April 21, 2012
I’m gunna say it. Day 2 lineup was kinda whack. I mean, yes Radiohead is the shit and all that, and I missed OG English punk band Buzzcocks and Harlem-based funky rapper Azealia Banks so I don’t really have the right to talk, but by far the highlight of the day was Flying Lotus’ Gobi set, which was packed as it should be. Having all the good acts perform on Day 3 was obviously a strategic move by the Goldenvoice camp to make sure folks return on Sunday. It worked.
We got off to a slow start, so decided to hit up Vice’s Jansport party because, well, I really needed a backpack. Hands-free is essential at Coachella and for some reason I only packed a hot-ass black leather purse. You can imagine my excitement when upon arriving to a secret location in the desert called Thermal and sniffing out backpacks, I was let inside a trailer housing hundreds of them, including this cool ’70s remake. Coachella parties are all the rage, but I’m personally not a big fan of drinking in 1,000° heat and sitting in a pool with a 1,000 people. I am a fan of free food though, and this party had some pretty tasty Cuban-style black beans and ropa vieja. If only I wasn’t wearing a tight white dress or I would’ve gone for thirds. The man-made lake was the perfect setting for Crystal Antlers and Pangea performances. We bounced after getting our swag on.
Back at Coachella, we caught Andrew Bird, then Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, which ended in a sentimental nod to Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” The crowd sang in unison and all was good. We paid the Sahara another visit and caught Italian Swede Sebastian Ingrosso’s set, which I thought was better than David Guetta’s, before tripping out on the animated Chinese Horoscope-themed visuals that added flavor to DJ Shadow-meets-J-Dilla Flying Lotus’ set.
I ain’t gunna lie. By the end of the night I broke out in a heat rash, so was in no mood to really appreciate Radiohead. Besides, I had to save myself for Sunday’s grand finale.
Special shout-out to Martha Garcia of Chinese Laundry for hooking me up with these Ginger Snap sandals.
To read Week 2, Day 1 at Coachella: Three Magical Days in the Desert