Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2024: Weekend 2 Recap

Coachella at night / Photo by Robert Kinsler

2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

When: April 19-21, 2024

Where: Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA

What follows is followup coverage to an article published in Desert Star Weekly on April 24, 2024 highlighting Robert Kinsler and writer George A. Paul's favorite moments of Weekend 2 of the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held Friday-Sunday, April 19-21, 2024 in Indio, CA. Below is Robert Kinsler's specific take on the event. Read the original coverage including George A. Paul's essential reviews of his favorite three performances HERE.

Pictured: "Dancing In The Sky" art installation by Morag Myerscough
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Lance Gerber

2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

When: April 19-21, 2024

Where: Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA

Friday, April 19, 2024

Pictured: Late Night Drive Home performing on April 19.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Mykiaela Pierre-Louis 

Although Narrow Head delivered an entertaining and hard-rocking set that recalled the raw approach of Dinosaur Jr., it was an exhilarating 35-minute outing from Late Night Drive Home that really impressed me early Friday afternoon. The Texas-based band's wonderful sound recalled a combination of early U2, Old 97's and The Replacements and the use of three electric guitars gave an extra boost to their set.

Pictured: The Japanese House performing on April 19.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Demian Becerra

The next standout for day 1 of weekend 2 was a strong performance from England's the Japanese House (the moniker for singer-songwriter Amber Bain). Performing in the Mojave Tent before a discerning crowd, her 40-minute set allowed her to showcase her signature blend of indie rock, folk rock, dream pop and even tinges of jazz. The bouncy "Touching Yourself," sumptuous "Boyhood" (the latter a single from her second album In The End It Always Does) and lovely closer "Sunshine Baby" were among the terrific originals Bain played.

Pictured: Faye Webster performing on April 19.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Julian Bajsel

Equally powerful was American singer-songwriter Faye Webster, who impressed from the opening "But Not Kiss" with its atmospheric soundscape surrounding her captivating soprano and and her band's dynamic sonic bursts. Her 40-minute set was filled with great originals showcasing her alt country-meets-indie pop sound. The Americana-styled "Wanna Quit All The Time," bewitching "Thinking About You," dreamy "Right Side Of My Neck" and confessional "A Dream With a Baseball Player" were other highlights of her outing in the Mojave Tent.

Pictured: Jordan Feller performing on April 19.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Nicole Busch

After the sun went down, I caught a good part of the sets from both Neil Frances and headliner Lana Del Rey. The better of these performances was the energetic electronica duo Neil Frances featuring Southern California native Marc Gilfry and Australia-born Jordan Feller who pumped up a packed Gobi Tent with their high energy dance music.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Pictured: Erika de Casier performing on April 20.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Demian Becerra

Erika de Casier performed early Saturday bringing a cool Zero 7 meets chill to the Gobi Tent. This writer was not familiar with the Portuguese-born Danish singer-songwriter, but her 40-minute set established a wonderful mood.

Pictured: The Aquabats performing on April 20.
Photo courtesy of Coachella /
Photo credit: Demian Becerra

Fans of '90s alt rock had plenty to celebrate on Saturday. Whether by accident or design, pop-punk ska heroes The Aquabats, reggae punk outfit Sublime, groundbreaking Britpop favorites Blur and Orange County-spawned hitmakers No Doubt all performed on the bill at Coachellafest within the span of 7 hours.

With their masks and matching superhero costumes the Aquabats fused catchy high-energy songs, bona fide comedy, costumed villains and tossing of inflated props into the crowd to engage the excited audience throughout a fast-moving 45-minute set. The band's musical brew is a winning mix of alt rock and punk with a dose of ska, new wave and synth-pop for good measure.

From the melodic punk opener "Pool Party!" and Devo-flavored "Karate Body!" to several new originals ("No Rewind!" and "Doctor Space Mummy!" from the forthcoming album Finally! coming in June), the troupe thrilled the Sonora tent with their fun approach. Some of my favorite selections included the horns-adorned "No Rewind!", ska-punk cut "Martian Day!" and closer "The Shark Fighter!" 

