Top artists rally support for Ukraine with “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

An important media release with news on a number of artists who have joined forces to support the Ukraine...Robert Kinsler

Top Artists Rally Support For Ukraine With
“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”
 
Written by Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello, the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev
 
Listen to “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” via Rolling Stone
 
Stream the track on all platforms HERE

On the night of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Les Claypool of Primus and Eugene Hütz of Gogol Bordello began collaborating on a joint release to rally support for the Ukrainian people. Released today via Rolling Stone and irreverently titled “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls,” the track also features Stewart Copeland, Sean Lennon, Billy Strings, and Sergey Ryabtsev. Proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.   “As soon as Russian aggression broke out, Les and I connected to address the catastrophe ASAP,” recalls Hütz, a Ukrainian native. “We jumped on creating affirmative music that calls for unity and pays respect to the real doers in Ukrainian defense - such as President Zelensky, who demonstrated previously unheard-of stamina and heroism.”   “The night of the invasion, I was dining with close friends of mine from Poland who were hosting their family visiting the US from their town, which is 50 kilometers from the Ukraine border,” Claypool adds. “Needless to say, they were stressed and concerned about what was happening in their homeland. After a few vodka shots of solidarity, I started texting with my buddy Eugene from Gogol Bordello to get his perspective and insight. In that vodka-laced dialogue, we started mutually praising Zelensky for his surprisingly epic display of courage. ‘Zelensky has balls of steel!’ we agreed. It was then that we decided that some freaky, ‘East meets West’ art needed to be thrown that way.”   “After a couple weeks of file trading with Sean Lennon, Stewart Copeland, Eugene Hütz, and Sergey Ryabtsev, a visit to my studio by my buddy Billy Strings, as well as some enthusiastic rhythmic claps from local supporters of Ukraine, we now have a recording to help rally support for a bullied country and a David vs. Goliath-type man who stood up for their liberty, freedom and homeland.”   Hütz points out: “The reoccurring chant in the song, ‘Revolution of Dignity,’ honors the 2014 Maidan Revolution, which resulted in the removal of Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych and lead to Russia’s military intervention against the people of Ukraine, the annexation of Crimea and the start of the Donbas War - part of the broader Russo-Ukrainian War. It is our way to show that heavyweights like Les, Stewart, Billy and Sean stand with people of Ukraine and the country’s sovereignty from the very start of Russian-led terror.”   “This is not intended to be a song of condemnation,” Claypool says. “This is a song of unity and anti-bully mentality, giving praise to a man who stepped up for his people beyond anything I've seen in my tenure on this planet. This unlikely fellow has grabbed the reins of leadership and held fast in such a way that the world is now galvanized in support. His legendary quote ‘We need ammunition, not a ride’ – Patrick Henry couldn't have said it better himself. Zelensky is truly ‘The Man With the Iron Balls.’”

“Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls”

To further raise donations for Nova Ukraine, the team behind “Zelensky: The Man With The Iron Balls” has partnered with Fandiem, a digital fundraising platform that inspires the music community to give back. Starting this Friday, 4/22, fans who donate at www.fandiem.com/ironballs will be automatically entered to win an all-expense-paid trip to attend the South Park 25th Anniversary Concert at the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on August 10, featuring Primus and Ween. One winner and guest will receive travel and hotel, two VIP tickets to the show, upgraded seats, and a special prize from the artists.   The creative team is also inviting listeners to show their support for the people of Ukraine by submitting clips of themselves, their friends, colleagues, children, pets, or anyone else they deem appropriate clapping along to the song. Video clips can be sent to ironballs@primusville.com and additional details can be found in the video notes here.   “Zelensky: The Man With the Iron Balls” Les Claypool - bass and vocals Stewart Copeland - percussion Eugene Hütz - vocals Sean Lennon - guitar and vocals Sergey Ryabtsev - violin Billy Strings - guitar

Ann Wilson releases stratospheric version of Queen’s ‘Love of My Life’ in duet with Vince Gill; new album, 'Fierce Bliss', nears release

