“I hope you guys like rock n roll, because that’s all we do!” – This was the rallying cry of AC/DC singer Brian Johnson, who led his merry band of iconic rockers through an unbelievably good headlining set on Day 1 of Coachella 2015. After a day of raucously good sets from Action Bronson, The War on Drugs, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Steely Dan, Sylvan Esso and more, some diesel-fueled classic rock was a surprisingly perfect way to lock down our first go-round at this year’s Coachella Arts & Music Festival.
Ageless Icons: AC/DC
The AC/DC boys, playing their first show in five years and their very first without founding member Malcolm Young, tore off a riotous “Back in Black” only three songs in, and blasted through enough hits to remind us that there’s damn good reason these Down Under screamers have been household names through time untold. “Dirty Deeds,” “Thunderstruck,” “Have a Drink on Me,” “Shoot To Thrill,” “TNT,” “Rosie”… the setlist was packed with universally-known classics, enough for ten superstar acts. By the time they crushed encore tracks “Highway to Hell” and “For Those About to Rock,” even the most reserved wallflowers in attendance were shouting along, fists in the sky.
That’s how our night ended, and the last thing we remember before passing out in the car until the sea of inert red lights had diminished to a reasonable crawl. But the day began just as righteously, when we reunited with Crave SXSW show headliner Action Bronson, who kicked off our Coachella 2015 experience in unforgettable style. With Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” blasting, Bronson took the stage like an ’86 Mike Tyson entering the boxing ring; there was no question who the heavyweight was, poutine-packed belly or not.
Captain Redbeard threw down a fantastic set, embracing the crowd with a sharp wit and playful vibe throughout his 50-minute set, bounding between stage and crowd like an athlete, despite his 300-plus figure and a wide-open VIP section gap. “Every time I do something athletic, I want a round of applause,” he panted after climbing back onstage a second time.
Giving hugs and beard rubs, Albanian banner props and rapping with a wheelchair-bound fan, Bronson delivered pure power in the good-vibe zone through a run of new jams including “Actin’ Crazy” and closer “Easy Rider,” which once again found a sea of hands raised in a bike-throttling gesture to the tune of “ride the Harley into the sunset”. No finer variation of the tired hands-in-the-air cliche has ever been designed.
Stoner/Hipster Melting Pot: The War on Drugs
If you’re on the fence with The War On Drugs, through hype or hipster association, you owe it to you music-loving self to get to a show. Their set largely revolves around the guitar noodling hypnotics of frontman Adam Granduciel, but hell – when a band plays to their strengths, incredible things can happen. They pulled largely from their third album, 2014’s Lost In The Dream, including “Under The Pressure,” “Burning,” “Eyes To The Wind,” and a tremendously good, psychedelically hued “Red Eyes”.
Rockin’ The Classics… Now Get Off My Lawn: Steely Dan
Think Steely Dan is smooth-rock for your Dad on those nights when he’s acting a little funny? Well, you’re probably right. But that didn’t stop the veteran duo from delivering a catalogue-spanning mix of classic sing-alongs that surprisingly young whippersnappers sang along to. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen certainly look their age, but delivered strong charisma and top-level goodness through “Hey Nineteen,” “Show Biz Kids” (with killer sax solo), and of course, “Reelin in the Years”. Added bonus: Becker’s drunk-uncle ranting about everything under the sun, including the band’s potential to enhance their listeners’ love lives.
New Blood: Sylvan Esso
Sylvan Esso comes on like a mix of Bjork and Purity Ring, with a dash of Pomplamoose for taste. A good intersection in the ecosystem of Feist & Bon Iver. The Durham, NC duo’s fusion of electro-pop and indie spirit was compelling enough to draw us away from a bee-line for food in the midday heat.
Amelia Meath’s vocal is an enchanting one, her syllables shaped with concision within a gorgeous tonality. We’re looking forward to digging deeper on these two.
Wu-Love in the Sun: Raekwon & Ghostface Killah
A smooth & celebrated midday set brought Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon & Ghostface Killah to the Outdoor stage, where the duo of Lex Diamonds and Tony Starks brought the entirety of their classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx to the masses, along with a heartfelt ODB tribute. But don’t take our word for it – catch their entire performance below.
Overblown Monochrome: Interpol
New York broodrockers Interpol continue to ride the good looks and monotone-vocal of frontman Paul Banks, but their live presence leaves a great deal to be desired. Pulling heavily from their latest album El Pintor, the band damn near put us to sleep as we positioned ourselves for good viewing of AC/DC, who would follow Tame Impala to close out the night.
Sorry, girls, they’re boring. Sure, dressed to the nines and charming as hell. We wanted to love it, but the gravity just. wasn’t. there. Besides, there was no sense being bummed about it – our experience was tantamount to being disappointed in the bread before a killer 20 course meal, one that just happened to be prepared by these iconic sonic chefs:
As you can see, we were in good hands. That’s it for Day 1 – now for Saturday’s adventures featuring Jack White, Run The Jewels, Father John Misty, Alt J and more!
