Under my Coachella-ella-ella-ey Five exciting truths from this year’s Coachella line-up

There’s more to this year’s California fest than high-profile comebacks.

Words: Jamie Milton
5th January 2016

The talking points around this year’s Coachella bill are obvious. A ‘first form’ Guns ’N Roses are reuniting. Thousands who missed out five years back are finally going to see LCD Soundsystem. Calvin Harris is a handsome bastard, and also a headliner. The first full festival bill to be unveiled in 2016 is a big one, and it’s already revealed two of the biggest stories of the year.

But there’s more than a comeback or two to marvel at - scroll down through the big names and you can already pick out several of 2016’s not-that-well-kept secrets. Talk is rife about exactly who’s coming back this year, and there’s no point pretending anymore.

Below, we pick out a few lessons learned from the Coachella 2016 bill, beyond the gigantic, headline-worthy comebacks.

The Kills are back in the game

It’s out in the open that The Kills have been in the studio, but this is the first sign that Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince have timed their return for 2016. Mosshart’s been busy recording with The Dead Weather, but the pair have found time to put new ideas to tape in London. Back in 2014, they had plans to record in Michigan and Nashville. “Anything that sounds like it could have sat quite easily on any of the other records will probably get scrapped or reworked, played on some kind of different instruments with a completely different kind of rhythm and a completely different kind of feel,” Mosshart told Nashville Scene two years back. Alongside Coachella, they’re playing a handful of shows across the States in April.

Photo: Shawn Brackbill.

The Last Shadow Puppets’ second album is being backed by big dates

Alex Turner and Miles Kane are returning in 2016 with a second, dramatic, string-packed Last Shadow Puppets album. We knew that already. We also knew - according to Owen Pallett - that there’s a “classic” album in the works, with James Ford at the production helm. Coachella is the first show the pair have confirmed for this year. We’re expecting sharp suits, fireworks, the lot - get ready for ‘TLSP2’ to be one of 2016’s biggest records.

Death Grips are about to have the final say

There’s plenty of talk about whether LCD Soundsystem truly ‘called it quits’, and whether this comeback trail is a noble cause. But if you ever need an example of a group who blur the line between split and still going, there’s Death Grips. They cancel more shows than those they turn up to, but let’s face it, the fever will still be high for a Coachella appearance. They played the fest back in 2012, and it remains one of their most talked-about performances to date, proof that beyond the mind games they’re one-of-a-kind.

Bat For Lashes are readying a return

Natasha Khan’s been busy casting a spell as SEXWITCH, her project with psych-heads TOY and South London producer Dan Carey. While the expansive, magnetic effect of that project was all well and good, it’s some time since Khan focused on Bat For Lashes. Just under four years on from 2012 LP ‘The Haunted Man’, she’ll be making a live return at Coachella. It’s been a long time coming.

M83’s festival cause continues

We haven’t even had final word of a new album, but Anthony Gonzalez is already confirming himself for festivals all over the planet. M83’s return is set to be a sax-filled, bongo-laced odyssey, and Gonzalez has dubbed the untitled LP “epic”.

“There’s a lot of different genres that are not supposed to live together but I tried to make them live together, which is quite challenging. It’s also quite different from the previous albums which is what I’m the most proud of,” he told Entertainment Weekly. The high-up Friday slot at Coachella suggests the new LP will be matched with a ridiculously ambitious live set.

Tags: LCD Soundsystem, Coachella, Festivals, Features