Day One

Yeasayer – Sounded great. Would love to check them out in a proper venue.

Ra Ra Riot – Much improved from their SXSW show, which was riddled with technical issues. Fell in love with the violinist, crushing hard on the cellist (who might have the best ass in indie rock)

The Specials – Sounded so good. Wish I would have checked them out longer but had to catch…

Passion Pit – Tons of fun but the lead singer needs vocal lessons… or the mix was way off but I doubt that because the second he sung falsetto (which is always) he was impossible to hear.

Them Crooked Vultures – Good to see John Paul Jones live but I wish they didn’t sound like Queens of the Stone Age outtakes.

Echo & The Bunnymen – He’s such a prick but he’s earned it.

Vampire Weekend – Without a double my pick of the day. Last time they were nervous, stiff and out to prove themselves. This time they came to rock and boy did they.

Jay Z – So I can check that off the list. And now I love how Danger Mouse improved him even more.

Day Two

Camera Obscura – I was certain they’d wilt in the desert heat but they were surprisingly awesome.

White Rabbits – I wish these guys were surprisingly awesome but they’re young so I’ll cut them some slack.

Tokyo Police Club – Man, I wish they were better live.

The xx – Their sound is huge. Go see them, preferably outdoors. Just awesome.

Dirty Projectors – Oh, oh, oh damnit, you’re only good on albums.

Corinne Bailey Rae – Still beautiful.

Faith No More – They opened with a bitchin’ cover of “Reunited” and commanded the stage until their last note. Without a doubt my pick of the day.

MGMT – They sounded better. I’m done saying nice things about them.

Muse – In theory I should really, REALLY like… unfortunately that’s just in theory.

The Dead Weather – Alison, don’t leave The Kills for this band. You and The Kills are better than this side project.

Day Three

Mayer Hawthorne – I’m a little over the current white soul surge… or maybe just this guy.

Florence and The Machine – Very good but not magical and she really should have been magical.

Julian Casablancas – Sounded great, just like The Strokes (are they still together) but still great.

Charlotte Gainsbourg – Yawn.

Phoenix – Just when I lost my faith in the French they rocked it. For sure my pick of the day.

Pavement – Sounding good guys.

The Big Pink – Way heavier than their album and I wish they weren’t. Still, worth checking out.

Gorillaz – Damon, get your ego out of your ass and stop boring me!

On a final note, the new “in/out” policy whereby people can enter the show, leave to go back to their car and then return, resulted in way more folk rolling. Christ, I saw a pack of fourteen year-old girls doing blow, in public no less. The whole event took on a different vibe.

Okay, I’m off the soapbox. Here are my pics.

One last note.  This is my 500th post.  I wasn’t sure if I was gonna go all Clark Boyd but I knew I wasn’t gonna go Brian Ibbott.  Instead, let this marker stand as a good place to look back, then look forward.

Of all those listed, I’m most excited about…

• The Specials – Never seen them before.
• Public Image Limited – Ditto.
• Vampire Weekend – Saw them a few years ago, thought they were good but needed to mature as a live act. Let’s see how that’s progressing.
• Them Crooked Vultures – I keep hearing good things.
• LCD Soundsystem – Saw them a few years ago and I thought they sucked but I want to give them another chance.
• Jay-Z – How can I miss this? If past years have proven anything it’s that mainstream rap acts rock.
• Band of Skulls – Keep hearing good things.
• Frightened Rabbit – Absolutely seeing them at SXSW and I won’t miss them here.
• Tokyo Police Club – Missed them a few years ago and have been regretting it ever since. Won’t make the same mistake this year.
• Camera Obscura – I really hope their delicate sound survives the Coachella heat.
• The xx – Here’s hoping the live show holds up to the album.
• Dirty Projectors – Ditto.
• Devo – Put on a great show at SXSW, looking for them to rock the desert.
• The Dead Weather – The Kills are one of my favorite bands so I’m counting on Alison to cast a spell on me with her siren song.
• Faith No More – Last time I saw them was opening for Metallica so here’s hoping they rock just as hard.
• Muse – Missed them the last time they played Coachella and I won’t let that happen again.
• The Soft Pack – Heard a tune online, am curious to see them live.
• Yann Tiersen – Wait, is this the soundtrack guy?
• Florence and the Machine – I’m ready to fall in love with her (sorry Neko).
• The Big Pink – Love that one song; let’s see if they can rock it live.
• Matt & Kim – Am listening to them as I write this. I hope they put on a good show.
• Gary Numan – As in “Cars“? If so, sweet!
• Sly and the Family Stone – Um, how could I miss these guys?
• Phoenix – Did a phenomenal job playing a tent during daylight so I’m only expecting the best.
• Pavement – Got into them very late so I’m hoping to see what all the fuss was about.

As was the case last year, I’m kinda hoping it’s “the year of the old man act” but I’d love to mix that up with some “I never heard of those guys and they blew me away” action too. Also, there’s a good chance I’ll see most of these acts at SXSW in March but maybe some of them will be worth a 2nd whirl.

So who are you excited to see?

Still, work can’t get in the way of Friday Fun. Allow me to present you with song that grabbed me the second I heard it on the radio. Say hello to “Dominos” by The Big Pink.

Also, I thought I should share fortune for the week.

(… I’m speechless)

Until I’m back on the West Coast, have a happy fun Friday!