I Wanna Take You Higher: Coachella 2008

Saturday, April 26, 2008:

The day started with the charmingly naughty French pop of The Teenagers. Performing almost their entire debut album, the band gleefully wooed the crowd, inviting them on stage for the adorably filthy “he said-she said” of “Homecoming.”

The Teenagers were followed by another band supporting their first album, MGMT. But while The Teenagers are flying slightly under the radar, MGMT came with much buzz surrounding them. The duo faithfully reproduced the glam rock and synthesized pop of their expertly executed debut. But while the music was flawless and even exciting during hits like “Electric Feel” and “Kids,” the band failed to ever fully connect with the audience. Perhaps some more time on the road will allow them to refine their stage presence.

The Teenagers © Stuart Myerburg

Later in the afternoon, Bonde Do Role ignited the stage with their funky blend of baile and hip hop, while St. Vincent provided more of a slow simmer with her fierce but quiet set of tunes, including an unusual choice of Beatles cover (“I Dig a Pony”).

St. Vincent © Stuart Myerburg

As dusk set, it was time for a very well-received 80s reunion. Kraftwerk are not exactly what you would think of as dynamic entertainers. Four middle-aged German men standing stock still in front of their synthesizers does not usually make for an exciting live show.

However, they managed to create a thrilling spectacle by simply blending their Teutonic, repetitive synth grooves with hypnotic projected visuals. Classics like “Man Machine,” “Tour De France,” and “Autobahn” sounded as relevant and coolly modern as they did over twenty years ago.

Kraftwerk © Stuart Myerburg

Kraftwerk © Stuart Myerburg

Meanwhile, Mark Ronson‘s all-star revue performed one of their only US shows at Coachella. While many of the “stars” are virtual unknowns (Sam Sparro, Candie Payne), Ronson did have a couple of bigger names with him. Kaiser Chiefs‘ Ricky Wilson provided vocals on his own “Oh My God” (covered on Ronson’s album by Lily Allen); frequent Ronson collaborator Kenna guested on “Amy” and Radiohead’s “Just”; and most notably, Tim Burgess took the stage for The Charlatans’ “The Only One I Know” (covered for Ronson by Robbie Williams). But even without the special guests, Ronson’s would have been one of the most electrifying sets of the evening.

Mark Ronson © Stuart Myerburg

Tim Burgess © Stuart Myerburg

Another British performer making a rare U.S. live appearance was Calvin Harris. It is often hard for a very studio-bound artist like Harris to translate his music to a live setting. However, the producer/DJ/now-artist-in-his-own-right provided one of the more pleasant surprises of the weekend. Accompanied by a live band, Harris performed songs from the criminally underrated I Created Disco and proved he is a charismatic, energetic live artist.

Calvin Harris © Stuart Myerburg

The biggest and most surprising name of the weekend, of course, was Prince, and he closed Saturday with a marathon two-hour set that truly made Coachella “the coolest place on Earth.” Beginning the set with old cohorts The Time performing “The Bird” and “Jungle Love” and Sheila E. ripping through “The Glamorous Life,” Prince himself took the stage for an extended jam that segued into “1999.” Hitting all the high points (“Controversy,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Cream,” “7,” “Purple Rain,” “Let’s Go Crazy”), Prince also surprised with lesser known hits (“Shh,” “Anotherloverholeinthehead”) and unlikely covers (Radiohead’s “Creep,” The Beatles’ “Come Together,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel”).

Prince © Stuart Myerburg

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Saturday, April 26
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