Last weekend’s edition of Coachella featured everything you could hope for in a festival. There was heat, wind, dust and oh yeah, some great music as well. Between the babes and the bros, everyone seemed to have a good time taking in the sights and sounds of the desert. As weekend two is upon us, here are some of the best new bands to check out at the festival, if you are going. 

Friday:

Polica: For lucky fans who caught this early day set (by that we mean 3 pm, which is early by Coachella standards), they got to see none other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver hop on stage with the Minnesota outfit. While that was a surprise, it made since they released a new single, “Tiff,” this week that features Vernon. People were digging the group, so if you get to the festival early, head to the Gobi stage.

Alt-J: Not surprisingly, the Mercury Prize winners wowed interested on-lookers during their late afternoon set last week. We’ve been very excited about this band for some time now and watching them grow and get a huge crowd was great to see. If you’ve got some free time at 5:30, head to the Mojave tent, you won’t be disappointed.

 

Saturday:

The Colourist: Although they’re in the process of working on a new album, the Orange County-based rockers are ready to show off said new material. This is the start of what promises to be a long run for the group on the road, but they’re definitely worth seeing if you’re up by noon on Saturday. If you are awake, more power to you and you have no excuse not to see this quartet.

Ben Howard: Another site fave, the Brit is always fun to listen while hanging out with your friends. Though he’s still a bid timid on-stage, his songs sound great in a festival setting and sitting and listening to him, especially if the weather is hot, would be refreshing.

 

Sunday:

Robert DeLong: Another early act (12:40 pm), but DeLong will get you in the spirit from the onset. With fun, poppy electronic songs that will assuredly get your booty shaking, the L.A. fave is the guy to set things off on the right note. For that matter, it’s a bit surprising to see him playing so early and at an obscure time, but that being said, this is your chance to catch him in the flesh and what will be a comfortable setting before he blows up.

James Blake: This isn’t the American tennis player, the 24-year-old British electronic music producer/singer/songwriter. Last week, he played to one of the largest crowds at the Mojave tent and with good reason. His music is smart and ahead of the curve, add to that a new album that was just released last week and you have a winning formula. He goes on right before dusk, so you’ll have time to catch him and get on with your evening activities afterwards.