Coachella Report: Day 1

Coachella Report: Friday, April 16

After getting a very late start on my day (the traffic and the admission line were both brutal) I was able to catch a very diverse mix of acts.

Playing on the main stage when I entered was Street Sweeper Social Club. I didn’t spend a lot of time listening to the band, but the crowd seemed to really enjoy its performance. I liked what I heard, and was hugely disappointed that I had left so soon after later learning that SSSC is comprised of Rage Against the Machine rocker Tom Morello and hip-hop artist Boots Riley. Morello is a fiend on the guitar and I wish I could have caught more of his act–I highly suggest folks check SSSC out.

As I oriented myself with the grounds (the vastness of Coachella is impressive in itself) I found the stage featuring Zooey Deschanel’s group She & Him. Although the bouncy music was sweet and reminded me of driving to the beach, it wasn’t enough to keep my interest for very long, and I was eager to get back to the main stage for The Specials (a band I had heard lots about during my two and a half hour wait to get in) and Them Crooked Vultures.

The Specials was pleasantly surprising, delivering an energy-packed performance. What is even more impressive is the fact that most of the band members look as though they’re in their 50s and 60s–apparently the British group has been rocking since the late 1970s. Their ska music, full of political and social commentary, pleased the entire crowd, which ranged from a five-year-old atop his dad’s shoulders (who, hilariously, did not miss a single lyric) and gray-haired men jumping up and down. I think I have found a new favorite.

Next up: Them Crooked Vultures, featuring Queens of the Stone Age’s Joshua Homme, Nirvana/Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl (the main reason why I wanted to see the band in the first place), and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones (a rock legend). Needless to say, they ROCKED…and rocked HARD. It’s hard to imagine a band more packed with talent. I was thoroughly impressed with Homme’s voice (I am not that familiar with Queens, so this was my first legitimate introduction to him) and Jones’ ability to play a variety of interests exceedingly well. Seeing Grohl attack his drum set (with the zeal of a beast) was definitely the highlight of the performance for me, but the entire set was memorable and Them Crooked Vultures has an enthusiastic addition to its fan base.

I made my way to the pit for the next act, LCD Soundsystem, but only so that I could be closer for the night’s headliner, Jay Z. Although LCD had fun moments, most of the songs felt monotonous and were far longer than necessary. I was pleased, unlike many of those surrounding me, when its set ended; pleased, that is, until the crowd turned into a mob, viciously pushing forward in order to close the gap between the back row and the stage for the rapper’s highly anticipated performance.

The hour-long wait for Jay Z was hot, miserable, and sticky–but it was totally worth it. He delivered a powerhouse performance, which felt more like a fantastic rock show than a rap concert. His band is excellent and provides the perfect backing to his famous rhymes. Jay Z opened with “Run This Town,” an intense and perfect beginning to what would be a very memorable set. Hit after hit followed, including “99 Problems,” “Can I Get A…,” “Empire State of Mind,” and “Dirt Off Your Shoulder.” I left during the latter track, due to oxygen deprivation, dehydration, and starvation, but smiled as I walked out of the grounds, hearing Jay Z please the crowd with every lyric. Even from my car I could tell that his set only got better, as elaborate fireworks brightened the sky.

Apparently I missed a guest appearance by Beyonce, which frankly sucks, but all-in-all the first day of my very first Coachella was definitely one for the scrapbooks. I can’t wait for Saturday!

Check out some of my photos:

coachella crowd

Jay-Z

Zooey Deschanel from She & Him

The Specials

Dave Grohl from Them Crooked Vultures