Pictured: Jakob Nowell performing with Sublime.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / 
Photo credit: Anna Downs

Anyone wondering how Sublime could possibly at Coachella 2024 perform given the death of lead singer/guitarist Brad Nowell from a heroin overdose back in 1996 quickly learned what was happening given a short video tribute that preceded the third wave ska band's late afternoon set on the Coachella Stage. In late 2023, founding members Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) reunited to perform with Brad Nowell's son Jakob Nowell for a benefit show. The 28-year-old Nowell (who does sound remarkably like his late father) led the band through an entertaining set of punk rock, ska punk and reggae-tinged favorites including "What I Got," "Wrong Way," "April 29, 1992 (Miami)" and the festive closer "Santeria."

Pictured: Blur performing on April 20, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Alden Bonecutter

Blur delivered a powerful and affecting hour-long set on Saturday night, featuring a track listing that featured originals pulled from across the English quartet's 30-year career. Highlights included early gems ("Trouble in the Message Centre," "Popscene"), new standouts from the band's glorious 2023 return The Ballad of Darren ("St. Charles Square," "The Narcissist"), as well as classics including "Song 2," "Trimm Trabb" with Damon Albarn's dynamic vocals and "Beetlebum" — the latter bolstered by Graham Coxon's extended lead guitar explosions at the song's finale). The band was also joined on stage by the Torres Martinez Cahuilla Bird Singers to add rich Native American sonic layers to several songs including "Death of a Party" and the moving closer "Tender." 

Before performing "Tender" Albarn noted: "So, in the spirit of transparency and truth, this is probably our last gig and the last time we play this song...no reflection on Coachella. I love Coachella, it's beautiful."

If the cryptic words from Albarn on stage are true and this was Blur's last-ever show, the band (which also includes bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree) have forged an incredible legacy of compelling and lasting rock.

Pictured: No Doubt performing on April 20, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Alden Bonecutter

When No Doubt performed at Weekend 1 of Coachella on April 13 it marked the first live performance by the Orange County hitmakers in nine years. So while the "wow!" factor of the band's Weekend 2 appearance may have not been there, don't tell that to the many thousands of excited fans who packed the field in front of the Coachella Stage to catch the band's 80-minute set. Singer Gwen Stefani led the band (which still features other founding members guitarist Tom Dumont, bassist Tony Kanal and drummer Adrian Young) through a hits-filled set. From the dance-fueled opener "Hella Good" and propulsive new wave followup "Sunday Morning" to an animated take on Talk Talk's "It's My Life" and wistful "Simple Kind of Life," the band hit a home run. The group's effective set list ended with a one-two-three knockout featuring "Just a Girl," "Don't Speak" and "Spiderwebs."

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Pictured: Mdou Moctar performing on April 21, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Coachella / Photo credit: Charles Reagan

Concertgoers who get to Coachella early are often rewarded with the ability to get wonderfully close to performances and also some of the more interesting artists on the bill. Take those who caught Mdou Moctar in the Gobi Tent on Sunday. A Tuareg songwriter and musician based in Niger, his bewitching virtuoso skills on guitar and the exotic sounds of his band somehow seemingly blended Western jam rock, hard rock and traditional African music. 

Pictured: Olivia Dean performing on April 21.
Photo courtesy of Coachella /
Photo credit: Alden Bonecutter

Rising British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean made the most of her short 40-minute set on Sunday afternoon, performing her intoxicating fusion of Neo-soul and Motown mining R&B with a marvelous seven-member band whose talents collectively elevated the performance. Highlights included the uptempo "OK Love You Bye," the joyous dance cut "Reason To Stay," heartfelt tribute to her grandmother "Carmen" and inspired "Dive." There was a palpable connection between the songstress and the audience during the memorable performance. 

Coachella 2024 Weekend 1 recap: established favorites and rising newcomers set to return for Weekend 2

With a lineup featuring approximately 50 different artists performing each day over its 3-day run, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has something for everyone.  Electronica, rock, pop, R&B, soul, urban, dance and Americana are among the genres celebrated at the fest.

Weekend 1 of the 2024 edition of Coachellafest delivered on the promise of the event, with a wide ranging field of both established legends and rising names bringing their A game to the Empire Polo Field in Indio, April 12-14. Superstar acts typically perform on the large "Coachella" and "Outdoor Theatre" stages, while up-and-comers perform at the festival's smaller stages.

Amber Mary Bain, aka the Japanese House performs at Coachella on April 12, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images for Coachella 

Among the early highlights of day 1 were driving alt rock outfit Late Night Drive Home, singer-songwriter the Japanese House (the moniker for English songstress Amber Mary Bain) and New Zealand indie-pop band The Beths.

