Coachella Weekend #1 - Raveena, Bishop Briggs, Mika, Arcade Fire, Phoebe Bridgers, Danny Elfman, Billie Eilish, more

Arcade Fire performing at Coachella 2022.
Photo credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella

With more than 160 artists performing throughout the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, there were plenty of stellar performances to discover across Weekend #1 at the event held April 15-17. Here are some of the highlights shared via the YouTube's livestream across the first three days of the event presented by Goldenvoice. Weekend #2 will play out April 22-24 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.  With the exception of Arcade Fire, all the noted artists are scheduled to return to Indio for Weekend #2.

Friday, April 15

Raveena — The first artist to grab my attention was songstress Raveena, a rising singer with a joyful spirit. Highlights of her set included the dreamy "Mystery" and a song she sang in Hindi where she showed off some cool guitar chops. Much of her focus was on songs from her new album Asha's Awakening —  she noted the new album is an exploration of her Indian heritage; the sounds blend the stylings of her Indian roots with Western pop & R&B . Highlights were the Smooth dance track "Kismet" as well as the tender ballad "Love Overgrown." She also told the crowd that she is one of the first Indian women to ever perform at Coachella.

Bishop Briggs — With a sound and hard-edged approach that somehow blends the stylings of Florence + the Machine, Bat for Lashes and Billie Eilish, Bishop Briggs' energetic performance was even more impressive given that she is pregnant with her first child, and is in the third trimester of that pregnancy. Additionally, her stirring performance came in the wake of the death of her sister Kate McLaughlin who died in 2021 at the age of 30 after a battle with ovarian cancer. Briggs performed several songs for her sister including the poignant "High Water" (she broke down during the performance of the track) and "Art of Survival." Her performance on Weekend #2 is not to be missed.

Win Butler leading Arcade Fire at Coachella 2022. 
Photo credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for Coachella

Arcade Fire — The Canadian troupe's set — not announced until the eve of their April 15 appearance — fully lived up to the expectations of the untold thousands who filled the Mojave Tent for the hour-long set. Singer-guitarist/keyboardist Win Butler and company fully delivered, showcasing both timeless classics (notably "Ready To Start" and "Wake Up") and songs from the band's forthcoming album We (due May 6, 2022). Indeed, "The Lightning I," "The Lightning II," "Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)" and "Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)" made a compelling case that WE has to be among the most highly anticipated albums of 2022. Arcade Fire also acknowledged the tragic world events playing out in Eastern Europe, dedicating a performance of "The Suburbs" to the beleaguered people of the Ukraine. "Everyone in a punk rock band in the Ukraine right now," Butler said. "I'm thinking about everybody who is dealing with the war right now."

From left, Phoebe Bridgers and Arlo Parks at
Coachella on Friday, April 15, 2022. 
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

Phoebe Bridgers - Top-tier singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers made her Coachella debut with a memorable set of a dozen songs presented on Friday night. Coachella is a stop on her 2022 tour, and Bridgers' appearance on a windy night in Indio was magical to be sure. In addition to featuring song from her 2020 disc Punisher, the Los Angeles songstress performed her new song "Sidelines" live for the first time. She also brought out Arlo Parks for duets of "Graceland Too" and the impressive "I Know the End." 

Saturday, April 16

Beach Bunny - an early Saturday standout, the Lili Trifilio-led outfit Beach Bunny offered up a winning mix of melodic punk and power pop on the Outdoor Theatre Stage on Saturday afternoon. The group's first-ever appearance at Coachellafest was highlighted by the driving "Cuffing Season," wistful rocker "Six Weeks" and Weezer-mining "Weeds." The group closed with the retro delight "Painkiller."

Japanese Breakfast  - Led by Korean-American artist Michelle Zauner, Japanese Breakfast turned in one of Saturday's most thrilling performances. Riveting from the start, Zauner and her outstanding five-member band's set included the breezy "Be Sweet," tender Americana-tinged "Kokomo, IN," Neo-psychedelic "Road Head," driving indie rocker "Everybody Wants To Love You" (bolstered by Zauner's flashy lead guitar work) and the expansive "Your Body Is A Blade." She closed her set with the swirling and mighty "Diving Woman," with a cacophony of burgeoning sonics leading to a volcanic finale.

