. That was unexpected as f*ck.
Suicidal Tendencies fucking ruled!!!
Quote from: Csar on Apr 12, 2026, 10:03Just going through some streams. Then this Yousuke Yuk1matsu comes up. Pretty eclectic mix of all sorts of styles but mainly (cheesy) technoy stuff... Wasn't that interested and skipped thru the set... Then he plays Sigur Rós' Ara Batur... What? What's going on? And almost in full length?! And the crowd cheers. That was unexpected as f*ck.
Portola last year same story. Playing mainly techno then drops salmon dance...not even crookers remix...straight original.
I've just been reading up on The Rapture. Should I be boycotting their performance right now? Sounds like performing with Jenner wasn't the most pleasant experience. And I had no idea Matty Safer wasn't a founding member. Weirdly his name is the only one I know from the band.
I do absolutely love the bassist's t shirt. The word "sorry" written in the Korn font. Bloody brilliant.
Quote from: Csar on Apr 12, 2026, 10:03Nine Inch Noize sounds interesting, too.
Quote from: Enjoyed on Apr 13, 2026, 04:34I've just been reading up on The Rapture.
Haven't they made the song that was used as the theme song for Misfits (the tv show whose first two seasons are the best thing ever released on the telly?)
Nine Inch Noize... I liked the music and I can live with the fake LIVE vocals, but I hated the ridiculous over the top stage production. Way too much for my liking. They took a bleak and demented style of music and turned it into a sleek and sterile freak show?
Trent looks amazing at 60 though. Putting a lot of us to shame.
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 13, 2026, 18:49Trent looks amazing at 60 though. Putting a lot of us to shame.
Talk for yourself. I'm looking like Brad Pitt or George Clooney when im 60+ 8)
Quote from: Csar on Apr 12, 2026, 10:03Several hours later:
Just going through some streams. Then this Yousuke Yuk1matsu comes up. Pretty eclectic mix of all sorts of styles but mainly (cheesy) technoy stuff... Wasn't that interested and skipped thru the set... Then he plays Sigur Rós' Ara Batur... What? What's going on? And almost in full length?! And the crowd cheers. That was unexpected as f*ck.
His sets are something. This is a good summary :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtbbR08qwo
Quote from: Ben_j on Apr 14, 2026, 09:02His sets are something. This is a good summary :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtbbR08qwo
Ha. Thanks! Even though it came out of nowhere, I really like his intention of exposing his audience to this wild mix of styles and bands who most of them probably had never heard of. A great way to expand the musical palette. I gotta respect that.
being subjected to flowerovlove two weeks in a row is painful.
What in the jailbait is this group?
Quote from: Csar on Apr 12, 2026, 10:03..Then this Yousuke Yuk1matsu comes up. Pretty eclectic mix of all sorts of styles but mainly (cheesy) technoy stuff... Wasn't that interested and skipped thru the set... Then he plays Sigur Rós' Ara Batur... What? What's going on? And almost in full length?! And the crowd cheers. That was unexpected as f*ck.
Quote from: Ben_j on Apr 14, 2026, 09:02His sets are something...
Y'all remember that this guy supported the Chems at their not-the-beach DJ set in Japan last year, right? Here's a Forum link. (https://forum.thechembase.com/index.php/topic,3453.msg37395.html#msg37395)
He DJs like he's doing a really tough martial arts task. Chill dude... they're just records! Sometimes they're Chemical Brothers records.
The first two of these you can click to play:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DE4kXTzy4d3/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvXaCpjVci/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPcCRZtDa_-/?img_index=1
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 20, 2026, 11:00Spotted Diplo in a Coachella stream bumper wearing this:
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52faf8f7e4b05c17d93ee447/95da45c2-e9af-47b6-b9ee-693463562ad1/IMG_3179.jpg?format=1500w)
...they also had NY Mets font styled Enya hat too
I didn't think Enya would be cool enough for Diplo, but I guess he respects the production side of her work.
Also she was once sampled bigly by The Fugees, so maybe that makes her cool?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH2147R_vJ0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIXyKmElvv8
The YouTube algo wanted me to watch this video. OK it starts out going for easy prey: "influencers", but it actually gets better once it dives into the price of everything. What did that guy pay $10k for???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ccZyQPtv0I
I can't imagine forking out $$$ for a festival where the headliners are Justin Beiber and Sabrina Carpenter. As for Karol G, I just had to google her and I'm thinking: nope.
