Name: Regina Spektor
Genre: Folk
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “Regina Spektor (born February 18, 1980) is a Russian-born American singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music is associated with the anti-folk scene centered on New York City’s East Village.Spektor’s songs rely on a mixture of styles and techniques, often starting with a piano riff and integrating moans, nonsense words, groans, gurglings, or warblings. Spektor has said that she has created 700 songs, but that she rarely writes any of them down. Spektor’s songs are not usually autobiographical, but rather are based on scenarios and characters drawn from her imagination. Her songs show influences from folk, Jewish,Russian,hip hop, jazz, and classical music.Spektor’s musical style has drawn many comparisons to fellow singer-pianists Fiona Apple and Tori Amos^. Spektor has said that she works hard to ensure that each of her songs has its own musical style, rather than trying to develop a distinctive style for her music as a whole.”

The first thing that you notice when listening to Regina Spektor is her voice. It isn’t unique yet I couldn’t name anyone who it sounds like. The second thing is her lyrics, they tell tales yet are completely random at the same time for songs like Samson. The third thing is her looks - she’s just so damn cute! Spektor has been on a bit of a run in the mainstream lately, you probably heard Fidelity on television in an ad (couldn’t name which one) with it’s repeating “and it breaks my har-har-har-har-har-har-heart” which sounds just wonderful. Chances are I won’t remember who she is in six months, but I think I’ll check her out anyway.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Yeah.

Read on to view Regina Spektor live videos…

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Name: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Genre: Rock
Day: Saturday

Wikipedia sez: “The Red Hot Chili Peppers is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983 by Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Hillel Slovak (guitar), and Michael “Flea” Balzary (bass), along with drummer Jack Irons. Throughout their career, the band has fused various elements of punk, funk, heavy metal and rap. They hold the record for most number one singles on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart with 11, and has held a record of 81 weeks at number one.”

Despite many members on the Coachella message boards getting stuck into them, I can’t get enough of some Chili Willie action, especially if it’s stuff off the Californication album. My mate Pete saw them last weekend and said that it was a decent show, despite the random (and long) jamming between songs and the really odd finish with John Frusciante “turning some knobs”. But hey, at least Flea is wearing clothes? The Chili Peppers have had some great performances in the past (Woodstock ‘99 is one of my favourites), but after reports from their recent tours, I have no idea what to expect. Unless some bigger name pops up on Saturday night, I think I’ll be checking them out.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Yes.

Read on to view Red Hot Chili Peppers live videos…

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Name: Ratatat
Genre: Electronic
Day: Sunday

Wikipedia sez: “Ratatat is a New York City electronic music duo consisting of guitarist Mike Stroud and synthesizer driver and producer Evan Mast. Mike Stroud and Evan Mast met as Skidmore College students, but did not work together until they recorded “Cherry” in 2001, a track that later would end their debut album. Their 2004 debut, Ratatat, was written and recorded in Mast’s Crown Heights, Brooklyn apartment on Stroud’s PowerBook. This album is entirely instrumental, except for occasional excerpts of dialogue at the beginning and end of some tracks.”

Pretty interesting concept - one guy jams on a guitar and the other guy spins instrumental tracks. But everything I have read about Ratatat playing live suggests that they are one of the worst case of groups to see live, simply because their live performances are identical to their albums. From what I’ve heard of their album tracks it’s not too bad, ambient abstract rock, sort of a cross between Air and Guy Sigsworth. Will they be worth checking out, just in case? Well chances are they will be performing early, so I may just give them a go after all.

Likelyhood of Seeing at Coachella: Maybe..

Read on to view Ratatat live videos…

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