Danny Elfman performing at Coachella with a few friends.
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

Danny Elfman - At 68, Danny Elfman's Saturday night performance also marked his Coachella debut. His so-called "Past, Present and Future! From Boingo to Batman and Beyond!" premiere was no empty promise. Over the course of 60 exhilarating minutes the legendary leader of Oingo Boingo and acclaimed film composer led a hard-edged rock outfit and large orchestra through a dizzying mix of material at his first proper full-length show "as myself" in 27 years. Fans of Elfman's truly groundbreaking new wave act Oingo Boingo got amped up versions of "Nothing to Fear (But Fear Itself)," "Insects," "Only a Lad," the Halloween-minded "Dead Man's Party" and the rousing closer "Who Do You Want to Be." 

Danny Elfman performing at Coachella on April 16, 2022.
Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

Lovers of Elfman's extensive and signature film work were equally in luck; a section of his orchestral score from 2002's "Spider-Man," along with instrumental sections of 1990's "Edward Scissorhands," 2010's "Alice's Theme" (from "Alice in Wonderland") and 1989's "Batman" showcased the terrific orchestra and choir. Chief among the audience favorites was a medley from the animated classic "The Nightmare Before Christmas" ("Jack's Lament/This is Halloween/What's This?") and even the theme from the long-running animated series "The Simpsons."

He also performed enthralling selections from his 2021 album Big Mess, including "Sorry," "True" and "Kick Me."

“Thank you for bringing me out of whatever it’s called … I forget,” Elfman said humbly at the end of the fast-moving set. “Thank you … I like it here.”

From left, Billie Eilish and Damon Albarn at Coachella on Saturday, April 16, 2022. 
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

Billie Eilish - Closing out Saturday was Billie Eilish, who delivered a powerful and incredible set on the Coachella Stage. As if her own confident and crowd-pleasing performance wasn't strong enough thanks to her own musical powers, she brought out Damon Albarn (of Blur, Gorillaz and the Good, the Bad and the Queen fame) to join her for two undeniable selections. After joining forces with Eilish on her affecting ballad "Getting Older" (off Eilish's sophomore album Happier Than Ever) there was an explosive take on Gorillaz's classic "Feel Good Inc." that also featured De La Soul's Posdnuos.

Billie Eilish at Coachella on Saturday, April 16, 2022. 
Photo credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

“[Damon] changed my life in a lot of ways, and changed my view of what music and art and creation could be,” Eilish told the crowd as she introduced Albarn. “My first favorite band ever was the Good, the Bad and the Queen when I was six years-old, and Blur changed the world, and Gorillaz changed the world, and this man is literally a genius, and that’s that.”

Eilish first (and previously) performed at Coachella in 2019. Fast forward to 2022 and the 20-year-old star became the youngest headliner ever in Coachella's storied history.

Check out Eilish's April 16, 2022 Coachella set list below...

1. bury a friend
2. I Didn’t Change My Number
3. NDA
4. Therefore I Am
5. my strange addiction
6. idontwannabeyouanymore
7. lovely
8. you should see me in a crown
9. Billie Bossa Nova
10. GOLDWING
11. Halley’s Comet
12. Oxytocin
13. ilomilo
14. i love you
15. Your Power
16. OverHeated
17. bellyache
18. ocean eyes
19. Getting Older
20. Feel Good Inc.
21. when the party’s over
22. all the good girls go to hell
23. everything i wanted
24. bad guy
25. Happier Than Ever

Other notable performances I caught were Mika, Grupo Firme, Maggie Rogers, FINNEAS and Run the Jewels.

Goldenvoice presents April 2020 Concert Series, coming between April 8 and April 24

The latest news from Goldenvoice...

2020 LINEUP FOR SEVENTH ANNUAL

GOLDENVOICE PRESENTS APRIL

CONCERT SERIES REVEALED

 PERFORMANCES CONFIRMED IN INTIMATE VENUES

THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ARTISTS INCLUDE:

DISCLOSURE, MADEON, FKA TWIGS, SLANDER,

YAEJI, IDLES, PUP, ARI LENNOX, MURA MASA,

CODE ORANGE, MIKA AND MANY MORE 

Los Angeles, CA – Wednesday, February 19, 2020

 

Today, Goldenvoice revealed its lineup for the Goldenvoice Presents April concert series. This year, the series will take over venues throughout Southern California with 30+ shows between April 8 and April 24. Goldenvoice Presents April, now in its seventh year, offers fans the unique opportunity to see their favorite artists in the most intimate settings in Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Barbara, Pomona, Palm Springs and Indio.

For the first time, Chella is part of Goldenvoice Presents April. Taking place at the Riverside County Fairgrounds in Fullenwider Amphitheatre, the show will feature co-headlining performances by Cuco and Chicano Batman with special guests Mariachi Nuevo Amanecer and Mijo Mija. Now in its third year, Chella is a concert to celebrate the local community of the Coachella Desert Valley.

