Coachella’s 2013 lineup is now one day old and that means it’s time for some post-reveal analysis. In the pages that follow, we run through the biggest highlights and surprises appearing on this year’s bill, in addition to the most glaring omissions. We also highlight five names worth knowing as you prepare for April’s big weekend(s). Do you agree with our selections? Voice your thoughts in the comments below.
Highlights
Wu-Tang Clan
They were one of the earliest rumors for Coachella, but remain one of the best gets. With so much creative juice flowing between Raekwon’s new EP and RZA’s recent awe-inspiring soundtrack to The Man with the Iron Fists, it’s apparent that there’s much energy left to be shared with this outfit. Also, they have a new album soon, which means we could hear new stuff. You did hear “Six Degrees of Boxing”, right? -Michael Roffman
How to Destroy Angels
Coachella marks the first announced performance for Trent Reznor’s new super side-project, which features his wife Mariqueen Maandig, Atticus Ross, and Rob Sheridan rounding out the lineup. They’ll perform material from their forthcoming debut LP (out in March) and their two past EPs. -Alex Young
Blur
Blur returns to America for the first time since July 2003 to headline Coachella alongside fellow Britpop legends The Stone Roses. Damon Albarn’s headlining show with Gorillaz in 2010 earned universal acclaim, but it’ll be interesting to see how American audiences react to the band once they’re done playing “Song 2”. -Alex Young
The Stone Roses
The seminal four-piece Britpop group reunited last year, performing a handful of shows across the UK and Europe. Although they’ve rarely ever performed in the United States, The Stone Roses will be headlining Coachella on Friday, marking their first U.S. show since their reunion. Whether they’ll be performing from their 1994 hit Second Coming or the new album purportedly in the works, remains to be seen. Nonetheless, The Stone Roses have resurrected. -Paula Mejia
Sigur Rós
Have you heard the preview for Sigur Rós’ song? It sounds like the band wants to come down from the stratosphere and back to Earth (or even further below), and they’ve promised to play several new songs from their “aggressive” eighth studio album at Coachella. Also, if you haven’t seen Sigur Rós before, don’t worry — it’s not like you’ll be violently shushed in a shush pit if you happen to cough during “Svefn-g-englar”. In fact, the plot of their live set is one of the most extreme and dynamic ones you’ll see. -Jeremy D. Larson
Surprises
Grinderman
Grinderman and The Bad Seeds are playing and that’s unprecendented. Remember when we thought Grinderman were kaput? Count on The Bad Seeds performing more of their simmering, dark desert blues of their latest album while Grinderman hits you with the feedback and testosterone of “No Pussy Blues”. You have two (or four) chances to see Nick Cave’s psycho-sexual hip thusts and Warren Ellis’ crazy-clown leg kicks so don’t fuck this up. -Jeremy D. Larson
Jurassic 5
Whether you liked rock, rap, punk, dance music in the late-90’s, Jurassic 5 hit a sweet spot that earned them a diverse fanbase, as comfortable at Warped Tour as they were at Rock The Bells. After breaking up in 2007, only member Cut Chemist remains in the spotlight, but a reunion of the L.A. innovators allows for a new generation to be wowed by “real live DJ’s,” ending six years apart where we didn’t even realize we missed them. -Philip Cosores
Lou Reed
Long before punk, noise, or art rock had been cultivated into a DIY culture and swept into mainstream fame, Lou Reed had been omnisciently observing everything from behind the pane of his black Ray-Bans as the frontman for The Velvet Underground. Disregarding the disastrous collaborative album with Metallica, Lulu, Reed’s solo stint has featured a rich array of solid work, from Berlin and Street Hassle to Transformer. Over the past three or four years, Reed has been relatively quiet, but his pleading yowl will be a welcome addition to thousands at Coachella. -Paula Mejia
Puscifer
According to message board legend, Maynard James Keenan previously turned down invitations for Tool to headline Coachella so that he could tend to his wine vinyards during the crucial growing season. Thus, the appearance of his side-project Puscifer on the 2013 lineup certainly came as a surprise. Maybe he got David Coverdale to cover for him. -Alex Young
Violent Femmes
Besides hitting H4 on the jukebox every Friday night to hear “Kiss Off”, when was the last time you thought about the Femmes? And certainly not at a festival, right? Well, here’s hoping they play “Color Me Once” as the sun dries out over Indio. -Michael Roffman
The Make-Up
Washington, DC post-punk band The Make-Up, reunited last year by ATP, will head west for the first time in over two decades. In a neat twist, fellow DC music legend Ian MacKaye — who signed the band to his own Dischord Records — will also appear at the festival with his group The Evens. -Alex Young
