INDIO, CA- Weekend two of Coachella returned to its glory after Weekend one was tarnished by awful sound and technical issues hampering several artists sets. The bugs were fixed for Weekend two, and it was a magnificent experience.
Friday saw a standout second round from Lana Del Rey, movie moments from Sabrina Carpenter and an expansive crowd for Chappell Roan. As temperatures got higher and higher, Saturday had the tough task of trying to ensure the vibes did the same.
The best breakout star was The Japanese House (Amber Bain) performing at the Mojave Tent from 4:30-5:10pm on Friday. The new album In The End It Always Does is incredible live, and Amber has so many exciting things going on this year like touring with Maggie Rogers next month as well as her own headline shows and she started the year with an NPR Tiny Desk performance.
Amber Mary Bain, known professionally as the Japanese House, is an English indie pop musician from Buckinghamshire. Bain contributes vocals and plays guitar, synthesizer and keyboard for her music. Bain decided to pursue a career in music as a teenager.
The audience issues feel improved, too, as the crowds on the livestream look more engaged. This is likely thanks to the clearing out of the celebrities and the influencers who flock to weekend one but don’t tend to make the second trip down. Letting the place be busier and more concentrated with actual music fans, the artists seem relieved.
The issue of influencer fatigue seemed truly pointless, yet it dominated the headlines following Weekend 1. Who cares? People have always and will always get dressed up, maybe film aspects of their concert experience with friends or family.
No one at Coachella brought it up, so it felt like a non issue. On to day 2.
For day two of weekend two, the same stellar lineup returned for a second go around. No Doubt, Tyler The Creator, Jungle and Ice Spice were the big acts of the day. However, the day has been coloured by redemption. After flopping or failing last weekend, Blur and Grimes were on a mission to make up for weak weekend one set.
Watching No Doubt’s performance, its shocking the iconic band hadnt played a gig in nine years. Towards the end of their career-spanning setlist, as Gwen Stefani proved she still has pop-punk power, they played their mega-hit ‘I’m Just A Girl’.
Naturally, the crowd went wild for the track. At one point, Stefani interrupted the track for a bit of crowd participation from the huge late-night audience. She directed the men in the crowd to sing, “I’m just a girl”. Then, when it came to hearing the girls sing it, she decided she wanted a better view.
As Stefani scaled the scaffolding on the side of the stage, the risk assessment of the event was on rocky territory. But luckily, there were no slips or falls. Instead, the crowd screamed their part and the set roared on as a success.
Headliner Tyler, the Creator brought out fellow Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt for a few tracks, including “Bastard” and “Wolf.” And on the other side of the fest, Dom Dolla wrapped up the night with Tove Lo, who performed an unreleased track the Aussie DJ teased on all four of his Coachella performances.
For the final day of Coachella ’24, Reneé Rapp was accompanied by Coco Jones on the Outdoor stage for their rendition of “Tummy Hurts.” Kid Cudi, a surprise addition on Weekend 2, greeted an overflow crowd at the Sahara tent, making it perhaps the most-attended set on that stage. Too bad it was cut short when he jumped off that stage while performing “Memories”—and broke his foot. J Balvin once again delivered a high-energy show, joined this time by Maria Becerra, Jowell & Randy and De La Ghetto.
One of the best surprise guests on Weekend 2 was 50 Cent, who made an appearance during DJ Snake’s set, doing “Many Men,” “In da Club” and “P.I.M.P.” And concluding the weekend was Doja Cat, who brought out Teezo Touchdown to once again duet with her on “MASC.”
That’s if for Coachella until next year, but next weekend is Stagecoach!