From left, Elizabeth Stokes and Benjamin Sinclair of
The Beths performing at Coachella.
Photo credit: (YouTube)

Later in the day American singer-songwriter Faye Webster thrilled at the Mojave Stage with her introspective and literate original song craft while singer-guitarist Brittany Howard blended soul, gospel, R& B in her set on the Gobi Stage. The day's headliner, Lana Del Rey, delivered a high-profile set including turns from guest stars Jon Batiste, Jack Antonoff (Bleachers) and Billie Eilish.

Vampire Weekend lead vocalist-guitarist Ezra Koenig at Coachella on April 13.
Photo credit: (YouTube)

Day 2 of the festival featured an equally strong and diverse lineup of artists. Early Saturday attendees were rewarded with a fun set from Huntington Beach-spawned rock band The Aquabats, as well as a stunning return from indie rock great Vampire Weekend (the latter a last-minute addition to this year's festival), and an inspired set from singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste.

Blur guitarist Graham Coxon performing with the Desert Cahuilla Desert Bird Singers on
Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo credit: (YouTube)

The Coachella Stage hosted terrific full-length sets on Saturday afternoon and evening, with impressive performances from Southern California reggae rockers Sublime, groundbreaking Britpop rock quartet Blur, and the reunion performance by Orange County, CA-spawned No Doubt performing live together for the first time in nine years (Olivia Rodrigo was a guest at the latter's set during a performance of "Bathwater"). Late into the night, The Drums thrilled with a 10-song set of '80s-tinged New Wave originals on the Mojave Stage. 

Olivia Dean performing on April 14, 2024.
Photo credit: (YouTube)

The final day of Weekend 1 saw outstanding sets from pop punk rockers Taking Back Sunday, American R&B singer-songwriter Victoria Monét and experimental English electronica duo Jockstrap. I was most impressed by Neo soul singer Olivia Dean; performing on the Gobi Stage, the 25-year-old English singer used her soprano in the service of terrific original songs (including the heartfelt "Carmen" and wonderful closer "Dive") that fully connected with the audience during her 40-minute set.

The good news for fans of the annual event is the same lineup is scheduled to return to Indio, Friday-Sunday, April 19-21. Music lovers who are not able to attend the fest in person can catch the majority of performances being live-streamed on the Coachella YouTube site. Visit that Coachella Livestream site HERE.

Information: Coachella.com.

Robert Kinsler

2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Preview

Coachellagoers walk past "The Messengers," an art installation by artist Kumkum Fernando. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Music writers Robert Kinsler and George A. Paul each highlight some of their must-see artists coming to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachellafest will be held April 12-14 and again April 19-21, 2024. This year's headliners are Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, Doja Cat and No Doubt. There are countless emerging and established artists performing this year.

Fridays, April 12 and 19

Brittany Howard / Photo credit: Bobbi Rich

Brittany Howard — Just two months after the release of her acclaimed album What Now, five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brittany Howard will bring her soulful and high powered approach to Coachellagoers in Indio. The former singer-guitarist of Alabama Shakes, Howard's 2019 debut Jamie landed on a slew of best-of-the-year lists including The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork; it was named NPR's album of the year too. (RK)

Lana Del Rey
Photo credit: Chuck Grant

Lana Del Rey — Acclaimed singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey will bring her parade of wide-ranging hits and stylish approach as the headlining artist on both Fridays of Coachella this month. Last year the New York City native was named the Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st Century by Rolling Stone UK, and her wonderful powers as a vocalist bolster the delivery of wonderful songs such as the dreamy "Video Games," melancholy-adorned "Candy Necklace," electronica-tinged "Doin' Time," piano-anchored soft rock ballad "The Greatest" and shimmering "Say Yes To Heaven." Since the release of her major label debut Born to Die in 2012, the songstress has successfully fused and explored a growing number of styles in her celebrated work. (RK)

Saturdays, April 13 and 20

Sublime — When Sublime founding singer-guitarist Bradley Nowell passed away  in 1996, the band broke up and it appeared the trio from Long Beach, CA might be forgotten. However, the band's third full-length album released two months after Nowell's death spawned the huge enduring hit "What I Got" and interest remained in the reggae rockers. In 2023, founding members Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) announced the reforming of Sublime with Nowell's talented son Jakob Nowell — the band performed at a benefit show at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, and are now set to make a more high-profile return via their Coachella appearances where they will undoubtedly perform energetic classics such as "Wrong Way," "Santeria" and "What I Got." (RK)