News on singer-songwriter Ann Wilson; the artist's forthcoming album 'Fierce Bliss' is coming soon...Robert Kinsler

RELEASES STRATOSPHERIC VERSION OF

QUEEN’S ‘LOVE OF MY LIFE’

IN DUET WITH VINCE GILL

 

NEW ALBUM, FIERCE BLISS, NEARS RELEASE

 

COVER ART BY ROGER DEAN

FIERCE BLISS IS AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER AT THIS LOCATION

April 20, 2022 – Ann Wilson releases the breathtaking rendition of Queen’s “Love of My Life,” featuring vocals from Vince Gill.  Taken from Wilson’s forthcoming album, Fierce Bliss, out April 29 via Silver Lining Music.

 

“‘Love of My Life’ is a beautiful song about endless love. It was my honor to duet with Vince Gill on this song; an unforgettable experience for which I’m grateful!” – Ann Wilson

 

Wilson has always enjoyed bringing new life and verve to classic songs, and with Queen’s ‘Love of My Life’ she has helped fashion a definitive version which stands toe-to-toe with the original.

 

“I had the idea for the Queen song ‘Love of My Life’ as a duet, so I just tried to picture who would be ‘the male angel’ that would sing the other part of it,” explains Wilson. “I thought how great the song would be if it was stripped down and just sung with soul, and it had to be Vince Gill because he’s got that voice, that soul.”

Listen To/Watch ‘Love of My Life’ here

Wilson’s rendition of Robin Trower’s “Bridge of Sighs” is another spectacular take on the classic featuring on Fierce Bliss.

“‘Bridge of Sighs’ in my opinion is the best blues song ever written,” offers Wilson. “That’s really saying something because it’s the vastness of the blues world, but this song is about true existential dread. It isn’t just you’re hurt because you lost your boyfriend or girlfriend, you’re on the edge of the abyss.”

 

“I like stuff that goes all the way,” Wilson continues. “I’m one of these people that halfway is not good enough. So, with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, one of the coolest monster guitar players around, it just made so much sense, and he tore it up. One of the most rewarding things for me as a singer, to not be hurried. The best singers are the ones who can sing ballads and really make it work, because you don’t have to be a genius to be a rock shouter or sing rock songs. But that ballad, where it’s slowed down or stopped and you’re center stage with the spotlight? Every little nuance is important, and I think that’s what “Bridge of Sighs” was for me.”

One of the premier hard rock vocalists of all-time, Wilson smashed boundaries with her band Heart, the 8-times Platinum, 35 million-plus selling Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trailblazers who formed in 1973. During a decades-long career, Wilson rode the roller coaster of fame, fortune and madness, learning both joyous and hard, hard lessons along the way.  Fast forward to the summer of 2020 and a road-trip with her husband (all aboard a rented tour bus with protocols observed!) saw Wilson in the Bay Area, where she ran into the legendary veteran ‘artist’s lawyer’ Brian Rohan; it was the catalyst for Fierce Bliss’s creation.

 

Fierce Bliss is not just an album for fans of Ann Wilson and Heart, it is an album for everyone seeking a lavish ticket out of the sharp edges of an increasingly fraught society. Fierce Bliss also marks perhaps the first time in her illustrious career that Ann Wilson has truly felt the wind in her wings, something which might seem a strange statement given her pioneering history.

 

To cap it all, the album artwork comes from the mind and hands of celebrated fantasy artist Roger Dean, who aside from his work in fantasy art is also renowned for his Yes sleeve artwork.

