Tag: Live Music

Laura Mvula | Coachella | 4/12/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5161

There aren’t many recording artists that’ll get me up early on a Saturday morning the weekend of Coachella … but Laura Mvula is definitely one of them. This Coachella performance marks the 3 time I’ve seen in this phenomenal singer/musician from the United Kingdom perform live. Having written about her when she opened for Iron & Wine at the Orpheum Theatre and when she also headlined the El Rey Theatre, I don’t feel the need to go more in-depth about her performance. Let’s just say that her set that afternoon, with her warm voice and sophisticated music was sublime, and the perfect  soundtrack to a beautiful and bright desert day.

There is no setlist information available online, so if you Laura Mvula fans happen to know what it was, please leave it in the comments, and I will add here. Thanks!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Girl Talk | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5106
          I’m not going to lie. The first time I saw Girl Talk, years ago at The Palladium, I wasn’t too impressed. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved all of his music (I have most of his albums on wax), but that show felt more like a high school prom with a great DJ than anything. A few years later, at Coachella 2012, I nearly lost my shit when I saw him perform.  Maybe it was the venue. Maybe it was the stage production. I don’t know …. but watching him do his thing at Coachella 2012 really left a favorable impression on me.
          This year, he took the Main Stage, and again, like it was in 2012, I couldn’t help myself and I practically spent my whole time in the photo pit dancing like a fool with my big ass camera propped on my shoulder. I think I may have gotten the stink eye from a couple of the photographers who were in there with me. Meh. At least I had a good time!
          Though I wasn’t in the pit when Girl Talk pulled out the “big guns”, he surprised everybody when he had E40, Too Short, Juicy J and Busta Rhymes come on stage to spit a verse or two over his insane mixes. If only I had been in the pit when that happened, I’d have tons of killer shots to share!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Replacements | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5086

When one of the most influential rock & roll bands of the 80’s decides to play at Coachella, you go. Period.

Though their set may not have been filled with the booze and testosterone that I’ve read about, heard or watched (click HERE or HERE for examples of what I’m talking about), their set demonstrated their legacy in the annals of punk, hardcore and garage rock. It was a solid, polished set that hit on many of their popular hits. Who knows how many more years they’ll be rocking the stage, but I, for one, am glad I was able to catch them perform at Coachella.

The Replacements Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Woodkid | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5068

When I go through a lineup to decide which bands I want to check out, I make sure that I at least watch a video or two on youtube of the act’s music. When I googled Woodkid, I found some videos that immediately caught my attention. The videos were visually stimulating, sharp and stark, mostly in black in white, but what kept my attention was the music. Heavy instrumentals and booming drums, with a contrasting voice that was smooth and subtle.

Woodkid’s stage production, like his music videos, had the black/white effect. All of the players in the band were wearing black, with gothic images projecting on the screen behind him, and the bright white light that shone down on him not only gave me the opportunity to snap some pretty decent photos, but also gave the performance a highly dramatic effect.

Woodkid’s performance was the surprise of my Friday. I’d keep my eye out on Woodkid and his music. With the right type of exposure, I can imagine him doing big things state-side.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Broken Bells | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5048

Brian Burton p/k/a Danger Mouse caught my attention back in 2004 when he released “The Grey Album” which combined Jay-Z’s vocal performances from “The Black Album” with instrumentals from the Beatles’ “White Album”.  That project blew my mind, and I’ve been following his musical output since (Gnarles Barkley with Cee Lo Green, his work on the Gorrillaz album “Demon Days”, etc). James Mercer is the founder and lead singer-sonwriter of the indie rock group The Shins and I’m proud to say that I have most of their albums.

When they joined forces back in 2009 to form the side project Broken Bells, it immediately caught my attention. When they were announced as an act at Coachella, I made a point of it to circle it on my schedule as a band I couldn’t miss.

The set design was simple with Danger Mouse on one side of the stage and James Mercer on the other. I was relegated to the side of the stage James Mercer was on while taking pictures, so I couldn’t get a great shot of Danger Mouse. Behind them a video screen played simple designs becoming their musical tone. It was a great, soothing set, and if they ever tour Los Angeles in the future, I’d hope that they play a venue like the Hollywood Bowl or The Greek. Whatever the venue, however, I’ll be sure to buy myself a ticket.

