Music Concerts

Coachella Picks 2013

Dropkick Murphys coachella Nine Inch Nails Death Cab for Cutie Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds the Postal Service Grinderman How To Destroy Angels Modest Mouse


Just a week away from the holy music pilgrimage to the desert that is the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. It's this writer's 14th year attending (Jesus. That's a lot of sun-drenched rockin'), and the excitement is just as palpable as it was when I first attended at age 16. This year's lineup is so ridiculously good I almost popped a vein trying to decide which five acts to include in my essentials this year.


I risked my health for you, dear readers! Now please enjoy the top five artists I'm salivating to see out on the polo fields:

5. How To Destroy Angels I blew my previous Coachella opportunities to see Trent Reznor do his thing with Nine Inch Nails, so this is a really good consolation prize. (And I'm too broke to justify seeing the revitalized NIN at Lollapalooza.) I can imagine Mariqueen Mandaag's lush singing echoing off the craggy surrounding mountains as night envelopes the valley. Just gorgeous.

4. Modest Mouse Modest Mouse's misanthropic rock has been missing for far too long. They're slated to end the six-year hiatus with an album later this year. With sometimes-guitarist Johnny Marr also on the bill, expect the Smith to sit in with Isaac Brock's band again.

3. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds Speaking of legendary grumps, Nick Cave is pulling double duty this Coachella with his Bad Seeds and his perverse endeavor Grinderman. But it's the dark artistry of the Seeds that has me quivering with anticipation. They'll likely perform after the sun goes down, just as my black eyeliner has melted to appropriate gothic proportions.

2. The Postal Service The Postal Service's rabid fans had just about "given up" on a reunion of this beloved one-off project from Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard and DNTL's Jimmy Tamborello. But hell froze over in 2013, and the emo-dance duo are marking the 10th anniversary of their classic album with a string of concert dates. Um, I'm not crying; I just have sand in my eye.

1. Dropkick Murphys Can you smell the Guinness a-brewing?! (Well, no, you can't; Heineken has a monopoly on Coachella's beer offerings.) These Boston boys are a guaranteed fun time, so kick up yer kilt and jump in the pit. Their 2013 release, Signed and Sealed in Blood, is one of my favorites of the year.
More from Melissa Bobbitt (See All)
Permalink to
Music
What We're Digging Right Now - Matuto
  Melissa Bobbitt      0

Image by Vincent Soyez Whereas modern folk artists like Mumford & Sons draw inspiration from the Deep South - blazin' banjos and porch-rattling foot stomps - one band is migrating its influences to the Deep,...

May 19, 2013
Mumford & Sons Matuto
Permalink to
Music
Our 15 Most Anticipated Albums of 2015
  Melissa Bobbitt      0

Now that we’ve ranked the albums that rocked us in 2014, we’re ready to move on to the bounty that’s coming in 2015. Indie fans are going to be blessed with new tunes from Belle...

Dec 29, 2014
radiohead Smashing Pumpkins The Decemberists Marilyn Manson Death Cab for Cutie Belle & Sebastian Adele Juliana Hatfield Modest Mouse Faith No More Bjork Sleater-Kinney Tool Beach House Erase Errata
Comments
Recent posts
Nao Yoshioka: The Japanese Soul Sensation Bridging Cultures
Oct 28, 2024
Fiye Festival: What Went Wrong with the Failed Luxury Festival
Oct 25, 2024
MC Ka: The Lyrical Philosopher from Brownsville
Oct 23, 2024
Marley Bleu: The Rising Star with a Sultry, Soulful Sound
Oct 13, 2024
View all latest news
Tags
Subscribe!

Receive updates on what's going on in live entertainment, events, and music.

Social
Who to follow
Marcus Floyd
Juss Ray
Tia Scott
Melissa Bobbitt