I'll probably never go to Coachella but the point about prices reflects other festivals and gigs too, I think. I yearn for the days when more people bought records and less people went to live shows. It used to be cheaper and easier to go. And maybe the FOMO angle is partly social media's fault.
YouTube then offered me another video on the subject which further delves into the jump from Pearl Jam and their anti-corporate stance to ...whatever Coachella is now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZA_ab6k6o
FOMO for an event that is streamed live on the Internet is kinda crazy to me. My buddy and I watched Sabrina's Week 2 set together from the comfort of our perspective couches and we felt very much a part of the event.
I will remember watching TOMORA week 1 for a long time too. All I missed out on was sticky heat, more people than I'm comfortable being around, and spending the $$$ you mentioned!
Might be kinda sad, but it was more Fun On My Own.
Coachella is worthy of all its criticism and worthy of all of its praise.
It was once a really great music festival, it's now different. If you're a Coachella veteran from the past, you can still see the spirit of the original festival lives on, albeit, to a much smaller degree.
I suffer from migraines, I easily get overheated, I still went multiple times, and would still go again if it weren't so expensive.
The main Coachella fest negatives in my mind, apart from price, is the capacity has only gotten larger since I've been there in 2013, and the motivation of the crowd has drastically changed. Furthermore, I would not be happy around all the influencers.
Beating up on the lineup in terms of quality, seems silly to me now. YES, the headliners suck it's gone Pop. And there's certainly been some down lineups over the years... But there's definitely a path for music minded folk at this festival. You got to be open to different genres, and go with the flow. Obviously, don't go if nothing whets your appetite from the get-go, just don't assume your gonna hate everything you might not fully be invested in.
What maybe doesn't translate to everyone, is the location is one-of-kind. It's a beautiful atmosphere, the weather is almost always perfect, and nowhere else will you experience: flat, lush, manicured, green grass, at a large scale music festival.
This is the type of Coachella I remember:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fot4U3yuwvc
The first three years I went, I never spent over $1000 for the whole weekend/trip. As a matter of fact, I never spent $1000, and I came home with a whole bunch of merchandise. It used to be feasible and very much worth it.
Was happy to experience when I did, thankful for people on this forum detailing their experience back in 2005. I would have probably never taken the chance if you didn't open my eyes to it.
By the way, I happened to catch the Groove Armada, Royksopp, and Fatboy Slim (WKD 1) streamed sets. They all at one point played Radiohead's "Everything in Its Right Place"
Favorite stream shows over the 2 Weekends:
Tomora
Nine Inch Noize (dig the album!)
Jack White
Interpol
WetLeg
David Byrne
Little Simz
DEVO (are we not SPUDS?)
The Strokes
Moby
Iggy Pop (Punk Rocker to his last fucking breath! Admittedly his appearance is quite sad nowadays )
Suicidal Tendencies
Bob Bakers Marionettes (The dog marionettes looked very life like)
Wet Leg
Dabeull
Royksopp (DJ Set)
Fatboy Slim (It was his usual fun self, but it look like he scored big with Coachella crowd)
Groove Armada (DJ Set, do they ever play live?)
Quote from: Csar on Apr 14, 2026, 13:23Ha. Thanks! Even though it came out of nowhere, I really like his intention of exposing his audience to this wild mix of styles and bands who most of them probably had never heard of. A great way to expand the musical palette. I gotta respect that.
You owe it to yourself to listen to his Boiler Room set in full!
(https://i.imgur.com/LJKN0RP.png)
OK. I just listened to both Yukimatsu sets.
They were great! And a lot of fun (Moaner should be played more by everyone)
But...
Is he really doing anything super crazy when it comes to mixing things? Those people in that reddit thread should try listening to a Fred Deakin mix if they want to hear things mixed together that absolutely have no place being mixed together - but somehow work perfectly.
I was expecting genres to jump around all over the place and blend together but, for the most part the "surprising" tracks were cut into and out of - and I wouldn't argue particularly deftly. The mix into TDTYF in the Boiler Room set was wonky as heck.
It's cool that people are getting a little taste of a range of genres - but it is still predominantly electronic or well known slabs of rock/pop.
