Head image by Brian van der Brug via Los Angeles Times
We had a big weekend of staying on the couch and watching the Coachella live stream, which only served to kick up the levels of festival FOMO. Here’s five huge talking points of the first weekend of the Californian mega-event, including a shitload of special gusts and a tad of controversy. We’ll have to wait and see what weekend two brings in just a few days:
ICE CUBE (KINDA) REUNITES N.W.A & SNOOP DOGG WEARS A BLUE BATHROBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzCjMFwYxqM
With N.W.A inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this month, the stage was set for the gangster rap pioneers to reunite at Coachella – and they did, sort of. Ice Cube brought out MC Ren and DJ Yella for the group’s classic ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and ‘Fuck Tha Police’, while there were no signs of Dr. Dre. or the heavily-rumoured Eazy E hologram. Other guests included O’Shea Jackson Jr, who played his real-life father Ice Cube in the Straight Outta Compton biopic, as well as Common and Snoop Dogg. The best part about this whole set? Snoop Dogg wearing a blue bathrobe while performing the Dre-assisted ‘The Next Episode’. Ladies and gentleman, it doesn’t get more boss than rapping in a bathrobe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYy23W1YDEw
GUNS ‘N’ ROSES ARE BACK TOGETHER, ANGUS YOUNG JOINS TO COVER AC/DC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f83xaUw3Rs
For the first time in over two decades, the ‘proper’ Guns N’ Roses lineup reunited, which basically meant that Axl Rose and Slash finally figured out their shit and decided to perform again. Rose’s broken foot meant that he sat in a metal throne lent to him by Dave Grohl, with The Daily Beast describing him as ‘Joe Dirt crossed with Professor X’ in their damning review of the performance. The band churned out classics from their immortal 1987 album Appetite for Destruction as well as covers of The Who and AC/DC, who Rose will be singing for on their upcoming Rock Or Bust tour. The band brought out Angus Young in his iconic schoolboy outfit to add some additional riffs for two Acca Dacca tracks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW7wwIRm-9E
SAM SMITH, LORDE & ALUNAGEORGE PROVE THAT DISCLOSURE ARE THE MASTERS OF COLLABORATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOufks4vb0Y
UK house duo Disclosure have long proven themselves to be the absolute masters of collaboration, enlisting the world’s best vocalists for tasteful dancefloor burners that have also dominated charts worldwide. Their Coachella performance was indicative of that widespread impact, bringing out a slew of their finest collaborators for a guest-heavy set. Lorde jumped onstage for their sultry collaboration ‘Magnets’, while Sam Smith crooned passionately on breakthrough single ‘Latch’ and ‘Omen’. Meanwhile, AlunaGeorge also appeared for the bouncy ‘White Noise’. Given the amount of undeniable jams they’ve delivered in their relatively short careers, we can’t wait to see what else the Howard brothers pull off on their next full length.
? Let’s embrace the point of no return…? @Lorde @Disclosure #Coachella2016 @jesvicious77 pic.twitter.com/p2ktUo4Eya
— disclosure official (@Disclosure_Pics) April 17, 2016
ASAP ROCKY BRINGS OUT KANYE WEST & HIS CAMEO IS CUT SHORT
ASAP Rocky brings out Kanye! #Coachella2016 pic.twitter.com/8Sr5vx5KZ9 — utor (@utorlive) April 16, 2016
We’re no strangers to rappers running late – it was only last week that Tyga came onstage two hours late in Sydney – but it seems like that shit doesn’t fly at Coachella’s strict schedules. ASAP Rocky brought out Kanye West for his set, who managed to squeeze in TLOP banger ‘Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1’ before the microphones were cut. Heartbreaking to say the least. However, Yeezy would also make another cameo during Diplo & Skrillex’s set as Jack U – coming onstage briefly when they dropped his MBDTF single ‘Power’. In true Kanye fashion, he simply stood there for a few seconds before scooting backstage once more. All bow down to Lord Yeezus.
RUN THE JEWELS ARE INTRODUCED BY A BERNIE SANDERS VIDEO & WELCOME NAS ONSTAGE
While America’s political landscape seems more tumultuous than ever, Coachella artists also threw weight behind their candidates of choice. While Rae Sremmurd have a single named ‘Up Like Trump’, they made their views clear with a ‘Fuck Donald Trump’ chant and an image of his face burning in flames projected onto the screens. Moreover, the rampaging duo of Run The Jewels had their set introduced by Bernie Sanders via video, which was appropriate given Killer Mike’s very vocal support for the Democrat. Later, NYC GOAT Nas jumped onstage to perform ‘Made You Look’ and also named Run The Jewels as his favourite group – not a compliment to be taken lightly. Beat legend DJ Shadow and former Three 6 Mafia queen Gangsta Boo also dropped by for a few jams. Huge!