British rock great Blur 
Photo credit: Reuben Bastienne Lewis

Blur — During the Nineties, this London quartet spearheaded the Britpop music movement thanks to an inclination toward making eclectic music – a trait singer/songwriter Damon Albarn continues with Gorillaz and other solo projects. Best known in America for the modern rock radio hits “Song 2” (ubiquitous at sporting events), “Girls & Boys” and “There’s No Other Way,” Blur notched a dozen top 10 hits in the U.K. Last year, it headlined two nights at Wembley Stadium there and released their atmospheric, reflective ninth album The Ballad of Darren alongside producer James Ford (Arctic Monkeys). Guitarist/singer Graham Coxon said the songs, recorded with everyone in the same room, were “loaded with the right intention and emotion.” No stranger to Coachella, Blur has played Indio twice before. (GAP)

Bleachers / Photo credit: Alex Lockett

Bleachers — A decade ago, following stints in Steel Train and fun., mild mannered New Jersey native Jack Antonoff launched Bleachers. It is essentially a one-man-band by the Grammy-winning producer/musician (Taylor Swift, St. Vincent), who often crafts rousing rock anthems with multiple instruments and prominent use of saxophone, lending comparisons to Bruce Springsteen (The Boss even appeared on ’20 single “Chinatown”). Bleachers’ popular adult and alt-rock radio singles include “I Wanna Get Better,” “Rollercoaster,” “Don’t Take the Money,” “Stop Making This Hurt,” and recently, “Modern Girl.” The excellent new eponymous fourth album contains guest appearances from Florence Welch, St. Vincent, and Matt Healy of The 1975. Antonoff has also worked with Lana Del Rey, so his Coachella set could easily have some special guests. (GAP)

The Drums / Photo credit: Qiao Meng

The Drums – Singer Jonny Pierce co-founded The Drums in 2008. Two years later, the NYC pop/rock band’s self-titled debut made major inroads in England, where several singles charted there and in Mexico. The reverb-drenched vocals, melodic guitars and keyboard-driven sound frequently recalls the Eighties heyday of Postcard and Rough Trade Records acts. By 2017’s Abysmal Thoughts, The Drums transitioned into a solo vehicle for Pierce, a LGBTQ artist who writes songs with unflinchingly honest lyrics. Last year, The Drums’ old giddy jangle pop gem
“Money” went viral on social media and was certified gold here. Seventh studio album Johnny finds noted female hip hop singer Rico Nasty guesting on “Dying.” A new deluxe version expands the latest release to 21 tracks. (GAP) 

Sundays, April 14 and 21

Taking Back Sunday
Photo credit: Ashley Osborn

Taking Back Sunday — Long Island's Taking Back Sunday was definitely among the more captivating emo/post-hardcore bands to emerge in the late 1990s/early 2000s. A Warped Tour regular, they gained popularity from the get-go with indie album Tell All Your Friends. Yet when guitarist Fred Mascherino joined for Where You Want to Be, his playing style and interlocking vocal interplay with frontman Adam Lazzara took everything up a notch. Modern rock radio hits “Make Damn Sure,” “A Decade Under the Influence,” and “Liar” were prime examples. The intervening years have seen several lineup changes. Solid latest album 152, named after a long-running in-joke between band members, contains what Lazzara said is “a lot of fun stuff and more pop-influenced material.” (GAP) 

TBA

No Doubt — Few people expected a reunion of the massively successful alt-rock and ska band from Anaheim, considering singer Gwen Stefani’s busy solo career, Vegas residencies, coaching stints on NBC’s “The Voice,” clothing and beauty lines and various singles with husband Blake Shelton. Coachella will mark the foursome’s first gig together in nine years. No Doubt’s last studio album was 2012’s underrated Push and Shove. Stefani told Jimmy Kimmel they plan to play a deep cut from 1995’s diamond-certified Tragic Kingdom. Chances are good that fans will also hear some big hits like “Spiderwebs,” “Sunday Morning,” “Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” “Hella Good,” “Hey Baby,” and the fine cover of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life.” (GAP)

Coachella 2024 Lineup Is Here!

