Author Archives: Vanessa

Prince has been added to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup.
The R&B superstar, who currently has a show at the Rio in Las Vegas, will headline Saturday, April 26, festival organizers announced today.
The festival takes place at the Empire Polo Field in Indio April 25-27 and features fellow headliners Jack Johnson, Roger Waters and
Portishead.
Tickets are on sale through www.coachella.com and are $269 for a three-day pass.

One of the most buzzed about bands playing Coachella this year is Brooklyn’s the National.

Seriously, everyone has been asking me about them. Weird, huh? I am really liking the music, but I’m a bit worried that their stage presence might be like that of Interpol’s–very stoic and not dynamic. I mean, Interpol has sounded good when I’ve seen them live, but they don’t really move around much or banter with the audience, in my experience.

Has anyone seen the National play live and can help clue me in?

Anyway, here is the National performing “Fake Empire.”

I’m out of town due to a family issue, but I wanted to kick your Monday off right with the artist I am most excited to see at Coachella–Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. “100 Days & 100 Nights” is the best album I didn’t get early enough to make my top ten for 2007.

I reall love them. You might recognize the Dap Kings because they backed Amy Winehouse last year. And while you know my love for Amy Wino, Sharon is just amazing. I think she is an artist that can just cross generations. I might test this theory out with the family while I’m back east.

Anyway, I plan to be back on Tuesday, barring any canceled flights and other nonsense, and up to full force on Wednesday. Remember, we are less than 3 weeks from Coachella now!

I had the chance to talk to influential DJ Sasha last week for a story that ran in Monday’s paper.

He and John Digweed have teamed up again to play Coachella this year.

One of the things I asked him about is how he keeps things interesting for himself, since he’s been DJ-ing for about two decades at this point.

“The music is interesting. It’s not something you have to push yourself to do,” he said.

But what I found really interesting is that even he gets in a slump somtimes. He said that sometimes he’ll hit a 2-3 month stretch where nothing’s exciting him and then one record comes out and changes everything.

“You have to have faith in the music,” he said.

Special to The Press-Enterprise

John Digweed, left, and Sasha will perform together at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio for the first time since 2002. “We’re really excited to be back,” Sasha said.

Brett Dennen is a phenomenal singer-songwriter and he has the best red hair ever!

Coachella-goers are in for a treat when he plays on April 27.

He looks like he’s about 15, but he’s totally amazing. He’s one of those people, like Rick Astley, who surprises you when their voice comes out of that person.

Anyway, judge for yourself:

This one is for all of you Amy Winehouse fans who love all of the music and none of the drama.

Duffy is performing on Sunday, April 27 at Coachella. Watch her perform the ridiculously awesome song “Mercy.”

Fans of Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark, rejoice.

Not convinced of her cred? Bernard Butler of Suede produced her album.

In the spirit of springtime and warm weather, here’s another big concert for you–are you ready for it?

Hold on, I will be after I put in my earplugs because I have a feeling a few fans might squeal loudly enough that it could hurt my head.

Here’s the lineup: Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Flo-Rida, Danity Kane, Pitbull, The Dey, Cherish and a special performance from Snoop Dogg.

Will Joe Jonas remove his purity ring to seem more gangsta in front of Snoop Dogg at this year’s Wango Tango?

Only one concert could pair the good clean fun of Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers and and a man who spent part of the 1990s squinting through a haze of an illegal substance together. It’s also the concert with the most ridiculous name ever–yes, it’s time for the KIIS-FM Wango Tango.

Wait, it gets weirder. Ryan Seacrest is hosting (not so odd), with the help of (enter dramatic pause) Lindsay Lohan.

Is she really a good example to hold up for the kids who are totally going to be there to see the purity of the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana? And Snoop? I mean, I guess he had that parenting show, but still.

However, Inland fans are going to have to travel a little bit more to see these acts. Whereas some of the past Wango Tangos have been in Devore at Glen Helen, this year Ryan Seacrest is taking the show to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine on May 10.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, but you have a shot at getting them early by becoming a KIIS VIP member at the station’s Web site.

From the press release:

Danity Kane travels back in time to get ready for the 1993 prom, themed “90210 White Wedding Under the Stars.” La Quinta native Aubrey O’Day (left), will perform with the group at the KIIS-FM Wango Tango concert.

Now for the Coachella Valley connection to the lineup–Danity Kane, created on a reality show with Puff Daddy, is performing. One of the members, Aubrey O’Day, is a graduate of La Quinta High School.

I return to the office on Tuesday, but here is a special update for you, a tasty Coachella treat.

My favorite thing about covering Coachella is getting a chance to listen to and learn about new bands I didn’t know about too much before or at all.

One of the gems I’ve found this time is the Bees (or, if you go and try to find them in a record store, they’re also known in the U.S. as A Band of Bees, or so the nice fellow at Amoeba in Hollywood told me).

If you like the soul of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and Motown, but also like slide guitars you will dig this band.

I only with I had found them earlier. So here they are, with a bonus video for you today since I’ve been out of town.

For the slide guitar fans, here’s the video for “Who Cares What the Question Is?”:

And for the soul-searchers in the crowd, try out “Listening Man”:

In case you missed the big announcement, Coachella added new acts.

One of them is Kate Nash. I was wondering why she wasn’t listed before because she is this year’s Lily Allen.

Anyway, check out her most excellent clip for “Foundations.”

I am headed to Las Vegas this evening for the weekend and I won’t be back in the office until Tuesday.

However, I am going to see The Beatles’ “Love” tonight. I am mega-excited and will give a full report when I return.