 

“I love Relayer (Gates of Delirium) painted with almost no colour and other works with equal power and equally restricted pallets, however, sometimes I just love to let go.  With Fierce Bliss there is a strong psychedelic current flowing throughout, something that I love but don’t do often enough. Mike Inns helped to keep the psychedelic presence intense especially with the Parrots and made sure that we got this over the line intact. It was great fun working on this.” – Roger Dean

 

Fierce Bliss will be released April 29, 2022 via Silver Lining Music and is available to pre-order now on CD Casebound Book (deluxe package), Vinyl and Digital formats here

 

Listen to recently released “Greed”, the chart-topping singles “Missionary Man” and “A Moment in Heaven” at this location

 

Wilson will soon be hitting the road with her new band, and make no mistake, she’s a performer at heart thus her excitement is palpable. Tickets for ‘AN EVENING WITH ANN WILSON OF HEART & THE AMAZING DAWGS’ can be purchased at this location; more dates to be announced soon:

 

MAY 4 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall

MAY 5 - Napa, CA - The Uptown Theatre

MAY 7 - Pala, CA - Pala Casino Spa & Resort

MAY 9/10 - Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre

MAY 13 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena (with Journey)

MAY 16 - Quebec City, QC - Centre Videotron (with Journey)

MAY 24 - Tulsa, OK - The Church Studio

JUNE 8 - Nashville, IN - Brown Country Music Centre

JUNE 11 - Peachtree City, GA - Fred Amphitheater

JUNE 13/14 - Nashville, TN - Basement East

JUN 16 - Tampa, FL - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

JUN 17 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Parker Playhouse

JUNE 24 - Joliet, IL - ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium
JUNE 25 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest

JUNE 30 - Detroit, MI - Jazz Cafe Music Hall

JULY 1 – Cincinnati, OH - Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati

JULY 3 - Woodstock, IL - McHenry County Fairgrounds

JULY 21 - Beverly, MA - The Cabot

JULY 23 - Webster, MA - Indian Ranch

JULY 26 - New York, NY - Sony Hall

JULY 27 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre

JULY 29 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata

JULY 30 - Floyd, VA - FloydFest

AUG 31 - Costa Mesa, CA - The Pacific Amphitheatre

SEPT 2 - Puyallup, WA - Washington State Fair

 

Fierce Bliss Track Listing:

1. Greed
2. Black Wing
3. Bridge of Sighs
4. Fighten for Life
5. Love of My Life (feat. Vince Gill)
6. Missionary Man
7. Gladiator
8. Forget Her
9. A Moment in Heaven
10. Angel’s Blues*
11. As the World Turns

*Available on CD and digital formats only

 

Ann Wilson - Vocals

Tom Bukovac - Guitar

Tony Lucido - Bass

Sean T Lane - Drums, Percussion & Bike

Gordon Mote - Keyboards

Tim Lauer - Keyboards

 

Produced by Ann Wilson and Tom Bukovac

“Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues” produced by Ann Wilson and Warren Haynes

 

Mixed by Chuck Ainlay

Recorded by Chuck Ainlay at Fame Studios, Muscle Shoals, AL and Soundstage, Nashville, TN

“Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues” recorded by Joe Paterno at Power Station, Waterford, CT

“Black Wing” Recorded by Sean Walker at Uberbeatz, Lynnwood, WA

Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, Edgewater, NJ

Executive Producer Jim Zumwalt

 

Musicians who appear on Fierce Bliss:

Vocals - Vince Gill on “Love of My Life”

Lead Guitar - Kenny Wayne Shepherd on “Bridge of Sighs” and “Missionary Man”

Guitar - Warren Haynes on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”

Guitar - Tyler Boley on “Black Wing”

Keyboards - Danny Louis on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”

Keyboards - Dan Walker on “Black Wing”

Bass - Jorgen Carlsson on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”

Bass - Andy Stoller on “Black Wing”

Drums - Matt Abts on “Gladiator” and “Angel’s Blues”

Choir - The Rev Nathan Young Singers on “Missionary Man”

 

www.facebook.com/officialannwilson
www.instagram.com/annwilson/
www.twitter.com/AnnWilson
www.youtube.com/c/Theannwilsonthing1
www.annwilson.com/

 

 

“Love of My Life” lyric video:

https://youtu.be/1yVGUGbAWGc

 

“A Moment In Heaven” lyric video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS09mDXHLzk

 

“Greed” official video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO_xfH-zY1E

 

“Missionary Man” pseudo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrEvzo5tP3w

 

FIERCE BLISS buy link:

https://lnk.to/AnnWilsonFierceBliss

Music News Roundup: Coachella 2022, The Rolling Stones, Jewel, Walter Trout, The Who, more!

