Coachella is big. Like, really big. And while there’s a definite and palpable thrill to be had standing in a crowd of tens of thousands bouncing along to “M.A.A.D. City” or swaying and praying for rain, there’s plenty of action going on further down the lineup. But sorting through the dozens of bands who will be frantically fighting to keep sand out of their gear this year can be a challenge, so we put together a few must-catch acts who are either under the radar or may have slipped your mind in the perpetual digital whirlwind.
Tall Juan / Friday, 1:40 p.m., Sonora
Unless his Argentinean parents have a particularly strange sense of humor, it’s not really all that clear what Tall Juan’s real name is. Presumably he’s simply known as “the tall Juan” when standing next to his friend and former Beets bandmate Juan Wauters, but that’s pure speculation. What isn’t speculation, however, is that everything coming from his upcoming full-length debut Olden Goldies is hitting like a killer tofu outta hell. Tall Juan sounds like (and, let’s be honest, looks like) Richard Hell, but his music bounces around like The Replacements, The Runaways, and even Motörhead a bit, if you can believe it. He’s on early on Friday, so you’ll have to have your shit together if you’re gonna see him. That said, if Juan himself can be up by 1 p.m. on a Friday, you damn well better, too. — Nate Rogers
Shannon and the Clams / Friday, 6 p.m., Sonora
In Michel Gondry’s eternal video for the Foo Fighters’ “Everlong,” Dave Grohl and co. are haunted by a malicious pair of hillbillies who are, for reasons known only to Gondry, dressed as Teddy Boys. Shannon and the Clams hail from Oakland and cite Tampax as an influence, but it’s clear that the menacing and counterintuitive combo of British street fashion and southern gothic horror had a profound impact on the crew—or, you know, maybe it was The B-52’s. Either way, the raunchy honk of their doo-wop and early-rock–indebted will have you shakin’ your hip thang, babe. — Marty Sartini Garner
Guided by Voices / Friday, 8:30 p.m., Sonora
This one seems obvious, but it bears repeating year after year: Do not miss an opportunity to see Guided by Voices. Sure, Robert Pollard may release a new album every time there’s a full moon, but whether or not you’ve kept up, the club is always open—and it will guaranteed have within it more hooks (and leg kicks) than you can hang your hat on. The Dayton legends are currently touring August by Cake—GBV’s first double album, and Pollard’s one-hundredth release (!)—but you can show up expecting to hear Bee Thousand tracks played with enthusiasm, too. Or, like, go see The xx brood around for an hour. Choice is yours. — NR
Swet Shop Boys / Saturday, 1 p.m., Mojave
Come to see your favorite new actor from Rogue One and HBO’s The Night Of rap alongside Das Racist golden-boy Heems. Stay because you learn that Riz Ahmed is actually a more seasoned emcee than actor, and for flagrant political commentary over vicious Bollywood-sampling beats. — Jamie Lawlor
Grace Mitchell / Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Gobi
Grace Mitchell graced the pages of FLOOD 3 and wowed us when she played our issue launch party. She plays her debut Coachella appearances both Sundays on the heels of the release of her ’80s throwback dance party tracks “NOW” and “Kids (Ain’t All Right).” — Alan Sartirana
Hinds / Sunday, 3:05 p.m., Sonora
If you watch enough episodes of The Great British Baking Show, a theme begins to emerge: doing something simple isn’t easy. What Hinds do is very simple indeed: Leave Me Alone, their debut from early 2016, is a straightforward batch of med-fi indie rock songs that hang together with a kind of shabby grace. But in a live setting, the songs transform from stoney surf-folk into something brighter and bashier, with the group taking the words “playing music” as literally as possible. You’re not likely to see anyone have more fun on a stage this summer. — MSG
NAO / Sunday, 4:55 p.m., Gobi
She took Soundcloud by storm after releasing a duet with Jai Paul’s brother, A.K. Paul, as one of her first singles, and since then she’s been combining that wonky Paul Brothers–esque electro production with her stadium-designed vocal chops to fashion a new frontier of R&B. If you check out her debut album from last year, For All We Know, remember as you’re wandering the fields on Sunday that NAO’s high notes are even more face-melting live. — JL
Kaytranada / Sunday, 5:45 p.m., Sahara
