Name: Konono N°1
Genre: World
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Konono N°1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They combine three electric likembé (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with voices, dancers, and percussion instruments that are made out of items salvaged from a junkyard. The group’s amplification equipment is equally rudimentary, including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator and a gigantic horn-shaped amplifier. The group achieved international renown beginning in 2005, with its DIY aesthetic appealing to many fans of rock and electronic music.”

When ever I think of Congo that sketch from The Late Show (not Letterman) comes up where Santo answers Congo to just about every question he was asked. But of course this has nothing to do with Konono N°1, who’s drum based music seems to whip crowds into a total frenzy. Just listening to it makes you want to get up and throw your legs about like a lunatic and shake your head like crazy. It’s a different sound mainly because you don’t hear much stuff from Congo, and I may have to just check it out on that part alone.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Just maybe..

Read on to view Konono N°1 live videos…

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Name: Klaxons
Genre: Indie
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Klaxons are an English band, currently based in London, with a large underground following. The word ‘klaxon’ derives from the Greek verb klaz?, meaning “to shriek, and most commonly refers to air-raid sirens or other warning devices. The core band members hail from the provincial UK towns of Stratford-Upon-Avon (James Righton and Simon Taylor) and Bournemouth (Jamie Reynolds). The band’s debut album Myths of the Near Future was released on January 29, 2007 following the release of single “Golden Skans” on January 22 of the same year.”

LIE TOUCH MY HANDS AS WE DREAM OF GOLDEN SKANS OHH WOAH OHH, YOU CAN FORGET OUR FUTURE PLANS! I can’t tell you how hooked I am on that song. Despite Klaxons being more style then substance with their post-modern clothing, supernatural based lyrics and out-their videos, the trio make very entertaining music that just get you up and moving. Clashing electro with indie rock, they manage to create a sound that is both unique and intriguing, and leaves you hungry for more.? I can’t get enough of them.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: One of the sure things.

Read on to view Klaxons live videos…

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Name: Kings Of Leon
Genre: Rock
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “Kings of Leon are a rock band made up of three brothers and a cousin, based in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Their influences range from Southern rock, indie, to blues styles. Their critically acclaimed first and second albums have given them a devoted following, especially in Europe.”

Kings Of Leon are that band that I always overhear strangers talking about how great they are when I’m out yet I’ve never managed to meet someone who is a fan of them. Probably because most people would be ashamed to be a fan of such a sterotypical average southern rock band who sing songs about rockin’ out, drinking, doin’ girls and partying hard. What amazes me about them is how highly they refer to themselves in interviews while slagging off other bands. It’s easy to see why no-one in their hometown respects them, because they are awful.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: You’re having a laugh?

Read on to view Kings Of Leon live videos…

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Name: Kid Beyond
Genre: Hip-Hop
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Kid Beyond (real name Andrew Chaikin) is a singer, beat boxer and live looper based in the San Francisco area. His performances make heavy use of Ableton’s Live software to layer and loop vocal and vocal percussion tracks together to create full songs. In recognition of his innovative techniques, Ableton made him a featured artist on their website and presented him at a series of clinics in Germany.”

So I’m like “beatboxing? why would anyone want to hear that?” Don’t get me wrong, if you are a hip-hop fan chances are you have heard some beatboxing before, but I have never been crazy about Doug E. Fresh or Rahzel so what would Kid Beyond bring to the table? Unlike the other two, Beyond makes songs from his own vocal samples. He will beatbox, make a loop, repeat, layer it with computer software then add some live stuff over the top to create something completely original. Amazingly, it works really well and shows what an artist Kid Beyond is. At the end of the day, it’s still just beatboxing so unless you are really into vocal instrumentals it’s nothing amazing.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: I might, but I doubt it.

Read on to view Kid Beyond live videos…

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