 

Broken Bells Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014

 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

HAIM | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5010

 

My guilty pleasure? Wholesome pop-rock that sounds like it could have come from the mid to late 80s. That’s why I decided to check out HAIM’s set at Coachella. Having heard a lot about their music, I’ve been wanting to purchase their debut LP “Days Are Gone” for a while now, only to resist the temptation because it seemed like every time I was at the record store, there were girls half my age hanging out by that section of the record rack.

Early technical difficulties aside, their set exhibited a clean, upbeat rock-pop sound. They also spent a good 5 minutes doing what I believe was an impromptu jam which flexed their chops as musicians that could shred with the best of them. That earned my respect.

I was impressed, and I certainly wouldn’t mind catching them perform in a more intimate venue at some point in the future. I guess I’ll just have to suck up my machismo for now, pick up the album the next time I’m out buying records.

HAIM Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014, Days Are Gone

Note: Let Me Go was on the setlist, but wasn’t played due to time constraints

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

A$AP Ferg | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_5007

 

After being ushered out of the photo pit for Grouplove, I decided to head over to the Outdoor Theatre in order to grab a bite to eat before setting up to take pictures of HAIM. A$AP Ferg was on stage bringing it with the A$AP Mob when all of a sudden I notice A$AP Rocky running on stage. In an almost instinctual motion, I started running towards the stage with my camera in tow.

Although photographers are typically only allowed to photograph either the first three songs or first 15 minutes, of an artist’s set in the photo pit, I somehow finagled my way into the photo pit and was able to take a few pictures of both A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky on stage together at Coachella.

Looking down at my watch I noticed that there was about 15 minutes left to his set, I decided to keep taking pictures until A$AP Ferg had donned a jacket that seemed to spray, streams of steam out of the sleeves. Considering that I had rented my lens, I decided that that was a good a time as any to leave the photo pit and grab a bit to eat. It was the first “special appearance” of an artist at the festival, and I think that one of the pics I snapped with Ferg and Rocky is a keeper. What do you think?

ASAP Ferg Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Grouplove | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_4989

 

I knew that Grouplove’s music was fun, but I had no idea I’d be having so much fun taking pictures of them while they were performing. The energy that they emit from the stage while performing induced everybody, myself included, to jump and dance around, even in the sweltering desert heat. The expressiveness on their faces, and in their actions, while performing songs in the their set was really a pleasure to shoot. Hopefully, I’ve been able to capture some of that contagious energy in a few of my pics.

As a side note, after looking at their set list (below) I noticed that they covered both an A$AP Rocky and a Beyonce songs. Both artists, by the way, made special guest appearances over the weekend. Hmm … if you happen to be at Coachlla during week 2, and you happen to catch Grouplove’s set, keep an ear out to hear what songs they cover in their set. Maybe they know something we don’t know… just saying’…

 

Grouplove Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014, Spreading Rumours

 

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Jagwar Ma | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

Jagwar Ma is three piece, Australian psychedelic/dance band that formed in Sydney. Their first full length album, Howlin’, in my opinion, reminded me a bit of the Stone Roses, and being a Stone Roses fan, I wanted to check out their live set. After my time in the photo pit had ended (side note: I had problems with my camera settings, and a lot of the pics that I thought were good came out underexposed <- insert sad face here), I spend another 15 minutes laid out on the grass under the shade of the the tent to let their clean, unique sound envelope me. If I hadn’t had a schedule of bands I wanted to shoot over the weekend, I would have bought myself a beer, and stayed there sprawled on the grass, in the shade, until the their set had ended. I’ve been a bit hesitant to purchase their LP, but I think I’ll need to remedy that the next time I’m at the local record shop.

Jagwar Ma Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Dum Dum Girls | Coachella | 4/11/14 (PHOTOS)

IMG_4927
     I’m a fan of Dee Dee Penny (nee Kristin Welchez) and her sound. Based on some of her more recent work (like “Too True To Be Good” and “Coming Down”), her voice and style reminds me of some of the female rock-pop fronted bands I grew up with (off the top of my head, maybe an amalgam of Lucious Jackson, Siouxsie Sioux and Mazzy Star).
     When the band took to the stage, wearing their trademark black, Dee Dee brought a little “shock and awe” wearing a sheer top with strategically placed pasties. The band launched into their 12 song, 45 minute set under in the sweltering desert sun, but didn’t let the heat hold them down, bringing it instead. I enjoyed what I heard and I plan on keeping tabs on the band’s music to see how it develops from here.

Dum Dum Girls Setlist Coachella Festival 2014 2014

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BLOG ENTRIES OF OTHER BANDS I SAW AT COACHELLA!

by Categories: ConcertsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment