Speaking of electronic music…
The Coachella Dance Ticket is an annual lesson in how to reframe “crowd pleasing” as a form of warfare. Titanic EDM, house and techno bookings dominate, with a seemingly endless phalanx of Rüfüs du Sol-type acts rising to the challenge of providing plentiful thrills and zero surprises. Building on this tradition, fail-safe pyrotechnics are a must, such as those from Martin Garrix, Solomun, Tiësto, Chase & Status and Boris Brejcha. In fairness, there are plenty of cutting-edge talents out there too. One of the most intriguing bookings is that of Italian disco maven turned composer Giorgio Moroder, while Four Tet will return to the desert half a decade after landing on a harebrained plan to move from “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to Hol’s EDM behemoth! “Country Riddim”. It was a moment that Kieran Hebden later described as “one of the most powerful feelings I’ve had in my entire life.” Underworld and the Avalanches also join the group, while newcomers Peggy Gou, Barry Can’t Swim and Amelie Lens x Sara Landry round out the ensemble. —Kiana Mickles and Jazz Monroe
Desert Yankee
Daddy Yankee at Coachella almost didn’t happen. In 2022, the exhausted reggaetón pioneer announced his retirement with what was supposed to be his final statement, Dad Legendand a farewell world tour. Of course, he returned three years later, a new man converted to Christianity, trying to promote a devotional album, Lament in Bailewhich marked his change of direction from the steamy orientation of his early classics. But if you want to whine “Yo nunca me quedo allá atrás, yo nunca me quedo allá atrás!”“Don’t worry, the chances of the king of reggaeton turning the Colorado desert into a monastery are slim. He knows what people want, and that’s screaming the opening lyrics to “Gasolina,” hanging onto someone’s waist for “La Despedida” and – fingers crossed – catching a glimpse of Bad Bunny for a performance of “Soltera.” —K.M.
Gn entert
