Being a member to KCRW is useful in so many ways! Not only are you sustaining the hand-selected music, thoughtfully presented news, and stimulating cultural commentary that you hold so dear - you also stand to get a lot of cool stuff on top of that.
Surely you know about our Fringe Benefits and sweet, sweet coffee mugs, but if you contribute before February 29th, you will be automatically entered to win VIP passes + parking to Weekend 1 OR Weekend 2 of Coachella. That's right, this sweepstakes will have TWO lucky winners. Find out more at kcrw.com/join.
Now, let's get into Coachella itself. As per usual, the line-up is very good. I'm feeling a tremendous wave of nostalgia looking over the poster. Rage Against the Machine obviously brings up a lot of teenage feelings, but honestly so does Frank Ocean. Beyond the headliners, here are a few more acts that will allow you to feel removed from time in the best possible way.
Beach Bunny - "Dream Boy"
Beach Bunny transmits a sense of urgent romance, and giddiness on “Dream Boy” (a recent Anne Litt fave on Morning Becomes Eclectic). Well, now's your chance to feel the good vibes up close and personal. They'll be playing early on the Fridays at Coachella, so make the most out of your desert venture this year by being among the first through the gates for intimate sets like this one.
Emo Nite
There are so many mixed emotions one could have about the mere existence of an Emo Nite, never mind the fact that it's as popular as it is. In this moment, I choose to embrace the truly wild wonder of such a thing. A few years ago I stood on the outskirts of a Coachella tent thinking that I would just watch a few minutes of a set from a now-maligned 2000s-era emo band, while I waited for my friends. I found myself instantly absorbed, and full of empathy and hope after watching a front row packed with a new generation of teens shouting their choruses. They sang it as if their lives depended on it, because they did.
To get you ready for similar experiences at Emo Nite’s takeover in the desert, be sure to check out this brilliantly compiled list of the 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time from Vulture. They ranked this stone cold classic from Jimmy Eat World in the top ten. Press play, feel transported, and then imagine sweating it out for several hours in the desert with your fellow misanthropes to the MANY songs that saved your life.
Fatboy Slim - "Weapon of Choice"
No additional commentary is needed for this one. Fatboy Slim will perform on the Sundays at Coachella this year. That's it, that's the post.