It’s that time of year, where all you do is look forward to every upcoming festival 2017 will grace us. Coachella always seems to be the first one to brag about their lineups getting you all excited for April when we’re barely into January, but this year created a next-level pining inside me I can’t even believe is real…they had me at Radiohead. Honestly, we could have stopped there. Radiohead could have played all three days and I would have been stoked but no, instead we have Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar also headlining, along with a ton of amazing bands on the lineup to try to run around and see. Festival passes go on sale today, January 4th at 11AM PST here.
I get that a lot of bands play festivals but nothing annoys me more than the hierarchy of font sizes these posters use. You need a magnifying glass to see some truly epic artists on this list so here are some of my favorites:
THUNDERCAT: How much do I love this man? Let me count the ways. For one, Thundercat put on one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to in my life and I’ve been to an insane amount of shows. Thundercat is one of the best musicians of our time on record and on stage and seeing him build his music live is something every music loving soul should experience. He is not one to be missed at this festival.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Seeing this Australian seven-piece band live is not an event it’s an experience. Like a symphony of psych rock set to mesmerizing visuals you will be floating in the clouds watching this band whether you dropped or not.
Shura has been one of my favorite queens since I saw her live and interviewed her for Galore and at SXSW. Shura’s shows are an upbeat dance party soundtrack-worth of an 80s John Hughes film. Things you’ll need to bring to her show: your dancing shoes and someone to make out with… well technically you can meet that person there.
S U R V I V E. The brilliant band that brought you the Stranger Things soundtrack and solidified your addiction to a television show will be creeping things up in Palm Springs with heavy bass lines and synthesizers and if we’re lucky a sea of lasers and fog to turn your Coachella upside-down (in a good way).
Jagwar Ma has been one of my favorite bands for years, I could see them play the same show every day for three years and would still be just as thrilled as the first time I saw them live. Their music is a beautiful blend of pysch, rock and dance which are three of my favorite things. Their shows always give you a dance workout that will make you cancel you gym membership and buy every album they’ve released (here and here).
Aussie psych dream team POND are a mesmerizing, trippy AF show that will have your body moving and your mind spinning. While you’re getting lost in their instrumentals and vocal harmonies, you’ll find one of your favorite new bands to follow into the space-time continuum they open up in your mind when you’re watching them live.
Bring your crush/love/that megababe you met at the Shura show with you for the Coachella set of sheer baby-making music created and performed by HONNE. Let the UK duo set the mood with their mixture of smooth vocals, R&B and dance that will get your heart beating and body moving as that California sandstorm sweeps around you.
Whether you’re going to Coachella as a massive music fan on a mission or to get a picture of your outfit taken go see these artists and get your musical mind blown and expanded by the incredible artists above.
