I Wanna Take You Higher: Coachella 2008

Sunday, April 27, 2008:

Early in the day, Welsh powerhouse Duffy won over the audience with her retro soul and husky vocals. Genuinely shocked by the reception she received and the crowd’s familiarity with her material, she was refreshingly unaffected as she performed a strong set of songs from her debut Rockferry. Meanwhile, Toronto’s Stars were bouncing confidently through their impressive catalog of intelligent pop. Alternately introspective (“Personal”) and joyous (“What I’m Trying to Say”), they ended with a truly rousing version of “Take Me to the Riot.”

Duffy © Stuart Myerburg

Taking a break from the indie pop, it was time for something different with a DJ set from Kidsister with A-Trak. The billing was a bit misleading, though. It really should have been “A-Trak featuring Kidsister” because A-Trak stole the show with his opening solo set. The prodigy (and brother of one half of Chromeo) wowed the audience and filled the tent to overflowing with his turntable skills and blend of old school hip hop, 80s hits, and new hipster favorites.

Kidsister and A-Trak © Stuart Myerburg

On the heels of Bauhaus‘ triumphant return at Coachella two years ago, Bauhaus offshoot Love & Rockets reunited this year with a hits-heavy Goth-pop set. David J and Daniel Ash opened with “Ball of Confusion” and made their way through “Haunted When the Minute Drags,” “No New Tale to Tell,” and “Kundalini Express.” “Ying and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)” concluded the set, at which point the band was joined by the dancing Bubblemen from the video. Eventually engaging in an impromptu pillow fight with the Bubblemen, it was obvious the band were enjoying themselves as much as the rabid fans in the audience.

Love and Rockets © Stuart Myerburg

David J © Stuart Myerburg

Daniel Ash © Stuart Myerburg

A Bubbleman with Kevin Haskins © Stuart Myerburg

The festival ended with the powerful trio of Simian Mobile Disco, Chromeo, and Justice. Simian Mobile Disco, while only two men twiddling knobs behind a bank of equipment, set the mood with a heavy-hitting set, sampling vocals when needed on hits “It’s the Beat” and “Hustler.”

Simian Mobile Disco © Stuart Myerburg

Chromeo is the only traditional band of the three closing acts. However, they were also the weakest link. Their vastly entertaining electrofunk did not translate as well as their colleagues’ more forceful dance beats.

Chromeo © Stuart Myerburg

But it would have been difficult to compete with Justice, regardless. Their booming live sound far exceeded the recorded versions of any of the songs off of †. Impressively, they off-handedly threw big hits “D.A.N.C.E.” and “DVNO” into the middle of the set, choosing to focus instead on their dense instrumentals. The epic “We Are Your Friends” lasted for well over ten minutes and worked the crowd into an almost religious ecstasy, a perfect reaction to a band that traffics in religious symbolism and a perfect end to another superlative festival.

Justice © Stuart Myerburg

Justice © Stuart Myerburg

Click here for more on. . .

Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27

Pages: 1 2 3