Name: Ghostface Killah
Genre: Rap
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “Ghostface Killah, aka Ghostface, Tony Starks, Ironman (born Denis Coles, May 9, 1970, Staten Island, New York) is a rapper and member of the hip-hop collective, Wu-Tang Clan. His name is derived from the alias of the primary villain from the film Ninja Checkmate (aka The Mystery of Chess Boxing). After Wu-Tang Clan achieved breakthrough commercial success in the early 1990s, Ghostface, like his clan-mates, began a solo career, which turned out to be one of the most critically and commercially successful solo careers of the group members. Early in his career he would wear a mask during performances and photoshoots. It was rumoured this was because Ghostface was wanted by the police and did not publicly remove it until his name was cleared.”

When I started listening to rap, I came in a little bit too late for Wu-Tang and never really liked them. But thanks to a single track on the Fort Minor - We Major mixtape,? I decided to check out Ghost’s latest album - Fishscale. Incredible album, Ghostface has a crazy yet nice flow and interesting rhymes with a few good beats too. The other thing about it, it was 24 tracks long with three quarters of the tracks being decent - something that doesn’t usually happen with name rapper’s albums these days. So that’s it, Ghostface probably will release a new album next year.. wait, that’s not right. Ghost then did something that you never see, and released a second album (More Fish) with another 24 bangers. That’s some work ethic, and he brings the same thing to his live shows too.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Yes, should be good.

Read on to view Ghostface Killah live videos…

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Name: Fountains of Wayne
Genre: Pop/Rock
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop/rock band, formed in 1995. The band name was taken from the name of a lawn-ornament store in Wayne, New Jersey, called “Fountains of Wayne“, not far from Montclair, New Jersey, the hometown of the band’s bassist and cofounder Adam Schlesinger. Billboard reported that Fountains of Wayne are working on a new studio album. Traffic and Weather’s release is scheduled for April 3, 2007. Blender magazine named them one of the reasons to love 2007 because of the release of their latest album”

So you are probably thinking like me, Fountains of Wayne are still around? Sure they were catching for fifteen minutes with song for the MILF lovers’ Stacy’s Mom, but what else do they have to bring, and can they bring it at a festival? After listening to more of their music it’s clear that FoW have been focusing on less then catchy power pop tunes. Plus the lead singer looks really old, but I’m sounding like a bitch now. They are no Dressy Bessy, that’s for sure.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: No thanks.

Read on to view Fountains of Wayne live videos…

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Name: Fields
Genre: Indie
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “Fields are an Anglo-Icelandic electronic/indie band formed in London. In early 2006 the band played their first live shows. This sparked a bidding war amongst UK record companies. They eventually signed a deal with Atlantic Records which allows them to keep releasing records through their own Black Lab Records set-up with the album being released by Atlantic. They have recorded their debut album with legendary producer Michael Beinhorn who has produced the likes of Herbie Hancock, Korn, Soundgarden and Marilyn Manson.”

It’s hard finding decent live performances on YouTube and the like, so when I saw Fields (who are one of many British band who have dropped “The” from their name, see Klaxons and Editors) officially put live stuff online, I was impressed.? I wish I could say the same thing about their music however. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not bad in any way but it didn’t jump out and impress me by any means either. But from the sounds of it, it’s music that could grow on you if you listened to it long enough. It’s straight up indie too, no way it’s electronic despite the electronic piano/samples.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Depends on clashes.

Read on to view Fields live videos…

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Name: Felix Da Housecat
Genre: Electronic
Day: Friday

Wikipedia sez: Felix da Housecat (born Felix Stallings in Detroit, Michigan) is a House music DJ and record producer. Felix is regarded as a member of the second wave of Chicago house. He entered the dance music elite not only via his recordings (under a number of aliases, including Thee Maddkatt Courtship, Aphrohead and Sharkimaxx), but also for his ownership of Radikal Fear Records, one of the premiere Chicago labels of the 1990s.

For some reason I thought Felix was a hip-hop producer, despite the name giving away what genre he works in. His music sounds okay to me (I’m not a major house fan by any means), but I think I won’t be seeing him only due to clashing. All I will say about his music is, that it sounds like something you’d hear as you drive along in Need For Speed: Underground.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella:? Doubt it.

Read on to view Felix Da Housecat live videos…

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Name: Faithless
Genre: Dance
Day: Friday

Wikipedia sez: “Faithless are a UK group of musicians whose music is described by one of their band as a cross between hip-hop and dance. While they are mostly famous for their dance songs (”Insomnia” “God Is A DJ” and “We Come 1″), they try to produce albums which offer a blend of styles. The three principal members of Faithless are Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. Jazz acts as a vocalist mostly rapping and elevates the euphoric, ambient music to a spiritual and socio-political level with many of his lyrics; Bliss, as arguably the most popular female DJ not to mention her talents in playing the piano, violin, saxophone and bass, constructs most of the music while Rollo heads and produces the band’s genre-defying sound. Lead female vocals for many of their songs are performed by Pauline Taylor.”

I honestly thought Faithless broke up, so to have them together and performing at Coachella will be a special treat. I’ve never seen Faithless live despite being a fan of their music (It really doesn’t get much better then We Come 1 or Muhammad Ali) so I look forward to seeing Maxi Jazz and crew belt out an amazing live performance. Faithless really mix it up, with nightclub friendly dance (Insomnia) to soulful hip-hop (Muhammad Ali) to sample based trip-hop (Weapons of Mass Destruction). I regretted not seeing them the last few times they have been out (especially a few years back when there were at one of the better Big Day Out lineups), so I can’t wait to see them at Coachella.? Here’s hoping they don’t clash with anyone else.
Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella:? Definitely, barring a clash.

Read on to view Faithless live videos…

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Name: Fair To Midland
Genre: Rock
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Fair to Midland is a United States rock band formed in 1998. As of January 2007, the group has released two albums and an EP, with a third full-length record announced for June 12. The band has just finished up a tour, opening along side Bleed the Dream, for Dir en grey”

Fair to Midland doesn’t sound like a Coachella band. They make music with slightly jazzy, harmonic structures and the lead singer sounds like an absolute wuss (comments like these will lead me to be beaten to a pulp, I’m sure of it). Really soft sounding rock music suited to mainstream adult/contemporary radio imo, not my kind of scene.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Nope!

Read on to view Fair To Midland live videos…

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Name: Explosions In The Sky
Genre: Rock
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Explosions in the Sky is a post-rock, instrumental band originating in Texas. They primarily play with three guitars (on occasion one of them being a bass) and a set of drums. The band typically creates instrumental songs, which tend to develop over the span of many minutes. Originally called Breaker Morant, Explosions in the Sky was formed in Austin, Texas in 1999. Hrasky is from Rockford, Illinois, and the rest of the band hails from Midland, Texas. They quickly gained a reputation for themselves among other established local bands such as Lift to Experience. Temporary Residence Limited signed the band on the strength of their demo after only half a listen; the demo was submitted by fellow Austin band The American Analog Set with a brief note saying, “This totally fucking destroys”.”

The note was right, it really does totally fucking destroy. The name may not sound familiar and you will never hear Explosions In The Sky on the radio, but they first sprung to the mainstream on the soundtrack for movie Friday Night Lights. They make guitar based instrumental rock, and it sounds really damn good. Peaceful but spectacular at the same time, as soon as a track ends you are left wanting more despite that fact that the track you just listened to went 8+ minutes. They just better play early in the day (around 4:30-5pm would be nice) and don’t clash with Air.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella:? A must see. Not missing this one for the world.

Read on to view Explosions In The Sky live videos…

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