Coachella 2016 © Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
INDIO, Calif. — And suddenly, just like that, it’s done. The first weekend of Coachella 2016 was a whirlwind of exciting, larger-than-life performances and small, thoughtful moments drenched in golden sunlight. After three jam-packed days (as well as some really late nights), the chaotic and literal dust has settled and now we can take a step back and appreciate the madness that was Coachella 2016.
Here, in no particular order, were our favorite things from the desert festival.
1. Alex urner’s suit
While there’s been some debate over what color it actually was — colonel mustard and goldenrod taking the lead right now — everyone can agree that Alex Turner’s ’70s-style suit on Friday night was out of this world. As the Arctic Monkeys frontman stepped onto the stage to perform with his orchestral side project The Last Shadow Puppets, the audience cooed at the rock star’s sophisticated throwback look. It was the perfect pop of color.
The Last Shadow Puppets at Coachella 2016 © Emma McIntyre / Getty Images
2. Sufjan Stevens
As we said in our Friday review, there was no set out in the desert more exhilarating than Sufjan Stevens’ DayGlo glitter ball. With a set list heavy on 2010’s “The Age of Adz” and several costume changes, Stevens shed the emotional weight of his mother’s passing (the inspiration of 2015’s “Carrie & Lowell”) and came to party. There was a lightness to his step as he ran around the Outdoor stage covered in streamers and balloons — it was good to see him have fun and let loose.
3. LCD Soundsystem’s camera directions
When LCD Soundsystem came out to the tune of “New York Groove” for their headlining show they didn’t just sound good, they looked great. Instead of the standard four-camera livestream of their performance, there was a significant amount of style to what appeared on the massive LED screens. The warm washes and tight shots only added to the group’s triumphant return.
4. Seal’s surprise performance with Gallant
Really, this headline says it all, but just to reiterate what we’ve already gushed about, Seal came out to duet with Gallant. The heavens opened up to bring us two angelic voices and they both were together in the Mojave tent this weekend.
Gallant and Seal at Coachella 2016 © Mike Windle / Getty Images
5. Festivalgoers tipping custodians
An insane amount of work goes into putting on a festival of any size, let alone a beast like Coachella. While you might be most concerned about making it in time to see the start of your favorite band, there are hundreds of custodians and employees to ensure that the festival grounds stay as clean as they possibly can be—all so you can have a great time. In line for the restroom a young lady gave a custodian a tip, adding that she was doing an amazing job. While that was enough to make it onto our “best of” list, after the exchange, the rest of the bathroom line thanked the janitor as well. It’s always important to appreciate those who are behind the scenes.
6. Sia
For her first full performance in five years, Sia went above and beyond anything that anyone could have expected or hoped for. With high-quality dramatic short films choreographed for each of the tracks she performed, Sia’s artistry pierced through a day filled with generic thumping bass sounds and guitar fuzz. Her attention to detail and willingness to shine a light on her talented friends — including Paul Dano, Kristen Wiig, Tig Notaro and Maddie Ziegler — was more than refreshing, it was gorgeous.
7. “Portals” by Phillip K. Smith III
Every year, Coachella makes good on the “Arts” section of their official title — Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival — by showcasing new works and instillations from the international arts community. While some were more social media friendly (We’re looking at you, “Besame Mucho”), the highlight was Phillip K. Smith III’s light and mirror structure entitled “Portals.” The circular enclosure acted as an oasis in the midst of the festival’s chaos.
8. The Arcs’ special guest jam session
Getting to see Dan Auerbach’s (The Black Keys) slinky, psychedelic blues-rock side project live was a treat enough in itself, but once you add a couple of musical legends to the mix, it becomes a memory for a lifetime. About two-thirds through their set, Auerbach brought The Eagles’ Joe Walsh to the stage for a rollicking guitar jam. Then, after the packed crowd lost their mind at the idea of those two dueling, Walsh introduced The James Gang/Pacific Gas & Electric’s Glenn Schwartz — the 75 year old guitarist who taught the Eagle how to play guitar. Once the shredding began, there was no stopping the trio and, thankfully, no one wanted to.
9. Beer Belly’s Rare Beer Bar
With only one beer available at 99% of the stands on the Coachella grounds, festival hop heads rejoiced at the inclusion of the Craft Beer garden a couple of years ago. This year, the festival one-upped itself with the introduction of Beer Belly’s Rare Beer Bar towards the back of the alcohol corral. With a rotating beer lineup every hour, the LA restaurant’s Coachella pop-up brought delicious suds to thousands of thirsty and discerning attendees.
10. Bernie Sanders’s video introduction for Run The Jewels
Killer Mike of Run The Jewels has been a vocal supporter and advocate for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders over the last year. Who knew that Senator Sanders would become a vocal supporter of Mike’s group with El-P? Via video message, Sanders introduced the group before their main stage set. Maybe next week he’ll come out and rap with them. (We can dream, can't we?)
11. N.W.A reunion
We knew that Ice Cube was planning something big for Coachella, but even with the hints, seeing N.W.A reunite (without Dr. Dre) was about as good as it could get. The group, featuring MC Ren and DJ Yella, performed three classic tracks — “Straight Outta Compton,” “Dopeman” and “Fuck Tha Police” — and they sounded as if they never stopped performing together.
Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg at Coachella 2016
12. Spicy Pie
You know that you’re at a major music festival when you see a sign for Spicy Pie Pizza. The eatery has no official home, but its nomadic wanderings to whatever fest they choose means that if you spot one, you must partake. The slices are big and the cheese is melted to perfection.
13. Friendly parking staff
They’re the first people you see as you drive onto the festival grounds and they’re the last people you see as you leave for the night — Coachella’s parking staff went above and beyond this year to make everyone feel welcomed. With shout-outs to drink more water and stay safe, trudging back to the dusty lots wasn’t as much of a bummer as it should have been.
14. Major Lazer’s dancers
Backup dancers are some of the hardest working people in showbiz, no question. So it should be no surprise that Major Lazer had some of the best ladies in the industry shaking what they’ve got for an insanely large Coachella crowd. The foursome effortlessly got down with Diplo’s beats and even managed several costume changes to keep their looks fresh.
15. Battlecat scratching with Kamasi Washington
Battlecat is the producer of some of your favorite Snoop Dogg and The Game Tracks, but on Sunday he was at Coachella DJing for jazz fusion genius Kamasi Washington. His intricate scratching was so impressive that Washington acted as the DJ’s hype man, at one point shouting "You haven’t heard someone scratch in 7/8 before!" We hadn’t, but we’re so glad that we did.
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