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

Check out TJR and Robert Kinsler discuss the major music news headlines of the last week on their new episode available HERE.

The range of newsmakers includes the stellar lineup appearing at Coachella 2022, The Rolling Stones, Jewel, The Who, Walter Trout and more!

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.

Tune in beginning this afternoon! Coachella Livestream at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET

Here are details on the upcoming Coachella Livestream, which kicks off in a couple of hours! Great news that Arcade Fire, Danny Elfman, The HU, Bishop Briggs and Billie Eilish are among the many artists whose sets are scheduled to be shown...Robert Kinsler

Danny Elfman, seen here in October 2015, is among
the notable artists whose sets will be livestreamed.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

YOUTUBE TO BRING FANS FRONT ROW WITH EXCLUSIVE COACHELLA LIVESTREAM FEATURING HARRY STYLES, BILLIE EILISH, SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA/THE WEEKND, MEGAN THEE STALLION, DOJA CAT AND MORE

 

Tune In For The Biggest Weekend 1 Performances From April 15 - 17 

On Coachella’s Official YouTube Channel

 

The All Access Livestream Will Also Include Intimate Artist Interviews, Exclusive Merch Drops, Youtube Premium Pre-Parties, Behind-The-Scenes On Youtube Shorts and Live Chat

WHAT: 

For the tenth year, YouTube is returning to the desert to give music fans around the world front row access to one of the world’s most coveted music festivals, Coachella, with its exclusive two-weekend livestream. Starting today, April 15 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET viewers can tune in to the livestream to catch the hottest performances from Coachella’s stages including Harry Styles, Arcade Fire, Phoebe Bridgers, Big Sean, Baby Keem, Epik High and so many more.

 

Watch YouTube’s Coachella 2022 live stream starting April 15 at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET PM through Monday evening, April 18, including replays on Coachella’s Official YouTube Channel. 

 

Music fans everywhere can tune in to YouTube’s Coachella live stream from desktop, mobile, living room or the YouTube Music app for the full Weekend 1 livestream hosted by Joe Kay, Tefi Pessoa, Therapy Gecko and Veronica De La Cruz. The livestream set times can be found in the description of each live channel now at www.youtube.com/Coachella and/or by clicking the links below:

• Coachella 2022 LIVE Channel 1 US
• Coachella 2022 LIVE Channel 2 US
• Coachella 2022 LIVE Channel 3 US

 

In addition to what will undoubtedly be epic live performances, this year’s YouTube livestream gives fans an all access Coachella experience with additional content including:

 

• #YouTubeCoachellaSweepstakes: Earlier this week, several creators like Katie Yoo,Blair Walnuts and ZoeUnlimited helped to kick off the YouTube Coachella Sweepstakes, giving fans across the U.S. a chance to win the ultimate prize: a pair of Lifetime Coachella passes in the form of an NFT. Details are here and start creating your own Shorts now!* 

 

• YouTube Shorts Creators: YouTube Shorts will follow the adventures of Benoftheweek,Kaiti Yoo, Kirsten Titus, Larray, Lauren Giraldo and Quenlin Blackwell who will be documenting their festival experience on their respective YouTube channels live from the YouTube Shorts Compound at Coachella. 

 

• Exclusive Merchandise Through YouTube Shopping: For the first time, YouTube Shopping will offer virtual viewers a chance to purchase exclusive merchandise directly on the watchpage, without ever leaving the livestream. Fans will get access to custom merch drops from Billie Eilish, BROCKHAMPTON and Flume all day Saturday in addition to Coachella-specific merch all weekend long. 

 

• A Behind-the-Scenes Celebration of Coachella Fashion: YouTube’s Head of Fashion and Beauty, Derek Blasberg, will be chatting with artists, creators and more about Coachella fashion and beauty trends live from the YouTube Artist Lounge. Follow alonghere.

