Sunburns, grime and ringing ears. Hours of waiting in the thick of sweaty, frenetic masses. That girl behind you with the otherworldly scream. Why do we endure such taxing events as the Coachella Music & Arts Festival? The short answer is the music - hearing the songs you’ve heard a hundred times and finally understanding what they’re really about. But there’s also the unexpected: the Swedish band that knocks it out of the park while you’re waiting for the next performance. The trance DJ whose name you never learn. That naked guy who just walked by while you’re eating a bratwurst…We flock to Indio during the last weekend of April because we’re looking for something new - experiences that even the best record can’t produce. More than off-tune singing and brash dance moves, we endure the desert because it’s an opportunity for discovery. Here are ten bands and artists that will be worth the sunburns, grime and ringing ears.


St. Vincent
Annie Clark’s schizophrenic guitar playing will be just enough to jolt you from your love-trance with the girl on stage. Pay special attention to the construction of tunes like “Now, Now” and “Marry Me” to see how well-informed St. Vincent’s talents are.
(Saturday, April 26)


Cold War Kids
You can count on Nathan Willet’s incomparable voice bringing the soul to the desert heat. “Hang Me Up to Dry” and “Hospital Beds” are reason enough to take part in the foot stompin’ and piano janglin’ set that’s guaranteed to get the spirit moving.
(Saturday, April 26)


Plastiscines
French rock from sexy-hot French girls. Does it really matter what they’re saying? If it does matter to you, take heart in the fact that a good deal of the brief, punkish songs will be in English. No matter the language, these girls will wear you out in plenty of time.
(Sunday, April 27)


Black Kids
This Jacksonville band actually warrants those silly terms like “infectious” and “super-catchy.” With only an EP and enough blog-buzz to spare (not to mention a curious band name), Black Kids’ indie-rock will cheer your spirits in the style of Arcade Fire. Check out their single “I’m Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance” and you’ll get the point.
(Friday, April 27)

Simian Mobile Disco
We here at SNMag are shameless fans of SMD. Last year’s Saturday Night Loud CD featured the DJs hit single, “Hustler,” which is still the current title-holder for best dance song of the millennium. The British duo will tear through their set with more velocity than any of the electronic acts to emerge last year, and that’s saying something.
(Sunday, April 27)

Animal Collective
Not to sound vague, but Animal Collective is going to make some very good noise. Call it psych folk, experimental rock, or just listen to “Grass” off their record “Feels” and decide for yourself. Expect a lot of improvisation, banging on whatever is available, and visuals that you’ve never seen before.
(Saturday, April 26)


Boys Noize
There is no DJ out there more exciting than Boys Noize. Check out his remix of Feist’s “My Moon My Man” or the deadly “Oh!” to see for yourself just how skilled and multi-faceted this German DJ can be.
(Saturday, April 26)



Jens Lekman
With his recent single “Shirin.” you’ll be surprised to find just how well Jens Lekman’s lyrics can hold a song. The Swedish singer/songwriter is able to take the simplest of life occurrences and fill them with genuine profundity. Listen to “A Postcard to Nina” (in which Jens poses as the boyfriend for his lesbian friend’s father) to discover just how great of a storyteller Lekman can be.
(Friday, April 25)


Sasha & John Digweed
If there was a Mozart of trance, they would be collectively known as Sasha & Digweed. Ever since their groundbreaking Delta Heavy U.S. tour, these British DJ have reigned over progressive trance like no others. Their seamless mixing abilities and hypnotic visual presentation could very well be the highlight of the weekend.
(Saturday, April 26)



New Young Pony Club
More than anything, New Young Pony Club wants you to have fun. The new rave/new disco quintet will waste no time in getting you to dance with them as they play hits such as the sexy “The Bomb” and the downright slutty “Ice Cream.” This British NYPC might serve you with the most delightful hour you have in that ridiculous desert.
(Saturday, April 26)