By Leighton Ginn
I got the alert today that my Coachella wristbands are on the way.
To prepare for the 2017 edition, here is a playlist of some of the songs I’m looking forward to. This is in no way a complete list.
BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE
I love this band and it was a great performance when they played in 2013. They were actually on against Phoenix, who was the Saturday headliner and that was a tough decision.
But New Order represents my college days and I just love the band. And Bizarre Love Triangle was the soundtrack of those days.
Whenever I hear it, it just makes me happy.
WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE
So anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I love Grouplove. I especially love the song “Shark Attack” because it was written and inspired by their first appearance at Coachella, which I caught.
But they have an impressive catalog of songs that I love, including their latest.
The energy they bring to their performances is infectious. I’ve caught them numerous times and haven’t ever been disappointed.
ON HOLD
I know the XX has been around and I’ve followed them peripherally, but their latest CD, “I See You” has really hooked me in.
“On Hold” isn’t necessarily my favorite song on the CD, but the sampling of Hall and Oates’ “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” that I didn’t recognize immediately … or actually until I Googled it.
HIGH AND LOW
One of the most visually dynamic bands out there. Again, I didn’t follow them closely, but the first song from their newest CD, “High and Low” hooked me in immediately.
These guys are a staple in the Sahara tent, but it will be interesting if they will be back there again, or on a bigger stage, which would also mean a more elaborate stage set.
That would be fun.
CHANGE OF SEASONS
Two Door Cinema Club’s last performance at Coachella was one of my favorites. The band has a dynamic sound, starting with Alex Tremble’s voice.
They’ve changed their sound for their latest CD, so it will be interesting to see how it will play out on stage. But their new stuff is solid, even if it is a bit of a departure.
“Bad Decisions” is my favorite from their latest CD, but since I featured it in a previous blog, I went back a few years for “Change of Seasons,” a really great song.
RIVER
A new voice that is big and bold, I’m really looking forward to seeing Bishop Briggs. She’s low on the lineup sheet, but feels like a chance to see a future star.
I think her song “River” really captures her dynamic range.
SAFE AND SOUND
Great sound and great energy. When I saw Capital Cities at Coachella, there was a moment when I thought this might be the best set I saw that year and was right up there with the best I saw.
That thought same when they played “Safe and Sound.”
I just remember I couldn’t sit still and I don’t think anyone else could.
And the trumpet player is killer.
Ginn & Topics 