Ratatat (Saturday, April 11 & 18)
Ratatat’s 2008 album Classics is truly a classic to us — the mostly instrumental release is all surging, dueling guitars that make you want to sing along. This is the kind of zoning out music that will be so good with an Indio backdrop. Here they are at Bonnaroo a couple years ago.
Perfume Genius (Saturday, April 11 & 18)
Vulnerability is the key with Perfume Genius, aka Mike Hadreas. We’re positive that this intimate-sounding music will translate nicely to the larger venue of Coachella. Check him out on David Letterman last fall for an idea of what’s to come.
Drake (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
We’re sure that you don’t need us to tell you to definitely catch Drake at Coachella. He’s only one of the biggest rap artists around right now. Here’s your chance to hear songs from If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late live, and to scream along all the lyrics to all his other hits. To get pumped, watch him perform at the 2013 VMAs.
St. Vincent (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
Do not miss this theatrical superstar (and recent Grammy award winner). St. Vincent, aka Annie Clark, has been stunning music-lovers since her 2007 debut album, Marry Me. Peep a hint of what’s to come (lots of axe shredding) at Coachella by taking in a bit of her performance on an episode of Austin City Limits.
Florence and the Machine (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
Florence and the Machine are absolutely still kicking (they have a new album slated for this summer), and the songs really translate to a large venue, making them a great festival performance to take in. If “Dog Days Are Over” doesn’t still give you serious goosebumps, we don’t know what will. Check out Flo and her band playing a festival a few years ago.
Brand New (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
We don’t know about you, but Brand New was kind of a big band for us during their early-aughts heyday. Recent appearances have been plagued by dramatic personal issues within the band, so if Deja Entendu was kind of a huge album for you, too, you don’t want to miss them at Coachella. Here they are playing last year in Brazil.
Jenny Lewis (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
Jenny Lewis has come a long way from her time as Hannah Nefler (Troop Beverly Hills is life). She was everything as frontwoman of Rilo Kiley and is again everything solo. We’re hoping her incredible rainbow suit will make an appearance on the Coachella stage. Get pumped by taking in her recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel.
Angel Olsen (Sunday, April 12 & 19)
Theatrics are a wonderful thing, but when you’re ready for a powerfully stripped-bare performance, seek out Angel Olsen. She’ll make a fan of folk out of the least-likely candidate, that’s for sure. Need some evidence? Check out her rapt audience at the 2013 Pitchfork Music Festival.
