It looks as though my goal to blog each Coachella act was a bit too lofty. I’ve lost all motivation to write up the rest of the bands. If you want to read my overview, the Buzzgrinder California posts are here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3. If there’s any particular band you’d like to hear about, leave a comment and I’ll see what I can do.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Whatever that is.

Having nothing better to do after Nickel Creek, I stuck around with the large crowd that had formed to see Of Montreal. I’d heard enough of their stuff to be familiar with them, but it hadn’t ever really pulled me in. Now I can understand their appeal.

I wasn’t quite sure what to make of their weird outfits and strange stage antics at first, but after a couple songs it was amusing and added to the entertainment value. I’m pretty sure there are a lot of psychedelic drugs being passed around back stage with these guys, but that didn’t stop them from playing like their pink, flippy shoulder pads depended on it.

Their unique blend of freaky dance pop was addictive and catchy, and I was a big enough fan by the time I left that I ended up buying a t-shirt. That’s saying something, because all shirts at the Coachella merch booth were $25. Hooray for festival ripoffs.

Once again, there are more pictures than you can shake a stick at over on Flickr.

Well, first off, let’s get this out of the way: I was at Starbucks that Friday morning and held the door for Nickel Creek violinist Sara Watkins on my way out. I didn’t realize it until I was out the door. There’s a lot more back-story to that, but we’ll leave it at that.

This was the second time I’d seen Nickel Creek, so I had my expectations and they didn’t disappoint. They played a shorter version of their normal set (the curse of every music festival). The only song I was unfamiliar with was a new one that I’m guessing mandolinist Chris Thile wrote post-divorce. Something about “don’t set me up with one of your friends.” It was funny. But kind of sad at the same time.

I’m glad I got to see them again, considering this is their final tour before they take an indefinite hiatus to work on their solo projects and such.

I didn’t take my camera to Coachella (intentionally) but if you want pictures, Flickr has plenty.

I apologize. I said I would be let you know how Coachella went and it’s been a week already. That’s like ten years in blogger news time. Or something. Now I’m probably going to go into overkill mode; I intend to review each of the twenty-some acts I saw. If you’re not a fan of overkill, you can read daily summaries over at Buzzgrinder California, where I’m starting to help out.

Going chronologically, my first victim shall be the Comedians Of Comedy. The only non-music act all weekend. Whatever.

I was excited to check these guys out because I’ve gotten my share of laughs from a few of their comedians on Comedy Central and I’ve always enjoyed Patton Oswalt’s character on King Of Queens.

Oswalt was the emcee so he was out first to warm up the crowd. I’m not quite sure where he went wrong, but nobody was laughing. Maybe it was because his first words on stage were asking everyone to sit down, and then pointing out and making fun of individuals who couldn’t find room to sit. Then he sang some random “hobo songs” that made no sense, and gave a disgusting description of what it must look like for a 60-year-old woman giving birth. Then he introduced Jasper Redd, who got even less laughs, if that were even possible. I decided to leave before things turned violent.

Time, once again, for the monthly playlist. Time seems to be flying by. Also, I’ll be writing a lot about Coachella very soon. Just you wait.

There’s a lot of Kings Of Leon and P.O.S. on this one. Kings Of Leon was because of the release of their new album Because Of The Times, which is amazing, combined with my excitement to see them at Coachella. And P.O.S. was because P.O.S. is awesome.

1. Kings Of Leon – “Knocked Up” (Because Of The Times)
2. The Chariot – “And Shot Each Other” (The Fiancée)
3. Kings Of Leon – “Four Kicks” (Aha Shake Heartbreak)
4. Ladysmith Black Mambazo – “Amazing Grace” (Journey Of Dreams)
5. Portishead – “Glory Box” (Roseland NYC Live)
6. Ray LaMontagne – “Gone Away From Me” (Till The Sun Turns Black)
7. Kings Of Leon – “On Call” (Because Of The Times)
8. Regina Spektor – “Samson” (Begin To Hope)
9. TV On The Radio – “Hours” (Return To Cookie Mountain)
10. CocoRosie – “Japan” (The Adventures Of Ghosthorse and Stillborn)
11. Kings Of Leon – “McFearless” (Because Of The Times)
12. The Dillinger Escape Plan – “Weekend Sex Change” (Calculating Infinity)
13. P.O.S. – “De La Souls” (Audition)
14. The Appleseed Cast – “Rooms And Gardens” (Low Level Owl: Volume 2)
15. P.O.S. – “Safety In Speed (Heavy Metal)” (Audition)
16. P.O.S. – “P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life” (Audition)
17. Sigur Ros – “Milano” (Takk…)
18. Caspian – “Some Are White Light” (The Four Trees)
19. Cloud Cult – “Chain Reaction” (The Meaning Of
20. Saul Williams – “Act III, Scene 2 (Shakespeare)” (Saul Williams)
21. Pedro The Lion – “Foregone Conclusions” (Achilles’ Heel)
22. !!! – “Heart Of Hearts” (Myth Takes)