Coachella is coming! Okay, not really, but it sure feels like the festival is headed to town with so many of its acts booked to play here over the next week and a half. Here’s a guide to help you make sense of it all, and be sure to read our interview with Spiritualized leader Jason Pierce to catch even more Coachella runoff.
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New Order
The British dance-pop icons are back (minus longtime bassist Peter Hook) and ready to revisit classic hits like “Blue Monday” and “Bizarre Love Triangle,” along with (judging from recent setlists) some tunes from a little band called Joy Division.
With Johnny Marr, April 11, 8 p.m., $40, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.
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Vampire Weekend
The buoyant Brooklyn band, whose two albums have ranked seventh and sixth on Pitchfork’s 2008 and ’10 year-end album lists, returns with third full-length Modern Vampires of the City on May 14. We’ll put its odds of breaking the top 5 at even money.
With Tanlines, April 12, 8 p.m., $31, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.
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How to Destroy Angels
Nine Inch Nails will return to the road later this year, but not before leader Trent Reznor plays a few shows with his other band, featuring lead vocals from his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, atop atmospheric instrumentation.
With Diiv, April 13, 8 p.m., $30, the Pearl.
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Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The New York indie-rock trio releases fourth album Mosquito three days after it plays Vegas, but you can hear it all—with commentary from Karen, Nick and Brian—on YouTube right now. Just try not to stare directly at the cover art.
With Deap Vally, April 13, 8 p.m., $30, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.
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Beach House
If shimmery dream-pop is your bag, hopefully you’ve been listening to Baltimore Victoria Legrand (vocals) and Alex Scally (guitar) for years. If not, pick up 2012’s Bloom, then float on over to Mandalay Bay.
With Holy Sh*t, April 15, 9 p.m., $22, House of Blues.
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The xx
Speaking of dreamy pop, these Brits briefly played the Cosmo in October before rain washed away their performance. Now they’re making good on their promise to return, and who can blame them for moving the party indoors?
With Chairlift, April 16, 7 p.m., $31, the Joint.
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Hot Chip
Even if you know the words to all five albums, you haven’t fully experienced the London dance band until you’ve sweated to its songs in person. The Strip’s best Thursday-night party goes down on the pool deck.
With Four Tet, April 18, 8 p.m., $26, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.
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The Postal Service
From the acts-we-never-expected-to-see file, Death Cab’s Ben Gibbard and Dntel’s Jimmy Tamborello have resurrected their short-lived but much-loved electro-pop project to celebrate (and reissue) 2003 album Give Up. Reportedly, Las Vegas native Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley fame will also be onboard.
With Yacht, April 19, 8 p.m., $40, the Chelsea.
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Band of Horses
Ben Bridwell’s flannel-shirted American rock crew once played Vegoose, so it’s kinda fitting they’re closing out this unofficial music fest. As long as they play “The Great Salt Lake,” they have our support for Life Is Beautiful, too.
With The Olms, April 20, 8 p.m., $25, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool.
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Purity Ring
Other Coachella acts in town
Purity Ring, April 11, Beauty Bar; Spiritualized, April 12, House of Blues; Foals with The Neighbourhood, April 13, House of Blues; Skinny Lister, April 13, Backstage Bar & Billiards; Café Tacuba, April 14, House of Blues; The Selector with Lee Scratch Perry, April 14, Hard Rock Cafe (Strip); Of Monsters and Men and Local Natives, April 17, Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool; Alex Clare, April 18, Hard Rock Cafe (Strip); Dropkick Murphys, April 19, House of Blues; Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine, April 20, LVCS.
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