By Leighton Ginn
Here’s a few acts I’ve caught at Coachella, which I hope will return.
At least, these are the acts I’m feeling right now. I’m sure there’s more I’ll be able to think of afterwards.
GROUPLOVE
I caught Grouplove both times they were at Coachella and they were fantastic performers, a hippy band with the energy of a death metal band.
I read somewhere that “Shark Attack” is a song they wrote from their first time at Coachella, so it only seems natural they would be a regular.
They released “Big Mess” this fall, so they’ll have new music.
Outside of Coachella, I caught them at the Troubadour and the Jimmy Kimmel Show and they never fail to bring the fun.
Looking at their tour schedule, they will end their spring tour on April 13 in Santa Cruz, Ca. The first weekend of Coachella begins April 14.
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS
Fitz and the Tantrums have been on a little unusual schedule at Coachella, as they never hit this festival right after releasing new music. It usually comes at the tail end of a run for a CD.
So last year, Fitz and the Tantrums didn’t play as they performed in 2015. And during 2016, they released their self-titled “Fitz and the Tantrum,” which included the hit “Handclap.” The LA Times declared it the song of the summer.
So far, the band doesn’t have its schedule made out for 2017, but if Coachella comes calling, you would expect the LA-based band will return.
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
One of the great indie-rock bands, Two Door Cinema Club has come up with more of a pop sound in their new CD, “Gameshow.”
It shows their diversity, particularly with the disco sounds of “Bad Decision,” although some fans were still longing their indie-rock sound.
But even critics of the new sound can’t deny the songs are catchy. And Two Door Cinema Club has a deep catalog.
In their last Coachella performance in 2013 was dazzling.
THE KILLERS
The Las Vegas natives were dazzling headliners in 2009, sandwiched between Paul McCartney and the Cure. But that was the last time they played Coachella as a group, although lead singer Brandon Flowers has returned as a solo act.
The Killers will have new music in 2017, and a return to the Empire Polo Grounds would be an overdue return.
PETER BJORN AND JOHN
These guys are much more than the theme song to “Two Broke Girls.”
They are a great Swedish band. Admittedly, when they last played Coachella, it was after their first CD, and playing the main state seemed a little big for the trio.
But their sound got bigger and they’ve been even more dynamic.
In the summer, they released a new CD “Breaking Point” and played FYF festival on the USC campus.
While they have a great array of hits, I really loved this cover they did with the AV Club and wish they would include it on their setlists.
I caught them on the Sunset Strip the day before their FYF festival and they were glorious.
Ginn & Topics 
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