Check It. Coachella weekend essentials.

You can't be a young person in Los Angeles and not at least acknowledge that Coachella is this weekend. Here's is a list of what you'll need to do it right. If I've missed anything, please leave your suggestions!

Basic road trip skills (a "BEAT" post from yours truly back in October)

Awesome sunglasses

A big hat

Good sunscreen

Comfortable sandals

Plenty of water

A place to hang your hat in the desert

A list of must-see bands, and their set times

... and of course a weekend pass!

Enjoy!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: poorlittleitgirl.com

Check It. Coachella bands to see.

You've had the chance to mull over those Coachella set times for hours now. Have you got your weekend set?

You haven't, unless you've got these artists below. These are bands or musicians that may or may not know so much about, but are definitely worth your while, or at least can act as a great soundtrack to lounging in the sun:

Friday:
The tents and stages will definitely be rumbling around the 4pm hour, with the ever-hyped Odd Future going up against the entertaining Cee-Lo Green, local faves Warpaint and and sing-along-friendly Morning Benders, so get your adrenaline going by catching Titus Andronicus right before it all. The Jersey natives hit the Outdoor Theatre at 3:30pm and will rock the perfect anthem-driven tunes to begin your weekend like you're going into battle (because you basically will be).
Also don't miss: Cut Copy, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Robyn

Saturday:
With Arcade Fire ending this night in all their glory, the day's filled with openers in the same indie music ilk -- Broken Social Scene, Bright Eyes, Two Door Cinema Club, Henry Clay People. Catch a still up-and-comer in Cults, a twosome from San Diego (but now based in New York) who craft fun, delightful pop tunes inspired by the '60s and doo wop. Their debut is set to release in May, so get a jump on knowing their new songs when they perform on the Gobi stage at 1:55pm.
Also: Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Radio Dept., Rye Rye

Sunday:
It's all about the staples on this last day: Kanye, the Strokes, DFA 1979. Watch Delorean to start off your day right. The Spaniards will either get you up dancing or allow you dream off into a haze, but either way, the catchy dance tunes will put you in a euphoric mood. They'll be playing on the Gobi stage at 2pm, and will give you just the boost you need.
Also: Twin Shadow, Chromeo, MEN

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Wired.com

Check It. Coachella set times.

They're finally up -- Coachella has posted the set times for this weekend's desert music festivities. Check them out here, and start planning! And check back tomorrow for some BEAT picks, courtesy of moi.

Happy Coachella-ing!

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Refinery29's spring playlist [The Monday Download].

I've been getting a lot of spring wardrobe advice lately from one of my favorite fashion sites, Refinery29, but I was pleasantly surprised to find them dabbling in music recently too, with their tastes in sound just as fashionable as their spreads.

To wit, here's the spring 2010 playlist, curated by none other than Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste--who's just fresh off a set from Coachella this weekend, by the way. He's bringing some other favorites from Coachella into the mix too, like Jonsi (going solo from Sigur Ros) and Beach House, so this makes for the perfect nostalgia-rich wind-down from your crazy weekend (with fade outs between songs too!).

Grab that sunscreen, sit out by the pool, turn this up and say hello to spring. Thanks Ed!

-- Chau Tu

Do It. See these Coachella bands.

I don't need to tell you, but Coachella starts tomorrow. And I'm sure that you've been mulling over those set times list for hours now, planning your trek. It's impossible to see everything you wish you could, and if you're going to this, you probably don't need yet another recommendation, but I'm going to give some to you anyway.

I've kept it simple for you, though, keeping it to one pick a day, with other 'throwaway' suggestions at the end (I've stayed away from the main stages though; you should have those handled). Coincidentally, the main picks are all on the Gobi stage, and they mostly lean away from the usual rock, but variety is all what festivals are about, right?

Friday
Gil Scott-Heron, Gobi stage at 6:55pm
You may not know his name, but all your favorite musicians do. Proof? He's the guy behind "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." Seriously. People scoffed at the amount of legends at last year's Coachella, but this is the one not to be dismissed.
Also: Sleigh Bells, Yeasayer, Little Dragon, Fever Ray

Saturday
Flying Lotus, Gobi stage at 10:45pm
Atmospheric beats that'll wind you down after that druggy madness taking place on the main stages. L.A. native who makes songs like movies, and hey, he's the nephew of jazz great Alice Coltrane (and John Coltrane). He also recently opened up for Thom Yorke's new band, Atoms for Peace.
Also: John Waters, Girls, Beach House, Dirty Projectors, Devo

Sunday
Local Natives, Gobi stage at 2:10pm/Mayer Hawthorne and the County, Gobi stage at 3:20pm
Okay, this was a tie, but they follow one another and will both be awesome. Also both already mentioned by me before, but Local Natives have got amazing drumbeats and beautiful, arching harmonies to go for days (even Ed from Grizzly Bear's a fan!) and Mayer Hawthorne will swoon you off your sweaty feet.
Also: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Matt & Kim (for all out partying) or Florence & the Machine (for aesthetic value)

-- Chau Tu

Advance Notice. Coachella.

Winter blues got you down? Can't wait until you can burst into that hot, dry desert air of Indio, California and party with this year's batch of hip and must-see bands?

You're in luck (sort of)! The highly anticipated line-up for Coachella 2010 will be announced tomorrow morning at 7:15am on local radio station 106.7 FM KROQ. Will we get another legend a la last year's Sir Paul McCartney or Leonard Cohen? Which buzz bands will show up to make you forget your sunburn?

Tickets for the annual three-day fest are actually already on sale for those who are planning on camping it--and with layaway! Time to start saving that pocket change, and don't forget the sunblock.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Coachella