So the lineup for Coachella 2014 was released the other night (January 8), in case you haven’t checked your Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/texts/literally anywhere. In full disclosure, my own mother has been the first one to notify me of the lineup’s announcement for the past three years running. I’m hoping that’s more of a testament to my mom’s coolness than the amount of friends I have. But regardless of how you heard the news, the lineup is here, spreading like wildfire and launching endless opinionated posts about how good or bad it is. This is one of those posts.
My vote? Good. Here’s why:
- Coachella finally lived up to an amazing lineup rumor that’s been spreading since a November Instagram leak, which is the reunion of Outkast. The Atlanta hip-hop duo, made up of Big Boi and Andre 3000, hasn’t released an album since 2006. I assumed that was when “Hey Ya!” came out, but in a startling reminder of how old I’m getting, the internet informed me that it was released in 2003. Jesus. The reunion is not a first for the 14-year-old festival, which hosted reunions for the Pixies in 2004 and Rage Against The Machine in 2007, to name a couple.
- There are plenty of Coachella first-timer acts. As the festival has grown in popularity, many Coachella-ers are returning to the desert for the umpteenth time. And while it’s always enjoyable to see your favorite acts all over again, the festival offers so many opportunities for mind-blowing performances that new acts are worth exploring. Most notably, Grammy-nominated singer Lorde will be making her first appearance.
- A number of different music genres are widely represented. You can get a good fill of everything from hip-hop/R&B (Nas, Solange, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Chance the Rapper) to your always-sweaty Sahara Tent EDM (Zedd, Girl Talk, Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Alesso). Even rock legends Motorhead will be making an appearance, as was previously announced by Coachella.
- Smaller-font-size acts that are sure to kill it: HAIM, Bonobo, Bastille, Grouplove, MS MR, the Naked and Famous, Bombay Bicycle Club, Holy Ghost!, Disclosure, Rudimental, Trombone Shorty, Daughter, and Poolside, to name a select few.
- As always, the Daft Punk rumors live on. In 2013, word on the street was that they’d make an appearance at Phoenix, but only graced Indio with a short video during the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ performance. If I had a nickel for every time someone wondered aloud if they’d join Pharrell’s set…
This year’s lineup isn’t without its faults, though
- The big-font names are nothing new. Arcade Fire last headlined in 2011, and Muse in 2010, making for a less shocking choice in headliners. However, Arcade Fire recently created the entire soundtrack to the film “Her” starring Joaquin Phoenix, which is still in theaters, giving them a bit more relevance this year.
- Unless you took a leap of faith and purchased pre-sale tickets months ago (before the lineup was released), you’re gonna have a hard time getting Weekend 1 tickets. The festival has already announced that there are extremely limited numbers of Weekend 1 tickets and camping passes available for purchase on January 10, and recommend planning for Weekend 2 instead. May the odds be ever in your favor.
More than 150 acts will perform during each of the two weekends. Whether you’re a presale, general admission, or day-before-on-Craigslist kinda ticket-buyer, you’re bound to be stoked on a handful of acts. And for one weekend, that’s not too shabby.
Coachella takes place on April 11-13 and April 18-20 this year in Indio, California. General admission tickets go on sale on Friday, January 10 at 10 a.m. PST on Coachella.com and start at $375.
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Tags : Alesso, Arcade Fire, Bastille, Big Boi, Bombay Bicycle Club, Bonobo, Calvin Harris, Chance the Rapper, Coachella, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Daughter, Disclosure, featured, Girl Talk, Grouplove, HAIM, Holy Ghost!, Indio California, Kid Cudi, lorde, MS MR, Muse, Nas, Outkast, Pharrell, Rudimental, Skrillex, Solange, the Naked and Famous, Trombone Shorty, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Zedd
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