Tickets for these shows will go on sale over the course of three weeks starting this Friday, February 21 at 12:00 PM pacific time. The subsequent on sales will take place Friday, February 28 at 12:00 PM pacific time and Friday, March 6 at 12:00 PM pacific time. Tickets for all shows can be purchased here. See calendar above & visit www.gvpresentsapril.goldenvoice.com for more information and to browse the full list of shows and on sale dates.

The following Goldenvoice Presents April shows are already on sale: Hatsune Miku at Shrine Auditorium on April 8, Disclosure at Santa Barbara Bowl on April 15, and Orville Peck at Arlington Theatre, Santa Barbara on April 22.

Participating venues include: The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, Fonda Theatre, The Novo, Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, 1720, The Glass House, Fox Theater Pomona, Santa Barbara Bowl, Pappy & Harriet’s, The Yost Theater and Fullenwider Auditorium at Riverside County Fairgrounds.

Connect with Goldenvoice for show updates:

Website: www.Goldenvoice.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Goldenvoice

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Goldenvoice

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Goldenvoice

Official Hashtag: #GoldenvoicePresentsApril

Tickets for all #GoldenvoicePresentsApril shows available online here

Mika's 'No Place In Heaven' Special Edition out now

With the terrible terrorist attacks that hit Paris on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, news of the release of Mika's much-anticipated Special Edition of "No Pleace In Heaven" likely didn't receive much attention over the weekend. So I wanted to highlight it here. My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in France, and the families of the victims of the heinous attacks. 

NEW YORK, NY (November 13, 2015) – MIKA releases No Place In Heaven Special Edition[Republic Records/Casablanca Records] at all digital retailers today. It’s available for purchase HERE.
 
The platinum-selling international pop impresario expands his critically acclaimed fourth full-length—2015’s No Place In Heaven—with a bonus 14 staples performed live alongside the Symphonic Orchestra of Montreal.
 
Recorded at the The Orchestra Symphonique de Montreal in Montreal, QC, he adds a new dimension to fan favorites such as “Grace Kelly” and “Elle Me Dit” with accompaniment from the orchestra. His unmistakable voice feels right at home inside these beautiful, bombastic, and booming symphonic arrangements.
 
No Place In Heaven saw MIKA once again evolve, while simultaneously enchanting pop culture at large. The album bowed in the Top 10 of the U.S. iTunes Pop Albums Chart upon release, going Top 5 in five countries around the globe. People described it as “scrumptious ear candy,” and OUT Magazine proclaimed it, “his most sophisticated, self-assured, yet whimsical album to date.”
 
Following release, he performed new music on Good Morning America’s annual Summer Concert Series. Online, the music video for the single “Talk About You” racked up over 3.4 million YouTube/VEVO views. He also paid homage to Queen singer Freddie Mercury with the cinematic “Last Party” video directed by renowned fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, which would receive over 2.1 million views. In addition to snapping the album cover photo, this was Lindbergh’s very first collaboration with a music artist. Recently, MIKA has enjoyed high-profile syncs in both Pitch Perfect 2 and Spy.
 
Outside of music, his influence continues to expand worldwide. MIKA has been a judge on the X Factor Italy and a coach on The Voice France after topping the charts in France with the release “Boum Boum Boum.” He’s also been tapped by watch innovator, Swatch, as a creative ambassador creating striking designs for the line. In addition, he’s collaborated with Italian fashion leader, Valentino, architecting custom suits with the creative directors for his European tour and television appearances.
 
 NO PLACE IN HEAVEN SPECIAL EDITION TRACKLISTING
  

1. Talk About You
2. Good Guys
3. L'Amour Fait Ce Qu’il Veut
4. All She Wants
5. Last Party
6. Les Baisers Perdus
7. No Place In Heaven
8. Staring At The Sun
9. Hurts
10. Boum Boum Boum
11. Good Wife
12. J’ai Pas Envie
13. Oh Girl, you’re the devil
14. Ordinary Man
15. Je Chante
16. TANT QUE J'AI LE SOLEIL
17. Hurts - Remix
18. Beautiful Disaster
19. Feels Like Love

 
Bonus Orchestral Track listing
 

1. Toy Boy
2. Grace Kelly
3. Underwater
4. Boum Boum Boum
5. Relax (Take It Easy)
6. Last Party
7. Origin Of Love
8. Happy Ending
9. Over My Shoulder
10. Good Guys
11. Rain
12. Any Other World
13. Love Today
14. Elle Me Dit