Seriously, give Deakin's mad annual mixes a listen:
https://www.mixcloud.com/freddeakin/fredmix16_this-is-pedagogical-pop/
https://www.mixcloud.com/freddeakin/fredmix14_love-popeye/
I'm gonna try and avoid forming a strong opinion about Yousuke, I just like his track selection and wholesome approach.
Read his notes in the Coachella YouTube clip that
@ThePumisher posted:
QuoteAt Coachella weekend 2, even more people gathered at the Sahara Stage than in the first weekend—that's how it felt to me—and it made me really happy.
As for my set, I made a few mistakes this time, especially from the beginning to the middle, and I wasn't entirely satisfied with my performance. It was probably because this was my fourth DJ set in four consecutive days, so the fatigue might have caught up with me.
But that has nothing to do with the people who came to listen, and making excuses like that isn't professional. So I reset my mindset and pushed myself to deliver the best possible set in the second half.
I checked my set again through the livestream afterward, and thankfully the mistakes weren't very noticeable. There were also some parts where I felt I achieved really good mixing, so in the end, I think it turned out to be a solid performance.
For both weekends, I put a lot of message into my sets, but I'd be happy if everyone who listened could interpret that in their own way.
There's just one thing I want to say. I believe this is a phrase that everyone in the world today should carry in their hearts:
"Treat each other right."
It's also the title of a track by Jamie xx that I played this weekend, and I truly think these words are especially important right now. Not only is the message powerful, but the track itself is incredibly cool, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to Jamie for creating it.
To everyone who was there in person and everyone who watched via streaming—thank you so much.
And I'm deeply grateful to Coachella for giving me such an amazing experience.
I hope I'll be able to come back here again someday.
@Enjoyed Thanks for the Deakin links, I've been meaning to listen to a DJ set from the Lemon Jelly duo.
Quote from: Bosco on Apr 26, 2026, 20:53Thanks for the Deakin links, I've been meaning to listen to a DJ set from the Lemon Jelly duo.
If you ever stumble across his 3CD mix 'The Triptych', I HIGHLY recommend giving it a listen.
His 'Nu Balearica' mix is also a staple soundtrack of mine for long runs. Less eclectic, but a great collection of sunny tunes from that era of balearic house.
I have to imagine he spends HOURS listening to music to find things that fit together so well. But maybe not? Maybe he just has a gift for finding puzzle pieces that fit together like that. I've been meaning to try some mixes at home that are more varied in terms of genre. Seems like a tonne of fun!
You're not wrong about his technical ability being nothing special; I think what makes Yukimatsu special is his story - he's a brain cancer survivor who left construction work behind and focused 100% on DJing when he recovered. And his ability to make a mishmash of styles and songs chosen authentically from the heart move a huge room at the same time. Most DJs working at that level have a certain genre niche they're in, or chase trends, etc. Meanwhile Yukimatsu can play out the entire ambient ending of Moaner leading into the Prodigy and bring everyone along with that instead of losing people.
I've noticed the DJs who can play more eclectic sets successfully - thinking Four Tet, Floating Points, The Chems, even Fred Again these days - typically have the reputation of a catalog of acclaimed albums and productions behind them. People are aware their work is good and genre blending, so they sign up for anything when it comes to a DJ set. Yukimatsu doesn't, he's riding entirely on a reputation of being a great song selector and a good dude.
Quote from: Enjoyed on Apr 26, 2026, 19:39Seriously, give Deakin's mad annual mixes a listen: https://www.mixcloud.com/freddeakin/fredmix16_this-is-pedagogical-pop/ https://www.mixcloud.com/freddeakin/fredmix14_love-popeye/
Been taking these in the past couple of days and love these!
This Pedagogical-pop mix is sooooo good. The whole mix is worth listening to, but from about the 50min - 90 min mark the mix is packed with amazing tracks. By any chance does Fred share a tracklist?
There is a Annie Lennox voice deep fake singing a Prince track which was a unexpected highlight. Goddamn, this mix makes me sad Lemon Jelly isn't active.
Anyways, thank you again for bringing this to my attention!
Quote from: Bosco on May 01, 2026, 09:55By any chance does Fred share a tracklist?
Sure does! (https://web.archive.org/web/20241224115800/https://freddeak.in/soundcloud/fredmix16-this-is-pedagogical-pop/)
His website actually seems to be having trouble currently but I linked to the waybackmachine version.