 

• Exclusive YouTube Premium Pre-Parties: YouTube Premium members will have exclusive access to Premium pre-parties from Cordae at 11:10 PM ET on Friday, 88risingat 9:30 PM ET on Saturday and Banda MS at 7:45 PM ET on Sunday. Each pre-party will automatically redirect from the artists’ YouTube channel to their Coachella set. Set your reminders now!

 

• Livestream Live Chat: This year, Live Chat will be part of the livestream viewing experience on desktop and the YouTube App. This allows Coachella to provide real time updates to fans and an opportunity for virtual festival-goers to connect with one another all weekend long. 

 

More information on YouTube’s livestream of Coachella 2022 can be found on the YouTube Blog.Fans can also catch all the highlights by following @YouTube & @YouTubeMusic on Instagramand Twitter or search for the hashtag #LetsCoachella. 

Coachella 2022: Robert Kinsler & George A. Paul preview this year's event

A view of Coachella in April 2019.
Photo credit: 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, which returns after a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic. Taking place over consecutive weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachellafest will be held April 15-17 and again April 22-24, 2022. This year's headliners are Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and the Weeknd with Swedish House Mafia.

Fridays, April 15 and 22

Harry Styles 
Photo credit: Hanna Moon, courtesy of
Columbia Records

Harry Styles – The former One Direction singer’s engaging self-titled solo bow and follow up Fine Line both entered at No. 1 here and were certified platinum-plus. Earlier this month, the charismatic Brit’s propulsive new single “As it Was” (from “Harry’s House,” due in May) broke single-day streaming records on Spotify and will have its live performance debut at Coachella. GP

Arcade Fire performing at the Greek Theatre
in Los Angeles on Sept. 20, 2018.
Photo credit: Robert Kinsler

Arcade Fire — A last minute addition to this year's festival, Coachella favorites Arcade Fire will perform in the relative intimate confines of the Mojave Tent on Friday at 6:45 p.m. If you want to be able to see the Canadian troupe in action, be sure to arrive early! Arcade Fire is one of the most original and successful alternative rock artists to emerge since the turn of the century. This writer has caught singer-guitarist Win Butler and company several times at Coachella in the past, as well as in a headlining turn at the Greek Theatre in 2018, and they are not to be missed. RK 

Phoebe Bridgers — Since bursting on the music scene in September 2017 with her critically-acclaimed album Stranger in the Alps, singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers' ascent has included four Grammy Awards nominations (including for "Best New Artist") and collaborations with a slew of musical ensembles including The National, Fiona Apple, boygenius and Better Oblivion Community Center (the latter with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes fame), as well as via the enticing 2021 single "Silk Chiffon" performed with Muna. RK

Mika – No stranger to Coachella, Mika comes across like a pop-leaning Freddie Mercury onstage. He burst onto the international music scene bigtime 15 years ago with Life in Cartoon Motion. The album was a phenomenon, especially at home in Britain, where it topped the charts, spawned five top 20 singles, raked in awards, and went multi-platinum. Mika has gone onto collaborate with Ariana Grande, Pharrell Williams, RedOne, Kylie Minogue and put out a stately cover of Roxette’s “It Must Have Been Love” last year. GP

Bishop Briggs
Photo courtesy of the
artist

Bishop Briggs — With the release of her debut album Church Of Scars, Scottish-American songstress Bishop Briggs was one of 2018's most notable breakout music artists. She arrives at Coachella in the wake that disc (which featured the memorable singles "White Flag," "River" and "Wild Horses"), as well as her strong 2019 sophomore effort Champion. Among her winning recent tracks Coachella-goers can expect to hear is the yearning "High Water" (which draws favorable comparisons with Florence + the Machine), the inspired "Higher" and dance-minded "Jekyll & Hide." RK