The lineup for Coachella 2024 has just been announced! A wide-ranging and strong lineup is bound for Indio, CA this April...Robert Kinsler

COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2024 LINEUP  REGISTER NOW FOR ACCESS TO PASSES AT COACHELLA.COM  PRESALE BEGINS FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 11AM

Los Angeles, CA (January 16, 2024) – Coachella returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA for two weekends set for April 12 – 14 and April 19 – 21, 2024. Register now for access to passes at coachella.com. Presale begins Friday, January 19 at 11am PT. For your best chance at passes, look to Weekend 2. This is a presale and does not guarantee pass type, packages or camping.  YouTube returns in 2024 as the exclusive livestream partner for both Coachella weekends on our official YouTube channel; delivering iconic performances, exciting behind-the-scenes content, and so much more to millions of fans around the world.  Watch Coachella On YouTube all year-round. Expect more videos from Weekend 1, Weekend 2 and beyond for more chances to relive the memories and discover new curated content in the months we’re not together in the desert. Introducing “Ascending | A 2023 Coachella Documentary”, a short-film created by Zoe Malhotra and Meghna Chakraborty that spotlights six artists of South Asian descent that performed at Coachella 2023. Highlighting the globalization of South Asian musical influence, the film documents performances by Ali Sethi, Charli XCX, Diljit Dosanjh, Jai Paul, Jai Wolf and Joy Crookes. Watch here.     Official Hotel Packages that bundle festival passes with local lodging and transportation are available for Weekend 1 and Weekend 2, sold exclusively through Valley Music Travel.  For more festival information and updates, please visit www.coachella.com.  ###  ABOUT GOLDENVOICE  Goldenvoice, creators of Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival and Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, operates successful Los Angeles and Bay Area music venues including the Fonda Theatre, The Roxy Theatre, El Rey Theatre, The Novo, Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall, The Regency Ballroom and The Warfield. Goldenvoice holds exclusive booking deals at Brookside at The Rose Bowl, Santa Barbara Bowl, Mountain Winery and Frost Amphitheatre. They also have produced events such as Desert Trip, Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, Cruel World, Just Like Heaven, Power Trip and many more. Beginning as an independent punk rock promoter in the early 1980s, Goldenvoice grew to be the preeminent alternative promoter in Southern California by forging strong relationships with both bands and music fans. Currently, Goldenvoice promotes over 2,000 concerts a year in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada plus recently adding North American tours to their growing list of accomplishments. For additional info, please visit www.Goldenvoice.com.

Without A Doubt

 Here is a reposting of my original feature article published in The Orange County Register on December 15, 2020. Today (Oct. 10, 2020) marks the 25th anniversary since the release of No Doubt's "Tragic Kingdom" was released...Robert Kinsler

Without A Doubt

It's been a long and hard road for O.C.'s No Doubt - kind of like being stuck on I-5 at rush hour.

There may be a feeling among some that No Doubt made a quick ascension to alternative-music fame with the success of the single "Just A Girl" from the band's "Tragic Kingdom" album.

Wrong.

Fame has come long after countless setbacks for the Anaheim quartet. The roadblocks made the musical journey anything but easy.

Although "Tragic Kingdom" and the resulting MTV play of "Just A Girl" have earned No Doubt attention across the country, there is a long history that includes two previous full-length albums and several singles that the world doesn't know about.

"We got together in 1987 and didn't put out our first record until 1992," singer Gwen Stefani said. "We've always been this live band and never satisfied with what we had done in the studio."

The rags-to-almost-riches part of the band's story began when the members hooked up with Interscope Records in 1991. They had been mixing a self-produced album at South Coast Recording Studios in Santa Ana when artist and repertoire rep Tony Ferguson got them to sign.

"Actually, Interscope wanted us to put those tracks out and record a few others. We begged them (to) let us rerecord it, and we wanted to go in a better studio," Stefani said. "We've always been a live band, and the studio part of it has been something we've been lacking in as far as experience because we never has enough time in there."

The record company agreed and let No Doubt redo the songs. Yet, after the self-titled album was completed, the group felt ignored.

"For our first record, it was kind of like doing our own record because everything was hands-off. There was no real producer; there was a producer, but he just sat back. We put it out on Interscope, but it was like putting it out ourselves."

