Coachella 2016: Bands to Watch

Another year, another Coachella. The festival is arguably the most famous one, and the must see event of the year for most die hard music fans. In the past few years it has sort of become a place for band reunions as well. Outkast reunited for the first time in years at the festival, and this year they have not one, but two huge reunions. In case you’re just coming out of a coma and somehow missed the news, Guns N’ Roses is currently boasting a roster that includes Axl, Slash and Duff McKagan, and they’re planning on bringing the house down at the Saturday shows this year. Friday night is being closed out by the recently reunited LCD Soundsystem as well, so it’s a pretty exciting time to go watch live music in the desert. BUT, that’s not what we’re here to talk about, because we’re sure you know all about the great headliners on the bill this year, so we thought we’d give you a heads up on some of the other acts you should catch over the three day weekend that is Coachella.

Friday:

Purity Ring – Infectious synth driven pop, what’s not to like? These two definitely know how to set the mood, and it’s a mood you’ll want to be in for the weekend.

Rae Sremmurd – Speaking of catchy duos, these two young gentlemen know how to craft a hook. Their debut album Sremmlife is jam packed with songs that deserve single status. Not a chance you make it through their set without dancing.

the Last Shadow Puppets – The brainchild of Arctic Monkeys crooner Alex Turner and The Rascals Miles Kane, these guys just put out their second album, their first since 2008. Not simply the Arctic Monkeys Part 2, like a lot of side projects end up sounding, this one is actually very much it’s own thing. And it’s a very good thing, that you’ll definitely be sad to miss.

Joey Bada$$ – Arguably one of the most underlooked hip-hop artists of the past few years, his 2015 LP B4.DA.$$ was phenomenal.

Years & Years – Friday is apparently really about musical ear worms. These guys also put out an album full of singles, and they’re bound to win a lot of peoples hearts with their set.

Saturday:

Grimes – The Princess of Weird Pop. If you don’t already know Grimes, you’re missing out. If you don’t see her at Coachella… you’re missing out.

Deerhunter – These guys have been pumping out some of the best indie rock albums of the past decade, and their live show parallels that consistency.

the Damned – Punk LEGENDS. These guys served as openers alongside the Clash for the Sex Pistols. You know what they say about the company you keep…

Vince Staples – Sort of the Yin to Kendrick Lamar’s Yang, Vince Staples had one of 2015’s best hip-hop albums. In a year that included new albums from Kendrick, Drake, Dr.Dre, Earl Sweatshirt and more, that’s an incredibly amazing feat. His knack for storytelling is the stuff that makes legends, and he’s sure to be one of the biggest names in hip-hop if he stays on this course.

Shamir – Do you wanna dance? You wanna dance. Watch Shamir, and dance.

Sunday:

Chris Stapleton – Listen, just watch this video, and tell me you don’t wanna see that guy live. And then repent for your sins, because you’re a god damned liar. And that’s coming from someone who’s not even that into country music.

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – You know a band is special when they can make a song about alcoholism this catchy.

Wolf Alice – Ah-ah-ah-ah-ahhh can’t recommend this band enough. Kickass rock n roll, just like Momma used to make it.

Anderson .Paak – You guys know Dr.Dre doesn’t write his own lyrics, right? Well, this is the guy who did the heavy lifting for Dre’s verses on his stellar comeback album Compton last year. If that wasn’t reason enough to check him out, he recently released his sophomore album Malibu, and it’s a doozy.

Deafheaven – French fries in your frosty? Chocolate on your bacon? Shoegaze in your black metal? Not all great ideas sound great in concept, but that doesn’t stop them from being great. And Deafheaven is really great.