The HU 
Photo: Enkhbat Nyamkhishig

The HU — Hard rocking Mongolian quartet The HU launches their so-called "Black Thunder" North American Tour with their set in Indio on April 15.  The HU will likely debut advance tracks from the band's forthcoming sophomore album that is due later this year from Better Noise Music. That album was reportedly recorded in their native Mongolia over the past few months. The HU's 2019 debut disc The Gereg debuted at #1 on the World Album and Top New Artist Charts.The HU's blend of folk rock and heavy metal is adorned with traditional Mongolian instrumentation including the Morin khuur, the Tovshuur and even Mongolian throat singing! RK

Saturdays, April 16 and 23

Billie Eilish / Photo: Matty Vogel

Billie Eilish — Anticipation was high when Billie Eilish made her debut at Coachella in April 2019, and the young artist fully delivered. Her triumphant return three years later finds her in the headlining spot at the fest performing on Saturday night. Anyone who caught her appearances at the Academy Awards telecast in March (where she performed the title track from the James Bond film "No Time To Die") and more recently at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards (where she performed "Happier Than Ever," the title track from her 2021 album) knows the power of the 20-year-old star. Indeed, Eilish is the youngest artist in Grammy history and second overall to win top honors in four general field categories: "Best New Artist," "Record of the Year," "Song of the Year," and "Album of the Year" — all in the same year. RK

Danny Elfman at the Hollywood Bowl
on Oct. 31, 2015. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Danny Elfman — Groundbreaking artist Danny Elfman has seemingly done it all, and his upcoming showcase at Coachella should prove it. The leader of the pioneering new wave-meets-rock outfit Oingo Boingo formed in 1979, he has subsequently gone on to even greater fame scoring music for more than 100 films beginning with 1986's "Pee-wee's Big Adventure."  His work writing and singing on the soundtrack for the 1993 animated film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is truly beloved, and his diverse field of stellar work includes his scores for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Good Will Hunting," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Big Fish" as well as the popular themes on the television shows "Desperate Housewives" and "The Simpsons." It is anticipated that Elfman will perform a wide range of original material at Coachella including his outstanding film music, and songs from his time with Oingo Boingo as well as off his celebrated 2021 solo album Big Mess. RK

Wallows – Dylan Minnette and Braeden Lemasters are singers and multi-instrumentalists who played in various bands with drummer Cole Preston between acting gigs as teenagers. They started Wallows in 2017. The Los Angeles alt-pop trio notched a top 5 alt-radio and TikTok hit with 2019’s enchanting “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clairo and just released the solid sophomore full-length, Tell Me That It’s Over. GP

Japanese Breakfast / Photography by Peter Ash Lee

Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee, the alluring Grammy-nominated third effort by this dream pop band, was among 2021’s most critically-acclaimed albums. Singer/author Michelle Zauner, a South Korea native, also wrote a memoir last year that has been optioned for a feature film. She contributed a piano driven “No One Sees Me Like You Do” to Ocean Child, the current Yoko Ono tribute album. GP

Sundays, April 17 and 24

Orville Peck – Doing double duty at Coachella and Stagecoach 2022, this Canada-based LGBTQ Americana singer keeps his identity secret through a fringed mask. Peck has a penchant for crooning in Chris Isaak or Roy Orbison style and has even duetted with Shania Twain. New album Bronco finds the eclectic artist adeptly expanding his sonic palette even further. GP

Skegss / Photo: David Herington

Skegss — Australian trio Skegss blends surf, indie and garage rock powerfully, with the Byron Bay, New South Wales-spawned outfit's inviting sound positioned in the sonic universe where Dinosaur Jr., Weezer and early R.E.M. meet. Their performances at Coachella will mark their first appearances in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic. Among Skegss great cuts are the anthemic "Stranger Days," the punkish and melodically intoxicating "Bunny Man," crunchy gem "Valhalla" and sweeping rocker "Fantasising." The band's line-up consists of Toby Cregan (bass, vocals, guitar), Jonny Lani (drums) and Ben Reed (vocals, guitar, bass). RK

Information: Coachella.com.

Note: This article was originally published in the Desert Star Weekly on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.