Hundreds of LED lit balloons marked the sky as we gazed over what had become our home over the past four days. It was the last show, the final push. We were running on fumes and anticipation after a weekend full of countless standout acts. This was the set we had been waiting for since we were fourteen, sneaking Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg CD’s into our sister’s Walkman to memorize every explicit detail of what would become so monumental so quickly. As we stood amongst the masses in complete disbelief, the entire weekend flashed before our eyes.
Now that Week 2 of Coachella is over, the reality is setting in: the end is here. Put away your camping gear, your laser lights should find their way back into your closet, and for godsake put those weird 'fivefinger' shoes in your attic (unless Coachella is only the start of your festival season). For all of you Junkies who just can't get enough, this is the withdrawal period. Symptoms include and are not limited to:
- Coachella word vomit: you try to mention your epic weekend in every conversation you have.
- Coachella Facebook Stalking: when you sit in front of your computer flipping through all your friends (even strangers) Coachella albums.
- Plain old post-festival depression.
The next two weeks are rife with concerts for any music lover out there; Bad Brains for the punks, Mastodon for the metalheads, and enough dance and electronic music to satisfy even the most die hard ravers. Here is a short but currated list of shows for the next two weeks. If you see something you like, don't wait to get tickets!
Mastodon, Opeth @ Roseland Ballroom (April 11)
The Chainsmokers @ WIP (April 12)
Alex Ridha, the German mastermind behind the skullcrushing electro mayhem of Boys Noize, is one busy man. At 27 years old, he runs white hot Boys Noize Records, plays festivals from Berlin to Montreal, and has even had a song featured in the massively popular Grand Theft Auto IV, so the next time you jack a Lamborghini you can outrun the cops while being assualted with the mindmelting grandeur of '& Down.' Where he found the time to put together Power, his first album since his debut Oi Oi Oi blew up dancefloors in 2007, is a mystery on par with what Daft Punk look like behind the robot helmets.