Apr 12th '12 by @ 2:21pm 17 Comments

Kendrick Lamar (2:40 Friday, Coachella Stage): An early-afternoon main-stage spot is not exactly an enviable position for an ascendant rapper known for dense verbiage and quick-tongue delivery. But to see Kendrick live is to recognize that you're seeing a star in mid-birth. Kendrick's stage presence is fierce and intense, and his fans' devotion is absolute. This set, not too far from his Compton hometown, could be a real coming-out party, and he's also expected to show up alongside mentor figure Dr. Dre later in the festival.
Girls (5:40 Friday, Outdoor Theatre): As San Francisco Girls press onward, their audience growing as their sound becomes more refined and massive, Coachella is a big look for the bleak, sun-stained opuses of Father, Son, Holy Ghost. I’m guessing the sun doesn’t set ‘till a little bit after they’ll leave the stage, but a sunset/”Vomit” breakdown could easily be pegged as a hypothetical highlight of the festival at the time of this publication.Death Grips (5:45 Friday, Gobi): This Sacramento noise-rap crew remains pretty mysterious, despite their brand-new major-label contract, and not many of us have seen them live yet. But their squealing, scraping neo-Bomb Squad attack should absolutely bludgeon its way through the festival grounds. Despite all the great reunited hardcore bands on this year's bill, this could be the act to beat for sheer loud immediacy.Pulp (7:50 Friday, Coachella Stage): Pulp's 1995 appearance at Glastonbury, where they served as the last-second replacements for the Stone Roses, is the stuff of legend. This probably won't prove to be that sort of watershed moment, but it's still the reunited band's first American festival appearance in more than a decade, and the Britpop greats have long proven themselves consummate festival pros, with a deep catalog of classics, a few killer singalong choruses ("Common People"!), and, in Jarvis Cocker, a frontman whose gawky showmanship is pretty much unparalleled.Mazzy Star (8:50 Friday, Outdoor Theatre): For fans of a certain age, Mazzy Star’s return being a humongous deal is a bit of an understatement. Hope Sandoval’s dreamy, lovelorn rock style has made its way into the sound of recent standouts like Sharon Van Etten, so it won’t be too hard to turn some young folks on during their Coachella stint. Also, can you imagine what it’s going to be like when they start playing “Fade Into You”?
15 Photos »

COACHELLA BACK. And, this year, the bacchanalia stretches across two weekends featuring identical lineups, as well as an interim week of non-Coachella shows in L.A., so if you’re looking for live music in your city and there’s none to be had outside of that one bar band that always plays Happy Hour on Tuesdays at O’Halligan’s, this is why. This year’s Coachella contains another dizzying slate of intriguing prospects, and today we’ll run down 15 shows not to miss this weekend, featuring Radiohead, Pulp, Kendrick Lamar, God Speed! You Black Emperor, and more. Hit the gallery for the set time-sequential list.

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Comments (17)
  1. sfgeek  |   Posted on Apr 12th, 2012 +1

    Can I just want to see Pulp? Even though I’m nowhere near California, I still would like to see Pulp. Can they tour near my town? Ever?

    Reply
  2. raptor jesus  |   Posted on Apr 12th, 2012 +3

    Flattering picture of Thom Yorke you found.

    Reply
  3. Maarten Bayliss  |   Posted on Apr 12th, 2012 0

    i can only assume “Bonus points for (At the drive in) getting back together just because they wanted to, not because of the money.” is sarcasm

    Reply
  5. Austin David Sherwin  |   Posted on Apr 12th, 2012 0

    Saw Explosions in the Sky with girlfriend… no “your hand in mine” saddest day ever :(

    Reply
  7. Wesley Morgan Paraham  |   Posted on Apr 12th, 2012 +3

    I’m surprised at the lack of tUnE-yArDs. Their live shows are always fantastic.

    Reply
    • raptor jesus  |   Posted on Apr 13th, 2012 0

      Flying Lotus debuting his entire new album is definitely a must-see for me.

      Also I was thinking, isn’t Jeff Mangum sort of a “Don’t Miss Him”? His legendary reclusive status makes this performance seem like a now or never moment.

      Reply
  9. Kevin Broydrick  |   Posted on Apr 13th, 2012 -2

    Shouldn’t it be “15 Coachella 2012 Performances To Not Miss”?

    Reply
  10. Stuart Malan  |   Posted on Apr 13th, 2012 0

    IMO Coachella has a weak lineup this year. When Lollapalooza has a better lineup you know its a down year.

    Reply
  11. Elyse Howdershell  |   Posted on Apr 14th, 2012 0

    Woah! You totally have to add Death Grips to the list..They’re so sick! Come on..even Pitchfork is raving about them…they’re great!
    http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13421-ive-seen-footage/

    Reply

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