Coachella 2017

BY: Viki Caputo

Coachella is the #1 music festival every year, and 2017 was no different. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival officially launched in April 2001 as a one-day event, and now takes place over two weekends every April. The festival features music like rock, indie, hip hop and EDM, as well as art and sculpture exhibits. The boho fashions—and the celebrities who wear them at the California event—are always the focus of the social media blow up but it’s the innovative music and performances that draw in the crowds. We pick the top four performances worth watching.

#4 Thundercat
Anyone who knows Thundercat knows his deep love for the classic 70’s soft rock, aka Yacht Rock. For those who don’t know, Thundercat made it apparent at Coachella when he brought out Michael McDonald, the former Doobie Brothers singer himself. Thundercat was an act to remember, and with some help from McDonald, the jazz-fused performance was definitely one of the stars of Coachella 2017.

 

#3 Hans Zimmer
Zimmer referred to himself as a “special kind of crazy person” for his performance and he definitely rocked that image. Throw a movie score composer into the Coachella mix (Zimmer’s written over 150 film scores), and what else does one do but bring a full orchestra to the stage? Zimmer played medleys of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lion King as well as material from Gladiator, The Dark Knight and Inception. Witnessing the master composer in action and understanding his mind at work was pure delight for all viewers.

 

#2 Lady Gaga
Gaga’s appearance at Coachella this year brought in the crowds, making her audience easily one of the largest in Coachella history. The attention was without a doubt deserved. She brought the usual songs to the stage, such as The Edge of Glory, Poker Face and Bad Romance, and performed hits she hasn’t played in years, such as Schiebe, LoveGame and Teeth. She also featured songs from her last album, Joanne, with a debut of her new single, The Cure. Gaga’s fiery performance was exactly what we expected: amazing.

 

#1 Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar came and conquered Coachella with his Sunday night stage show that featured Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and some cuts from To Pimp a Butterfly and Untitled Unmastered. He also focused on the entirety of his new album DAMN, all framed by a comical and exciting kung fu narrative. Lamar has claimed his spot as one of the best rappers in the game right now, and did a DAMN good job winning top performance of Coachella 2017.