There is a tradition that originally started between Arnaud and Dad of going to Coachella. You could say we have a penchant to going to music festivals...between Doheny and Long Beach. So this year, although Arnaud was not around, Dad and I went. It was my second time going, and Dad's third!!! The last time we were at this festival was 2006. How time flies!
the entrance with the lineups of previous years
The Do Lab
This was new to us this year. There was a DJ spinning all day and all night long. It was a happening within the happening you could say.
people cooling down already at noon
Bamboo Shoot Art (a flame came out of the tallest shoot at night)
A snapshot of the Beer Garden where we did most of the eating and drinking throughout the day.
There was art everywhere. From the larger pieces to a duo that were on a tricycle and piano rigged on wheels. Here a unicyclist is dancing to the music of the DJ.
"
Coachella" Main Stage
Dad resting before the music really began!
There were shows as well with acrobats throughout the day on this stage.
the
Coachella grounds before the crowds arrived
Dad and I got there pretty early. That is why the photos all seem devoid of people. It actually worked out perfect. We parked no too far from the entrance and we were also able to eat a snack without the hassle of lines. The first performance we saw started at 1:30 pm and that was Ida Maria at the Gobi Tent.
After Ida Maria we decided to try out Clout Cult. Wow, we were very pleasantly surprised. After that set we went to "Sahara" and discovered Drop the Lime. I think I have a new favorite DJ! He had some amazing energy up on stage, and that directly came through in his remixes.
After Drop the Lime finished The newno2 for a bit then met up with my friends Morgan and Brett. He wanted to see Drive by Truckers but after the first few notes and verses Morgan decided to go see Blitzen Trapper and dad and myself went to refuel and get something to drink. We then headed over to Blitzen Trapper. That was another amazing discovery!
After their set we set off to "Coachella" and watched the entire show of Michael Franti & Spearhead! Dad wanted to be up close and personal so we were standing so close to the front. That also meant that we were in the "crazy hardcore" section. Dad had a good time and held up with all the jumping and dancing and bumping into each other.
When that set was over we had some time to kill before TV on the Radio appeared. We ate dinner and watched them perform on the mainstage. After finishing we decided to stop at "Outdoor" and listen to a band Morgan likes called Calexico. From Tucson, Arizona the band had a really great sound. After that set we went back to Gobi and I really wanted to see James Morrison. And I am very glad I did. He has such a great voice and not to mention good to look at :-)
From Gobi we trekked back to "
Coachella" to see
Thievery Corporation. They
put ton such an amazing show. They had plenty of singers come on and take turns to sing their hit songs. We got the stage just in time to hear my favorite song of theirs, "Lebanese
Blonde"!
After that set we moved our way up and waited on
M.I.A. We stayed for a little while there. I was glad to see her and hear a
mashup up of all her original stuff, the stuff most people around didn't even know.
She is a handful and a lot to take on stage so we decided to go so
Chemical Brothers instead. Talk about amazing. They really get you going by starting out with slower beats and slowly getting the crowd riled up. It was great. The tent was jammed packed, and
eventhough it was cooling off outside, it was sweltering in there. So to top off the day, we had a late night snack and watched
The Killers. There are just some musicians and bands that really do not need any sort of touching up in the studio, and these guys are one of those bands. They sound so great live and put on a good show. It was nice to hear, the main singer mentioned how just 5 years ago they were one of those bands that put in a performance in one of the side stages and now here they are headlining and performing on the main stage. The end of their set they had fireworks and the whole
shibang. It was a good way to end the day. On our way out we stopped by all the pieces of art set up. Everything was all lit up or on fire. From the crazy glow
ballsand the
pyro serpent to the electricity poles.
It was a perfect music
fille day. I am so thankful my Dad has given the love of music like this to me, and is still the one that I can share this with.
Coachella is a great tradition and is definitely one I see myself keeping for forever. I cannot wait to see what is in store for next year and hopefully we can get
Arnaud out here to come with us!!
Jessica and Brittany