Stefani said the only support for the album came when the band toured. However, except for some scattered airplay via college radio, even Southern California stations such as KROQ/106.7 FM ignored it.

After the commercial failure of "No Doubt", Stefani said, Interscope was slow to allow the band to record a follow- up.

"We came back from tour and were ready to put music out and stuff like that; I think they wanted us to keep writing. I think record companies get nervous about your second record," Stefani said.

That's when No Doubt did what by industry standards is the unthinkable - recording - recording and releasing its own bootleg CD, "The Beacon Street Collection," featuring tracks penned between 1992 and early 1995.

"We did it because we were so frustrated with our situation," Stefani said. "We started by doing these vinyl singles in our garage. Our goal was to do a series of them and eventually put them on a CD... that was our dream. We went in one weekend and made this CD. Tony (Ferguson)asked us one day: 'Do you have a new single?' We said "No, we have this' and pulled out 'Beacon Street.' 'You have this?' He was shocked."

"Beacon Street" paved the way for Trauma Records - the division of Interscope to which No Doubt is signed - to allow No Doubt to release "Tragic Kingdom."

The group, which includes bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young, understood the record company's delay in putting out the new album.

"I think Tony saw some kind of future for us back in 1991, we had to prove that with the songs on ('Beacon Street'). The first record was recorded in 1991 during the birth of grunge and that record doesn't even touch on that; it was happy No Doubt music," Stefani said, noting that the new record has a tougher guitar sound.

"I think it was an alternative to what was happening at the time. Now radio is more accepting of all different kinds of music; it's broken up a little bit."

Although No Doubt's roots are in ska, the band has developed a sound that blends that early style with punk, pop and reggae.

"We've always had a problem with having so many influences and kinds of styles; it's always created kind of a problem, but I think on this album we finally found a way for it to work and people not to freak out about it," she said.

"I think, when you're 16 or 17, you just imitate the music you love. At the time it happened to be ska. And we were all just learning our instruments. I never even sang before I was in No Doubt. We were all these kids."

After finishing the recording of "Tragic Kingdom," Stefani's brother, keyboardist Eric Stefani, decided to leave the band to pursue a full-time career in animation (among his credits is work on "The Simpsons"). Because Eric was a principal songwriter and an original member, his exit could have spelled the end of the band.

"He decided to just do that (animation) and step back from music," Gwen Stefani said, adding that her brother and the British ska band Madness ranked as her first musical influences. She also credits her brother with giving her the confidence to perform in a band.

"It's just as exciting for him to see the record doing well," she said.

However, the group made a commitment to continue. The members thought they owed that to the dedicated fans who kept No Doubt a draw on the live circuit. No Doubt fans plaster their cars with the band's colorful bumper stickers and often sport No Doubt tattoos.

Even though No Doubt doesn't play punk music, the shows reflect the kind of hard-core enthusiasm usually reserved for punk and speed metal bands.

"We're proud of being from Orange County," she said, acknowledging that in the early days the band got its share of jabs for being from behind the so-called Orange curtain. The cover and inside sleeve of "Tragic Kingdom" display oranges prominently.

Summed Stefani, "We decided to take pride in where we come from."

2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Preview

A look back at Coachella 2012 / Photo: Robert Kinsler

One of the best things about springtime is the arrival of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, better known simply as Coachella.

The 2017 edition of Coachellafest will feature headliners Radiohead, Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar. The event will be held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio April 14-16 and April 21-23.

Coachella 2015 / Photo: Robert Kinsler

This round-up will highlight my "wish list" of performances that I hope to catch at Coachella. However, there is always the good chance that two or even three of my "must see" artists will be performing at the same time confirming the age-old advice that life is often about making choices. With 180 or so acts performing, it is simply impossible to see every artist at the festival. And it would be criminal to not carve out some time to enjoy the always-impressive art installations that inhabit the polo club grounds during the event.

Fridays, April 14 and 21

Klangstof / Photo credit: Jack McKain

Fans of the artistic approach of Radiohead, As Tall As Lions and Other Lives will want to get to Coachella early Friday to catch Klangstof. This writer was more than impressed by the power of the Norwegian band's 2016 release Close Eyes to Exit. The experimental instrumental track "Doolhof," intense "Hostage," and sweeping "Island" are all selections I hope to see the group perform at the festival.

