Seventeen shows this quarter (as usual, counting each day of a festival as one). That's an unsustainable pace, but I'm still happy to be making up for last year's poor showing.
Coachella disappointed, a bit. I've been to 15 Coachella's, and this was the first one that didn't leave me wanting more. There were highlights, to be sure. And, as usual, most of them were new artists that I'd not heard of, performing on the earlier side. I skipped all three headliners (tho I saw Lady Gaga on the YouTube stream during Weekend Two). But now that 40% of the line-up are EDM DJs, well, that's not why I go to Coachella (I have Portola Fest here in SF for that!).
Other highlights for the quarter included MEUTE (who I saw twice in one week, and who were much better at The Fox than they were in the Coachella heat). Cecile McLorin Salvant was a vocal miracle, as usual. I don't understand how Nick Cave keeps bringing it after all these years. Same for Jack White, in a performance that is a return to White Stripes form.
May also marked the last time I will likely see Essa Pekka Salonen conduct the SF Symphony. The piece was The Firebird (the long, full version), and both the orchestra and the audience gave it their best. He will be missed.
And, for mind altering mood music, Nils Frahm impressed (starting with a piece for glass harmonica!). Also, Sam Prekop and Laraaji in Grace Cathedral with a bespoke light show -- that was amazing. I should seek out more ambient music performances.
Here's the complete list, favorites in bold:
- Kelly Lee Owens
- Coachella Friday (Maribou State, TOPS, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, julie, The Go-Go's, A.G. Cook, Eyedress, Pete Tong, The Prodigy, Indo Warehouse, Vintage Culture)
- Coachella Saturday (Medium Build, Weezer, Glass Beams, underscores, Viagra Boys, Blonde Redhead, Charli xcx, Darkside, Beth Gibbons, The Dare, Keinemusik)
- Coachella Sunday (Fcukers, MEUTE, Ben Böhmer, Sammy Virji, Sparrow & Barbossa, Ginger Root, Basement Jaxx, Snow Strippers, Kraftwerk)
- Nubya Garcia
- MEUTE
- Tsunami (plus some of Ida)
- Cecile McLorin Salvant
- The Tallis Scholars
- Basia Bulat
- Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
- Alison Moyet
- Jack White
- Nils Frahm
- SF Symphony (Salonen conducting The Firebird)
- Indo Warehouse
- Sam Prekop & Laraaji
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