Speaking of Electronic Music…
Coachella’s dance ticket is an annual lesson in how to reformulate “crowd-pleasing” as a form of warcraft. Titanic EDM, house, and techno bookings dominate, with a seemingly endless phalanx of Rüfüs du Sol-type acts stepping up to the challenge of supplying abundant feels and zero surprises. Building on this storied tradition, failsafe pyrotechnics are in order from the likes of Martin Garrix, Solomun, Tiësto, Chase & Status, and Boris Brejcha. In fairness, there is vibe-forward talent aplenty too. One of the most intriguing bookings is Italian disco maven-turned-composer Giorgio Moroder, while Four Tet will return to the desert half a decade after sticking the landing on a hare-brained scheme to drop from “Smells Like Teen Spirit” into Hol!’s EDM behemoth “Country Riddim.” It’s a moment Kieran Hebden later described as “one of the most powerful feelings I’ve experienced in my whole life.” Also joining are Underworld and the Avalanches, while new-gen party-starters Peggy Gou, Barry Can’t Swim, and Amelie Lens x Sara Landry round things out. —Kiana Mickles and Jazz Monroe
Desert Yankee
Daddy Yankee at Coachella almost didn’t happen. In 2022, the burnt out reggaetón pioneer announced his retirement with what was supposed to be his last statement, Legendaddy, and a farewell world tour. He, of course, returned three years later, a new man converted to Christianity, trying to promote a devotional album, Lamento en Baile, which signaled his pivot away from the raunchy focus of his earlier classics. But if you’re itching to whine to “Yo nunca me quedo allá atrás, yo nunca me quedo allá atrás!” fret not—chances that the King of Reggaeton will transform the Colorado desert into a monastery are slim. He knows what the people want, and that’s to screech the opening tongue-tying lyrics of “Gasolina,” hold onto to someone’s waist for “La Despedida,” and to—fingers crossed—catch a glimpse of Bad Bunny for a performance of “Soltera.” —KM