Those looking to groove and move to the music will find plenty of company when Glass Animals takes the stage. The group's 2016 album How To Be Human, is filled with a great batch of dance-minded tracks mixing up electronica, synthpop, trip hop and indietronica. My favorite on the album is "Life Itself," a stunning foray capturing the intoxicating spirit of the Oxford, England-based quartet.  

Guided by Voices / Photo: Sandlin Gaither

Guided by Voices is set to release August By Cake on April 7, perfect timing for those who plan to catch Robert Pollard and company at Coachellafest. The new album will reportedly be a double-disc affair, and feature 32 tracks. Dayton, Ohio-spawned Guided by Voices has been a leading artistic voice on the indie rock scene since the mid-1980s and it's fitting that the group will bring its mix of indie rock, punk, lo-fi and prog rock to Indio. The strength of the first single from the album, the dynamic "Hiking Skin," has further excited the faithful.

The highly-anticipated return of Radiohead to Coachella is especially sweet because a majority of the band's Southern California fans couldn't get into their two Shrine Auditorium performances in Los Angeles in August 2016. The British rock quintet's upcoming appearances at Coachella (their first at the festival since 2012) mark a chance to see the band play material off their ninth studio album, 2016's A Moon Shaped Pool. That album was one of the best of 2016 and immerses listeners in a world blending acoustic, symphonic and electronic soundscapes adorned with intoxicating rhythms, sound effects and singer Thom Yorke's ethereal vocals. 

Saturdays, April 15 and 22

DREAMCAR (from front to back: Tony Kanal, Davey Havok,
Adrian Young and Tom Dumont) will release its debut
self-titled album on May 12. Photo: Steve Erle

There has been a burgeoning buzz about DREAMCAR, a new supergroup teaming No Doubt's Tony Kanal (bass), Tom Dumont (guitar) and Adrian Young (drums) with AFI frontman Davey Havok (lead vocals). The first single off the quartet's forthcoming Columbia Records debut, the infectious single "Kill For Candy," has a thrilling '80s new wave sound that recalls early Flock of Seagulls. 

Local Natives are arriving at Coachella less than a month after the release of their excellent new single "I Saw You Close Your Eyes." The song is awash in dreamy synths and a lush soundscape. One of Los Angeles' most hailed young artists, Local Natives released their much-praised third full-length album "Sunlit Youth" in September 2016. 

Northern Ireland's Two Door Cinema Club impressed me mightily when I caught them at Coachella in April 2013. And now they are back, set to perform in support of their latest album, the dance-minded Gameshow. The lead-off track "Are We Ready?"  and classic band cuts such as "What You Know" and "Sun" will transform the Empire Polo Club into a dance floor.

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, better known as Lady Gaga, arrives at Coachella at the top of her game, having been featured at the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 5, 2017; that performance attracted more than 150 million viewers across television and other platforms, exceeding the number of viewers who watched the football game! Now she is set to bring her personae and parade of hits to the main Coachella stage. 

Sundays, April 16 and 23

Baltimore-based trio Future Islands is set to release their latest album The Far Field on April 7. As of this writer's deadline, two songs from that LP had been released, including the introspective "Ran" and electronica juggernaut "Cave." Anticipation to see Future Islands perform those and other songs from that disc should make the Coachella sets especially great.

Composer Hans Zimmer has scored a number of iconic scores since the 1980s, including "The Lion King," "Gladiator," "The Dark Knight Trilogy" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean." Because his scores are well recognized for fusing electronic music with traditional symphonic traditions, it makes sense that Zimmer would bring his music to a setting such as Coachella. To be sure, Zimmer will be on stage performing some of his most beloved compositions surrounded by dozens of top-tier musicians for a dramatic presentation. 

New Order / Photo credit: Nick Wilson

New Order's appearance on the main stage at Coachella back in 2005 remains one of my all-time favorite festival performances, with the Bernard Sumner-led quintet featuring amazing original material off its then-new release Waiting for the Sirens' Call. Now the groundbreaking band out of Manchester, England is returning to Indio on the heels of the release of its latest masterwork, the aptly-titled Music Complete that was issued in late 2015. The group's shimmering electronic-adorned synthpop sound is ideally suited to a festival setting.

Robert Kinsler

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Desert Local News on Monday, April 3, 2017.