Arcade Fire - Coachella stage

Upon the JV squad's exit the unofficial countdown began for the bands involved in Coachella’s Saturday night trifecta of awesome – Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem and the Rapture. Fine a send off as any.

Everyone’s favorite gushed about band last played the polo grounds in 2005 during their initial ascent on their way to indie superstardom. Covered in all the bloody details here during the early days of MS.com.

Two years later finds the band with another album under their belt and a promotion to the main stage. Along with some unpleasant aspects of popularity that include, but are not limited to, backbreaking rushes to get that elusive front of stage viewing angle, listening to meathead fans eagerly pointing out the “weak emo kids” surfing the crowd for an out (i.e. oxygen) and all the other fun stuff involved in trying to keep yourself upright when standing in a sea of swaying humanity constantly on the brink of catastrophic collapse.

I'll withhold additional details on the limitations of personal space and up close introductions to the drenched bodies of Coachella’s most sweaty, fearless huddled and steaming masses for a future missive on more effective ways of scoring preferred viewing areas to point out the still chilling effect of hearing “Wake Up” live and Arcade Fire’s emerging star – Regine Chassagne. Like a butterfly fluttering around the stage Regine has become the soul of this band. Always smiling amidst the chaos of the action.

Girl Talk - Gobi tent

On our way to the Sahara tent we made a hard left into Gobi when we saw a mess of people dancing onstage to Girl Talk. Greg Gillis brought the club to the concert and the kids were loving it.

Justice - Sahara tent

French DJ Justice bookended his rig with three Marshall full stacks on each side. Comment vous dites "badass" en français?

[From the outside looking in. During Justice]

LCD Soundsystem - Sahara tent

After a rocky start the day found its way on the right path and this next band was the main event. James Murphy in white from head to toe, acting as human reflector to the bright lights. Nasally as ever the master of smug self-deprecation - the biggest hipster is the most self-aware - brought the dance punk goods to the dance tent.

Since "Losing My Edge" to the Nike mix to Sound of Silver, LCD has been a mainstay on the MS hi-fi. Finally getting a chance to see the live product confirmed I've been on the right medicine. As if the DFA fever was ever in doubt. Weekly doses of live LCD would be an excellent complement to the recorded treatment.

The Rapture - Sahara tent

[Photo cred]

Question: How do you possibly follow LCD Soundsystem?
Answer: By launching a blazing version of "Out Of The Races And Onto The Tracks" to kick off your set and be in the Rapture.

Question: How do you come close to matching, or even topping the tremendous response songs like "North American Scum," and "Yeah" received?
Answer: Bring back the once ubiquitous "House of Jealous Lovers" and perform the shit out of it in front of a few thousand blissed out fans already high off the ridiculous version of "Get Myself Into It" and be in the Rapture.

Duh.

[Photo cred]

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[Projected cacti on Sahara]