Some may ask if the $375 price tag for a three-day Coachella pass is worth it. After witnessing Friday night's performances and special guest appearances, it's surprising the annual festival in the desert doesn't cost more.
Week one's inadvertent highlight was Justin Bieber getting kicked out of Coachella for trying to enter through the artist exit area when fellow Canadian Drake was on stage. As pleasurable as some found the image of Bieber getting chocked out by security, such an escapade isn't likely to happen this time around. Neither is Drake's infamous lip lock with Madonna.
Coachella's second weekend had a lot to live up to, and based on Friday's guest cameos it's off to a great start.
Grammy award-winner Ciara showed off her fancy footwork in joining Dutch DJ R3hab for two songs in the Sahara tent. 90s hip hop icon DMX took the stage with EDM producer DJ Snake for party staples "Ruff Ryders Anthem" and "Party Up (Up In Here)." 2014 breakout songstress Tove Lo made an appearance during up-and-coming Swedish DJ Alesso's set for their monster hit "Heroes."
That doesn't even factor sets from Interpol, pioneering EDM DJ Peter Tong, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers AC/DC. Coachella-goers have two days to bask in the Indio sun. Let's take a look at what they can expect.
Breakout Artists to Watch
You may not know his name, but Hozier's "Take Me To Church" is the most infectious song to hit Coachella this year. It's everywhere, from commercial to movie trailers to countless remixes. This is the Irish singer-songwriter's opportunity to prove he's not a one-hit wonder.
Toro y Moi, also known as Chazwick Bradley Bundick, has been on the cusp of stardom for years now. His eclectic mix of blues, R&B, deep house, and dance rock is often identified with the rise of "chillwave." It's not a self-admonished title, but one that fits the scruffy-haired South Carolina native well.
Cedric Gervais is the type of DJ/producer that turns a mainstream radio hit into a club-ready, fist-pumping anthem. His remix of Lana Del Rey's "Summertime Sadness" earned the Frenchman a Grammy in 2013, and his hypnotizing, drug-infused 2012 single "Molly" still makes the rounds at EDM festivals.
Can't Miss Headliners
The thing about Axwell ^ Ingrosso is that a lot people know the music, they just don't know the name. They are two-thirds of Swedish House Mafia, the progressive house group that disbanded just as they received worldwide fame for hits like "Don't You Worry Child" and "Save the World." Axwell ^ Ingrosso still incorporate SHM songs into their sets, often playing them in a Capella versions.
Jack White is unpredictable as they come. Last weekend's genre-spanning set ranged from playing White Stripes favorites to covering Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long." Somewhere in between he played Rage Against the Machine's "Testify" as an intro to American soccer anthem "Seven Nation Army."
The Weeknd's performance last weekend lacked notable star power, despite his deep connection among Coachella artists. Still, there is a reason the 25-year-old Canadian R&B singer is closing out Coachella over Jack White. Maybe Drake will make a surprise cameo for "Crew Love." There's a chance Ariana Grande jumps in on "Love Me Harder." Either way, The Weeknd has a lot to live up to.
AXS TV Stream Lineup
St. Paul & The Broken Bones - 9:00 p.m. ET
Bad Religion - 9:15 p.m. ET
Gramatik - 9:30 p.m. ET
Toro Y Moi - 9:45 p.m. ET
Hozier - 10:00 p.m. ET
Belle & Sebastian - 11 p.m. ET
Run The Jewels - 11:25 p.m. ET
Cedric Gervais - 12:00 a.m. ET
Alt-J - 12:10 a.m. ET
Father John Misty - 12:40 a.m. ET
FKA Twigs - 1:10 a.m. ET
Deorro - 1:30 a.m. ET
Jack White - 1:40 a.m. ET
Antemasque - 3:30 a.m. ET
Watch live stream of select Coachella performances on AXS TV, some of which will be live. Take a look back at some of last weekend's acts on Coachella's YouTube page.
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