So the first weekend of Coachella, probably the most hyped festival of 2014, is over. The festival, held in Indio, CA, has seen headline sets from Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Prince in past years and this year's lineup is just as star studded.
While I was sat at home in rainy England wishing I was in the California sun and watching live streams, I put together a quick playlist of all the essential tracks from this year's performers.
Temples - Shelter Song
This track is a perfect example of the old school psychedelic style rock we've come to expect from this homegrown band and their debut album Sun Structures. The sun soaked Colorado Desert would be the perfect setting for this chilled out tune.
Jhené Aiko - Bed Peace
My favourite track from one of the most talked about acts at the festival this year. Jhené's set featured appearances from Drake and, performing on this track, Childish Gambino but her dreamy R and B vocals and on stage presence stole the show on the closing night. I love the relaxed vibes of this song and the John and Yoko inspired music video.
Haim - If I Could Change Your Mind
Another great female act, the three Haim sisters headed up the Outdoor Theatre Stage on the Friday with their immaculate blend of perfect pop-rock hits and old school bluesy vibes. Whilst one of the best live acts at the moment, this latest single from Days Are Gone shows the band's impressive studio talents, with production from Arctic Monkeys favourite James Ford.
Lana Del Rey - West Coast
Yep she's back. The most influential woman in the alternative scene at the moment gave her Coachella audience an exclusive preview to her new album Ultraviolence when she performed this hazy summer time track. Featuring her distinctive drawl and a hypnotic beat, the track highlights Lana's unwillingness to make anything but the music she loves.
Lorde - Tennis Court
Say what you want about the overplayed Royals, the 17 year old New Zealander already has an impressive career under her belt and a style unlike anything else in the current charts. This latest single was the first snippet I heard off Pure Heroine and remains one of the album's best tracks.
Solange - Losing You
Probably the most exciting moment for Solange fans was when big sister Beyonce joined her on stage for a dance at the end of her set. I think Solange still has a way to come to distance herself from her sister and establish herself as an individual artist but this track is fun, carefree and effortlessly cool.
Nas - Dead Presidents II
Jhené Aiko had Drake and Childish Gambino, Solange had Beyonce, Pharrell had anyone and everyone and even Chance the Rapper got in on the action with a guest appearance from none other than Justin Bieber. None of these, however, came close to the historic union of Nas and Jay Z when Hov himself joined Nas on stage for this track, the same song that marked the end of their age old feud in 2005 when they performed it together live at Jay's comeback show. Is it bad to say I miss the old diss tracks?
Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
No Coachella playlist would be complete without the return of rap icons André 3000 and Big Boi. Unfortunately, as excitement for their reunion increased, Big Boi confirmed that no new albums were in the pipeline. Ah well, this hit from their 4th album Stankonia is still an all time classic.
While I was sat at home in rainy England wishing I was in the California sun and watching live streams, I put together a quick playlist of all the essential tracks from this year's performers.
Temples - Shelter Song
This track is a perfect example of the old school psychedelic style rock we've come to expect from this homegrown band and their debut album Sun Structures. The sun soaked Colorado Desert would be the perfect setting for this chilled out tune.
Jhené Aiko - Bed Peace
My favourite track from one of the most talked about acts at the festival this year. Jhené's set featured appearances from Drake and, performing on this track, Childish Gambino but her dreamy R and B vocals and on stage presence stole the show on the closing night. I love the relaxed vibes of this song and the John and Yoko inspired music video.
Haim - If I Could Change Your Mind
Another great female act, the three Haim sisters headed up the Outdoor Theatre Stage on the Friday with their immaculate blend of perfect pop-rock hits and old school bluesy vibes. Whilst one of the best live acts at the moment, this latest single from Days Are Gone shows the band's impressive studio talents, with production from Arctic Monkeys favourite James Ford.
Lana Del Rey - West Coast
Yep she's back. The most influential woman in the alternative scene at the moment gave her Coachella audience an exclusive preview to her new album Ultraviolence when she performed this hazy summer time track. Featuring her distinctive drawl and a hypnotic beat, the track highlights Lana's unwillingness to make anything but the music she loves.
Lorde - Tennis Court
Say what you want about the overplayed Royals, the 17 year old New Zealander already has an impressive career under her belt and a style unlike anything else in the current charts. This latest single was the first snippet I heard off Pure Heroine and remains one of the album's best tracks.
Solange - Losing You
Probably the most exciting moment for Solange fans was when big sister Beyonce joined her on stage for a dance at the end of her set. I think Solange still has a way to come to distance herself from her sister and establish herself as an individual artist but this track is fun, carefree and effortlessly cool.
Nas - Dead Presidents II
Jhené Aiko had Drake and Childish Gambino, Solange had Beyonce, Pharrell had anyone and everyone and even Chance the Rapper got in on the action with a guest appearance from none other than Justin Bieber. None of these, however, came close to the historic union of Nas and Jay Z when Hov himself joined Nas on stage for this track, the same song that marked the end of their age old feud in 2005 when they performed it together live at Jay's comeback show. Is it bad to say I miss the old diss tracks?
Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
No Coachella playlist would be complete without the return of rap icons André 3000 and Big Boi. Unfortunately, as excitement for their reunion increased, Big Boi confirmed that no new albums were in the pipeline. Ah well, this hit from their 4th album Stankonia is still an all time classic.