Arranged in chronological order according to each band's first inception. This Top 10 includes several acts that I think are highly underrated and/or may be missed this coming weekend. Scroll down the list and see if any of these fantastic artists float your boat with your Coachella plans:
1. Big Audio Dynamite
Mick Jones' side project from The Clash. He caught hip-hop fever in America in the 80s and (at least what I'd like to believe) pioneered the rap-rock hybrid sound early on (and of course The Clash was dabbling in this new rap craze around then as well)
2. The Chemical Brothers
One of the first groups to hook me into electronic dance music back during the Dig Your Own Hole era (Block Rockin' Beats, anyone?). As far as dance music goes, these guys are high up my list. 20 years of bridging together electro, house, hip-hop, psych rock...the list goes on
3. Leftfield
True legends of techno/electronica from the 90s. One of the first groups I heard incorporating heavy African and dub influences into house music. They've only had two proper albums, but both essential to electronic music history
4. Lightning Bolt
Not that I'd be able to compare them to too many other bands personally, but one of the best noise-punk bands there ever was. A bass guitar & drum duo (much like the next band) playing heavy, loud and hard tunes. My guilty pleasure!
5. Death From Above 1979
A pre-MSTRKRFT duo of two really talented dudes playing what I like to call "dance-metal". Dirty yet melodic and dance-y rock with some synth thrown in. They broke up 5 years ago, then got back together for a special tour this year. Once in a lifetime
6. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
Recently got hooked to this singer-songwriter and her accompanying band. Catchy enough to attract my pop sensibilities, folk-y enough for me to appreciate like indie/alternative musicians providing great, original music in a realm of shitty mass-produced & manufactured music
7. Odd Future
One of the biggest groups of late getting mad buzz. They've successfully entered into the consciousness of online music fans with their self-released horrorcore and the large personalities of its members, some still high school-aged. Whether or not you believe the hype, Tyler The Creator is one troubled yet talented kid that deserves a hip-hop star
8. Tame Impala
Awesome psychedelic/alternative rock from Australia. Be one stoned, tripping on acid or plain sober, the band mesmorizes with its fuzzy guitars, filtered vocals and layered psych sounds. I'm still deciding which state to be in for them
9. Empire of the Sun
Another Australian group on the bill this year but one highly enigmatic, quirky, weird, surreal, electro and pop rock-y. A supergroup (i.e. members from Sleepy Jackson, PNAU) which barely tours but who I heard has an amazing live stage set-up. Can't wait to see this in front of my eyes
10. Foster The People
A rising indie rock group from L.A. with an electronic pop twist. With only a 3-song EP and already landing a Coachella gig within a year or so, these guys can only move on to take over the world, or implode from all the hype. I'm really hoping for the former
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