COACHELLA '17 | The Top 5 Acts
Festival experts will try to tell you Weekend 2 of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is the inferior weekend. "Less surprises", they say. "Less guests, less celebrity sightings."
As a first timer, I went in blind and chose Weekend 2 based on next to nothing besides the dates being more convenient - and it’s safe to say it was nowhere near the disappointment I was warned it would be! Performances were tight, energies were high, and the famous dust was no thicker than the previous weekend.
It’s hard to select only five standout acts, especially with star-studded headliners and a stacked undercard, but here you go, Gigamovers - my pick for the Best Performances of Weekend 2 are:
5.
Father John Misty
He may often make headlines for his outlandish behaviour (for example, his provocative lyrics about Taylor Swift and the accompanying 'Total Entertainment Forever' music video starring Macaulay Culkin), but Josh Tillman’s prowess as a live performer is undeniable. His lucrative brand of intensity, melancholy and flippancy all blended together makes for a unique experience- the audience was captivated. Tillman makes it all too easy to get lost in his beautiful voice and heavy social commentary within his lyrics. He debuted songs from his new album, 'Pure Comedy', along with earlier hits as the sun set over the mountains.
4.
Lorde
After an extended and much deserved (albeit perhaps too long) break from the spotlight, Lorde is back with a vengeance. A fresh sound, heartbreaking lyrics depicting a break up, and a ferocity we haven’t yet seen from the young star. On stage she was a force to be reckoned with, when she wasn’t charming the crowd with adorable anecdotes, she was whirling around, flaunting those signature dance moves. I should add that before Coachella, I didn’t consider myself a huge Lorde fan, but hers was the only set that brought me to tears during the weekend festivities. Her new album, 'Melodrama' - one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2017, is out June 16th.
3. Lady Gaga
The most die-hard Beyonce fan would agree after witnessing this performance, that Lady Gaga is likely the only artist up to the job of replacing Queen Bey. Gaga is an artist who throws her entire being into her performances. She left fans absolutely floored by a stellar spectacle of a show with all the trimmings: costume changes, flawlessly executed choreography, eccentric props and literal fireworks.
When Gaga tells the audience she loves them, they believe her. It’s easy to imagine she’d be kind and grateful to each and every fan she met.
Gaga was a musical powerhouse, delivering an incredible vocal performance and playing multiple instruments with ease. Being a long time fan but never having seen her live, witnessing what she’s best at made it all the more clear how she’s been able to cement herself so firmly in the pop-culture zeitgeist and leave the huge and lasting impact she has on pop music.
2.
Bon Iver
If sitting on the train and listening to Bon Iver with headphones can be a spiritual experience, then seeing those beautiful songs brought to life, backed by a full band and an array of guest backups and collaborators was like going to nirvana itself.
Justin Vernon has an incredible ability to use his voice as an instrument, distorting and layering until it’s barely recognisable, but still manages to contain his signature haunting falsetto, or gritty snarls. His set included both older hits and songs from his latest release '22, A Million', a hard right turn from his previous works.
His entire performance was received with a kind of stunned adoration from fans, each piece utterly enchanting. Every heart in the audience was warmed when, for his last number, Justin was joined onstage by Francis Starlite of Francis & The Lights for a beautiful rendition of their 2016 collaboration 'Friends', including the famous dance from the music video. It was a definite highlight of the weekend, which could only be topped by one other performance...
1.
Kendrick Lamar
It’s a special thing to witness somebody at the top of the game do their thing. And that’s exactly what 100,000 odd lucky spectators were treated to on the final night of the festival.
From an elaborate movie detailing Kung Fu Kenny’s training and battling his foes, to a Cirque Du Soleil-style acrobatic act as he performed a track from new album 'Damn', there wasn’t a dull moment in Kendrick’s set. His first single from the album, Humble, has just hit #1 on the Billboard top 100. In fact every single song from the album has a place in the Top 100. The guy is untouchable right now, critics have hailed him as best rapper alive for years, and he now has the commercial success to back it up.
His performance on Sunday night embraced the gift for storytelling that’s unique to Kendrick, weaving detailed tapestries and stunning visuals that served to compliment both his new songs and older hits. Watching him strut around the stage was an absolute delight; he was having the time of his life. He closed out the show with a gorgeous rendition of 'Love', a highlight from 'Damn', and when he sang “I wanna be with you, Chella”, it was too sincere not to fall for him in return.
When asked if it was worth the money, the heat, the dust, the three hour long shower lines and overpriced beer, I doubt one Coachella attendee would answer in the negative. It truly is a one of a kind event, and its exponential growth will only continue in coming years.
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