WE 3 BABES made it back alive to Los Angeles out of the desert. We survived a sandstorm, several marriage proposals, and midnight hikes out of the venue. We had a marvelous time, so marvelous that I’m finding myself tempted to reappear for Weekend 2 ;D
PRO TIPS must haves: tissue, hand sanitizer, SPF and a scarf (to sit on the ground with and also to cover your face for the dusty walk home). Leave your headdresses and light toys at home. Get your kicks painted at the Lacoste party. Dress comfortably. HYDRATE. Put away your phone to save battery – you can’t even refresh your instagram anyway.
If you suffer from FOMO anxiety, just know that there is at least 21 other epic things happening ALL AT THE SAME TIME and there’s nothing you can do about it except to enjoy yourself. Just know what scene you’re going for – fashion, business, celebrities, partying, pool hopping, or you know, for the music. But don’t fret, wherever you go the people watching is guaranteed to be fascinating, the new friends will be fun and you’ll have a ball!
Here’s what I enjoyed (musically) the most from weekend 1…
Pre-Chella – Riding the build up of seeing friends from across the USA, we arrived Thursday evening for extra chill time and to have an easy-going first day. Here are some of my favorites played by friends that are like family to me.
Donna Summers – Bad Girls (Boys Noise Remix)
I know, it’s embarrassing that I hadn’t heard it. But I love my friends ! X
Flume – On Top Ft. T Shirt
Thanks for sharing this gem Tommy. Flume had a super sick show on Saturday, definitely do not miss it Weekend 2 goers!
Donna Lewis – I love You Always Forever
Ace of Base – I Saw The Sign
A car full of babes cruising means there has to be a couple 90s throwback songs.
Gorgon City – Here For You (feat. Laura Welsh)
Newest track from Gorgon City, brilliant as to be expected.
Chris Issak – Wicked Game (Lane 8 Edit)
Lane 8 is a local Angeleno DJ and Occidental Alumni, who’s blowing up from his great edits.
Lo Fang - When We’re Fire
Lo Fang certainly is one to keep your eye on! He performs with Lorde along with making his own sweet, sweet sounds. Oh, and he’s beautiful.
Coachella Day 1: Friday
Starting off Day 1 right with the babes, Jacqui & Chanler.
Ellie Goulding – I really liked her outfit, she seems like a very chilled back version of Lady Gaga. She was very on point live, but we were antsy to go roam.
Neko Case – Walked into her performance of Right Angle, beautiful set.
Broken Bells – I’d never seen them, and have only listened to their tracks in passing, but I was very pleasantly surprised by their amazing live sound.
Bonobo – An absolute dream live. They’re one of the ultimate rock electronic bands, somewhere between Ratatat and Radiohead. Take a listen to “Heaven For The Sinner feat. Erykah Badu” in
BABECHELLA chill vibes if you need musical evidence.
Guest singer – who is she?
Chromeo – you were my first EDM Show at Sasquatch & you make me so happy! Bless you and your talents. A must see if you’ve never experienced him live.
Koodkid – An amazing live performance filled with horns and instruments and self made visuals. He’s the ultimate French medieval goth, so chic.
Flume – As I reiterated with the pre-chella tracks, this is a MUST GO.
The Knife – I’ve wanted to see The Knife live for almost 8 years now. They blew me away and everyone I know who witnessed it. Already polyrhythmic and avant garde, they took their set to the next level with music making choreography, futuristic outfits and a mind-blowing Latin inspired rendition of “We Shared Our Mother’s Health”.
Coachella Day 2: Saturday
Playing at the Lacoste #LiveBeautifully day party (Thank you Dan Regan x)
Lorde – Absolutely on point, absolutely excellent live. One of the best sounds from the entire festival. We will be seeing her around for a very, very long time. Her band mates are amazing as well, check out Lo Fang from pre-chella to see what I mean. And of course, mega-congratulations to Emma and Jimmy x
DARKSIDE – Nicolas Jaar is like the sexy darth vader of the electronic scene. My good homie Dean put it perfectly when he said the guitarist/other half, Dave Harrington, was like watching Pink Floyd in a club.
Pharrell – Everyone had a smile on for this set. Pharrell once again spreads joy and love with his gifts, helped out by plenty of stunning guest appearances. I ADORE this video of him discussing Happy with Oprah (I dare you not to cry!)
http://elitedaily.com/music/pharrell-sobs-tears-of-joy-while-watching-the-world-dance-to-happy/
Nas + Jay Z – Using just the basic mic and sound set up, Nas showed the crowd what hip-hop originally was and is supposed to be. Jay-Z said the same things, giving major coos to Nas in-between numbers as a stellar guest performer.
Bonus shout out to the “Sprung Mix” CD – We listened to this CD mix in the limo that swooped us from the exit and kindly drove us home. It was given to BFF and babe/muse/artist Chanler at random in the festival, and ended up being an epic mix of throwbacks that made for a funny surprise to a long desert night.
Coachella Day 3: Sunday
Cooling off Sunday at the Do Lab with these two beautiful mermaids
Etta James – Sunday Kind of Love
https://soundcloud.com/xka/etta-james-a-sunday-kind-of-love
Leave it up to a household of cool artisan French men to play a quintessential Sunday jam.
Ill Esha (DJ Set) – Great set at the Do Lab that set the mood for the rest of the day. Thanks for the chill vibes and water mist!
Art Department – Always entrancing since underground Animal Club days back in 2011. The A/C was a nice touch too, thanks Yuma Tent.
Aluna George – One of my most favorite live sets all weekend, so solid and amazingly talented. Her own tracks hold their own to her debut hit with Disclosure “White Noise”. Take a listen to “Kaleidoscope Love” in the first BABECHELLA playlist.
Calvin Harris – I was taken aback about how right the French dudes were about being stoked for Calvin Harris. It was such a fun set! Was that a guest appearance by Katy G?
Arcade Fire – For an irreplaceable epic final moment, I found myself hoisted up on sturdy shoulders high above the crowd for “Wake Up”, their theme song for Where The Wild Things Are. I loved their disco ball costume (I’d wear it), but the defining moment was definitely when Debbie Harry from Blondie made a special cameo to sing “Hearts of Glass” with Archade Fire’s endearing Regine Chassagne.
It’s been an absolute pleasure to report back to all you Dirty Dancers.
Here’s to Weekend TWO!
XO,
Victoria