You’ve got your $250 three-day pass. You’ve got your tent. That was the easy stuff: Now you have to figure out which bands to see. With heavy hitters such as Interpol overlapping with Sonic Youth on this year’s lineup, decision making is going to be a key part of Coachella 2007. Good thing you’ve got us to lay out the must-see bands. Happy camping ““ we’ll see you there.
““ Compiled by the A&E editors
Friday, April 27
Of Montreal
Outdoor Theatre, 4:55″“5:45 p.m.
The former psych-pop band has embraced a sexier, shinier aesthetic on its recent dance-driven albums. This year’s “Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?” is perhaps the best of the bunch, a disco-fueled opus that combines Beatles-like studio trickery with swaggering rhythms and the most personal songwriting of front man Kevin Barnes’ career. Plus, dude’s the best showman in indie rock: look forward to multiple costume changes and the potential unveiling of his genitals.
Amy Winehouse
Gobi Tent, 6″“6:50 p.m.
The U.K. sensation has swept into the States on a sordid train of drugs, alcohol and straight-up soul. In Winehouse’s case, all press is good press: Her off-stage antics only add bluesy authenticity to songs such as the Motown-aping “Rehab.”
Rufus Wainwright
Mojave Tent, 7:15″“8:05 p.m.
After the overwhelming pomp and circumstance presented on his last two studio albums (“Want One” and “Want Two”), the golden-throated singer has tempered some of his gluttonous, I-want-candy musical sensibilities on the more coherent “Release the Stars.” But despite his role as a pop singer, Wainwright’s songs are full of savage romance and high melodrama. He was meant for the stage.
The Jesus and Mary Chain
Coachella Stage, 7:40″“8:35 p.m.
The seminal shoegaze group will play one of several reunion shows on the Coachella Stage. If you’re not familiar with the band, fire up “Lost in Translation” and let “Just Like Honey” remind you of what we’ve been missing in their absence.
Björk
Coachella Stage, 10:45 p.m.”“End
Her upcoming album (notice a trend here?), “Volta,” is earning more early accolades and blogosphere buzz than a Björk album has in years. And rightfully so. “Earth Invaders,” the first single, features a rock-solid Timbaland beat pounded over by Konono No. 1; it’s booming, rhythmic and exciting in a way the glacially pretty musician often eschews. Her headlining set should be one of Coachella’s highlights, akin to Radiohead’s performance in 2004.
Saturday, April 28
Peter Bjorn & John
Mojave Tent, 5:25″“6:15 p.m.
Andrew Bird may be the reigning king of whistling, but Swedish imports Peter Bjorn & John put him to shame on their hit single “Young Folks,” an early contender for song of the year. The rest of the group’s recent release, “Writer’s Block,” is no slouch either. Swing on over to the Mojave Tent to get a look at what will likely continue to be one of the buzz bands of 2007.
The Arcade Fire
Coachella Stage, 7:30″“8:40 p.m.
Despite whether you were satisfied by “Neon Bible,” the Arcade Fire is known to put on one of the best shows in all of music. The chance to see the Canadian ensemble’s brand of what can only be described as baroque-pop as the sun sets in the desert is one that shouldn’t be passed up. That, plus Pitchfork calls the Arcade Fire your little brother’s Radiohead, which just brings the lolz.
Girl Talk
Gobi Tent, 8:45″“9:30 p.m.
Speaking of buzz, Gregg Gillis has generated his fair share of it over the last year. His 2006 release, “Night Ripper,” managed to sample over 100 artists in a little over 40 minutes, with hip-shaking mash-ups that include the Pixies and Nas, “Wonderwall” and “The Whisper Song,” and Notorious B.I.G. over “Tiny Dancer” on helium. Gillis is also known for his extensive audience interaction and for removing as much of his clothing as possible. Why he isn’t performing in the dance tent is anyone’s guess.
LCD Soundsystem
Sahara Tent, 9:30″“10:20 p.m.
If trying to keep up with Girl Talk’s beats doesn’t kill your feet, perhaps LCD Soundsystem will. James Murphy, the DFA Records icon and dance-master, will do everything he can to rock audiences with hits such as “Daft Punk Is Playing At My House,” which is practically guaranteed to make even the most rhythmless people dance their butts off. And if it doesn’t make you groove, well, you can always go sit on the grass and stare while Blonde Redhead destroys your ears with feedback.
Black Keys
Mojave Tent, 10:50 p.m.”“End
If you plan on going to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers and leave immediately after, you’ll be missing a great live show in what will likely be an intimate setting. The Black Keys, a blues-rock duo, often get compared to The White Stripes, but to just do that would be to sell the duo short. Their raw, lo-fi sound and adherence to the blues (seriously, this is THE BLUES) offer a perfect cap to what will likely be a scorching, exhausting day.
Sunday, April 29
Lupe Fiasco
Coachella Stage, 1:45″“2:25 p.m.
Yeah, it’s probably going to be unbearably hot. But what better way to cool off than by taking in a set from a young rapper so talented and fresh, your mom even likes “Kick, Push” (I know mine does)?
From his mix tapes to last year’s “Food & Liquor,” Lupe’s thoughtful, playful rhymes are a welcome breath of fresh air in a genre that often gets criticized for being shallow and violent ““ two things Lupe is definitely not.
The Roots
Coachella Stage, 5:15″“6:05 p.m.
After 2004’s disappointing “The Tipping Point,” The Roots returned to form with “Game Theory,” one of the best hip hop albums of 2006.
Those present when The Roots visited UCLA in 2005 know that the Philadelphia group’s live show is an upbeat, frenetic sight to behold. And the group has no problem slowing things down with crowd-pleasers such as “You Got Me” and “Seed 2.0,” which has turned into one of the more unlikely party anthems of the last decade.
Willie Nelson
Coachella Stage, 6:30″“7:20 p.m.
Only at a Nelson show can you hear classics such as “On the Road Again,” “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Crazy” in such quick succession.
Lily Allen
Mojave Tent, 8:25″“9:15 p.m.
Minus a few select dates, the cheeky British songbird cancelled the rest of her tour thanks to, well, not feeling like touring anymore. Make sure you catch her doing hits such as “Smile” and “LDN” before she heads back across the pond.
Rage Against The Machine
Coachella Stage, 10:40 p.m.”“End
You thought the Tool mosh pit was wild last year? Well, at this, Rage’s first show in over six years, things should get so crazy that you may even fear for your own safety.
Unless you’re truly adventurous, avoid the mosh pit and the crowds and sit back to take in this comeback show by one of the most influential, outspoken bands in recent memory. After all, its performance is the No. 1 reason why Coachella sold out so quickly this year; as such, you’re practically obligated to check Rage out.