The Best Sets From Coachella (“Couchella”) on YouTube, AXS and XM

Ok so we didn’t go to the festival this year but we did have a amazing “Couchella” party. we practically watched the whole thing from my living room and listened in my car all weekend suffering a bit because we decided not to go this year. As we watched we realized that the line-up was all about the small print rather than the headliners. We thought hmm maybe we should’ve gone but we do have Bonnarroo to look forward to this year, for the first time no less. So we let the FOMO go.

The nice thing about Coachella is that if offers a great balance of rock/indie/alternative to EDM music. It’s one of the few festivals I think that does a good job of this. I’m a fan of both being a 90’s pseudo rave kid, I attended the first Ultra and many other raves in SFL, but I also grew up listening to punk, gothic, and alternative music.

Although a lot of the festival buzz revolves around celebrities, fashion and who kissed what, the festival essentially is or should be about the music. I’m sure a lot of kids may not even remember half of it and the celebrities who attend get paid to be seen there but its a music festival when it comes down to it.  I think weekend 2 is better calmer, more about the music and all the glitches are ironed out by then.

As we say goodbye to 2015’s Coachella here are the best sets we saw from our couches. Regrets aside, luckily many performances were streamed or shown on the internet, TV and on the radio. We didn’t get to see all the acts because only certain artists were streamed but even when you actually go to Coachella you don’t get to see everything unless you can somehow clone yourself. It was almost like being there without spending tons of money, dealing with the desert heat and fighting the crowds. Next year it would be nice to see more artists sets on AXS TV they’re coverage seemed a bit limited.

We’re going to Bonnaroo this year for the first time so check back for insight on our preparations and for updates live from the festival.

Lets look at the best sets (streamed on YouTube, AXS TV and XM Radio) from Coachella 2015:

Last day of Coachella. See you tonight at Gobi stage 930

A photo posted by ODESZA (@odesza) on Apr 19, 2015 at 12:33pm PDT

Odesza– Electronic Duo from Seattle- Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight

These guys can make an entrance! They started off their set with the USC drum line and rolled into their gorgeous, dreamy, synth sound. They brought out two guest vocalists and general energy was just amazing even off the TV screen. AXS didn’t show this performance as their coverage was a bit limited. I really wish they would have shown more artists sets as well as full sets.

Love this shot from tonight at #Coachella in my NY Yankees Wonder Woman suit by @pantheoneparis !!! A photo posted by @kiesza on Apr 11, 2015 at 12:53am PDT

Kiesza– Canadian house vocalist

She is amazing, her vocals impressive and her Wonder Woman outfit with skirt made out of New York Yankees baseball caps was off the hook. The dancing is what really made me notice her the video for Hideaway.  In her Coachella performance she featured two B-Girl dancers who along side her ripped up the dance floor. Ahhhmazing! -not shown by AXS TV.

Coachella just had its shit rocked! Zach de la Rocha, @missyeahoe , @travisbarker , @despotroast ! Hype as fuck!

A photo posted by Run the Jewels (@run_the_jewelsgto) on Apr 11, 2015 at 9:04pm PDT

Run the Jewels- Hip hop duo from New York El P and Killer Mike

This is the first hip hop act I actually love in a long time since probably the Pharcyde. They really get the crowd going with their contagious energy to the point where the audience sings along. They did all their best songs probably the whole album and brought up Zac De La Rocha and Travis Barker to top things off. They work together honestly and powerfully with some politics thrown in. AXS TV showed this performance for weekend two and they didn’t seem as energetic as they were during weekend one.

Blue Steel A photo posted by Royal Blood (@royalblooduk) on Aug 9, 2014 at 4:44pm PDT

Royal Blood– British rock duo

I’ve loved this band from the first single I heard. Their performance was intense and sharply executed, vocals were smooth; the crowd looked like they were really into it and they just rocked the stage with songs from their debut album, it’s incredible what two guys a drum kit and a guitar can do. (not shown on AXS TV)

Byeeeeeee ThankYou so much Coachella. You were wonderful. See you next weekend. 

A photo posted by Florence Welch (@ouhoh) on Apr 13, 2015 at 11:59am PDT

Florence and the Machine– British indie pop/rock band lead by Florence Welch

Their energy is infectious and Welch has some powerhouse vocal talent. They played hit songs from 2009 Lungs and 2011 Ceremonials and some new ones including the title track from upcoming album How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful set to be released on May 29th.  Her high energy demeanor caused her to break her foot after jumping off the stage into the crowd.   Their performance for weekend two was shown on AXS featuring a sitting Florence Welch, her voice still hit all the notes but the energy was not the same of course. Father John Misty came out to sing with her, which did make things a bit more entertaining. It was great to see more surprise guests during weekend two this year, usually most of the surprises come in on weekend 1. Anyhow we really hope Welch gets better for Bonnaroo because were looking forward to seeing her there.

Jack White–  American blues rock singer and record producer

White played songs from his solo albums as well as a few from the White Stripes. It was great performance infused with a violinist who also sang with White on some of the songs. It was quite spectacular as he put a spin on his hit songs somehow making them sound a bit different. I feel as if no two Jack White performances are the same. AXS didn’t show Jack White but we heard his set on XM and it was truly amazing.

Weekend 2  #AngusAndJuliaStone #Coachella

A photo posted by Angus & Julia Stone (@angusandjuliastone) on Apr 17, 2015 at 9:07pm PDT

Angus and Julia Stone– Aussie brother and sister folk pop duo

Although they didn’t stream this set I heard it on XM radio and it was quite spectacular! They sounded wonderful, Julia’s raspy dreamy voice is just as hypnotizing live as they played hits from album Down the Way.  They weren’t on AXS but they were on XM radio wow they are unbelievably talented, we really need to see them live.

@clubdownunder last night! Gainesville FL tonight! Photo by @jordanobi A photo posted by @sylvanesso on Mar 28, 2015 at 9:26am PDT

Sylvan Esso- Synth pop duo from N. Carolina

Another impressive energetic duo with Amelia Meath’s beautiful voice to guide them and Nick Sanborn providing the sounds. They are electric as Meath dances in high glittery platforms throughout the performance and interacted cheerfully with the crowd. They were just as good on weekend 2 maybe a bit calmer but two truly solid performances.

Stromae- Belgian singer rapper

Wow this dude knows how to give a spectacular performance as the writhes and dances on stage while singing in french. Even if you don’t the language you can still feel the groovy vibe given off by the singer. He gives a dramatic and theatrical performance while changing into different costumes a la top hat and suit a bit reminiscent of a Clockwork Orange. He wasn’t featured on AXS or XM but I heard Kanye showed up weekend 2, bleh.

Other notable performances included Alabama Shakes, Azalea Banks, The War On Drugs, Interpol, Hozier, FKA Twigs (weekend 2, weekend one we couldn’t hear her voice on YouTube stream) Alt-J, Belle and Sebastian, Porter Robinson, Madeon and Kygo.