The Shouting Matches
Bon Iver may be taking a well-deserved break, but Justin Vernon remains active and will perform at Coachella with his bluesy side-project The Shouting Matches. And as far as I can tell, this marks their first-ever performance outside of Minnesota. -Alex Young
Omissions
Björk
When Björk mentioned plans for a Spring residency on the West Coast, we just assumed she’d make time for Coachella. After all, the Icelandic songstress hasn’t appeared at the festival since 2007. Plus, if there’s any artist more suited for a collaboration with The Creator’s Project, it’s the one currently performing with a 30-foot pendulum. -Alex Young
EDM headliner
While other genres are struggling to remain afloat, the EDM culture has a fanbase that won’t be going anywhere for a while. Strangely, no EDM headliner was announced for Coachella this year, even after rumors of Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, and The Prodigy had been floating around the lineup. Although it’s disappointing to not have bleeps and bloops reverberating main stages in front of thousands of fans, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ purportedly ‘tripped-out’ sound on their forthcoming Mosquito may be able to suffice. -Paula Mejia
Beyoncé or Justin Timberlake
After The Stones and Daft Punk were pretty much ruled out, these two pop superstars instantly topped my list as likely headliners. Both Beyoncé and Timberlake are gearing up for new albums, both of which will be supported by appearances at the Super Bowl. The two are also noted live performers, who have taken to the world’s biggest stages. (Beyoncé headlined Glastonbury, while Timberlake filmed one of the greatest concert films ever at MSG). Either one would have instantly fixed Coachella’s lack of star power, but ultimately is another case of what could have been. -Alex Young
My Bloody Valentine
Yes, they played in 2009, but four years later they’re actually supporting a new album: the followup to Loveless. (Well, that is if they actually release it, which god willing should happen anytime now.) With upcoming appearances at festivals overseas, including some exclusive European gigs, it would have made sense for Kevin Shields, Inc. to make their US debut in the desert. File this under “Oh well.” -Michael Roffman
The Rolling Stones
If Red Hot Chili Peppers’ appearance on the lineup is any indication, Coachella organizers were banking heavily on The Rolling Stones only to be burned in the 11th hour. First, the legendary band claimed they never heard from the festival, and later they said they wouldn’t be ready by April. However, according to published reports, the true reason the Stones aren’t playing Coachella came down to money. The band made $25 million from their five reunion shows late last year, and Coachella just wasn’t willing to write that outrageous check. -Alex Young
Queens of the Stone Age
It’s not like Josh Homme doesn’t, you know, live right there. With all the collaborators tied to their forthcoming new album, one would have hoped we’d see a juggernaut performance with Dave Grohl on drums and possibly even Trent Reznor for a song or two. And considering that they’re already scheduled for dozens of festivals overseas, a backyard performance would have been child’s play. Ugh. Bad form, Goldenvoice. -Michael Roffman
Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players
An all-star covers band led by Dave Grohl, featuring members of Nirvana and Foo Fighters, and which could have also included appearances from Los Angeles residents Josh Homme and Trent Reznor (the latter who is already performing at the fest)? Yeah, why the fuck would you want to book that. -Alex Young
Fiona Apple
How many women appear on the top two lines of this poster? Two, Karen O and the xx’s Romy Madley Croft (though a new Bad Seed is always a possibility). And while there are many noteworthy female voices to be heard on the Polo Fields, Fiona Apple could have brought her intimacy and passion to a new level with a sunset Outdoor Theatre performance. Plus, she appeared on most fake posters and has never played the event, with her current resurgence seeming like the perfect opportunity. -Philip Cosores
The Knife
Why were The Knife assumed by many as locks to play Coachella? Well, their proper followup to 2006’s classic Silent Shout comes out a week before the fest, Karin Dreijer Andersson played the 2010 event as Fever Ray (and struck many as a standout set for that year), they’re touring Europe a week after Coachella ends, and, lastly, they have never appeared on the lineup. Alas, one of the most requested groups year-after-year is a glaring omission, a whiff at an event performance that the bill sorely lacks. -Philip Cosores
