Stop Hating on the 2013 Coachella Lineup

Since when is Coachella so punk? Greg Ginn and the Royal We was...interesting last year, but this year's punk lineup is incredible. The Descendents are playing a rare show, which personally seals the deal for me. It's easy to overlook, but The Evens are playing on Saturday meaning that one of the leading figures in the straight edge punk movement will be hanging out at Coachella, Ian MacKaye.

Getting The Dead Kennedys' original line up back together is just about as likely as a Smiths reunion. The Faux Kennedys were pretty horrible live, so even though East Bay Ray won't be hanging around, the wonderfully intelligent fast talking Jello Biafra will perform with the Guantanamo School of Medicine.

In a somewhat strange move, Social Distortion is billed pretty high on Sunday. It should be interesting to see hipsters fawn over Mike Ness instead of rockabilly gals.

There are a few "new school" punk bands on the bill as well. It's not surprising that The Gaslight Anthem found their way there after building their audience quite a bit after signing to a major label. Though it would have made sense with the rumors and tour dates, Lucero is not playing, though Dropkick Murphys will be there instead. That makes just about as much sense as The Aquabats playing, but to each his own.

Bands That Put Out Awesome Albums Last Year:

Passion Pit, Band of Horses, Beach House, Japandroids, Divine Fits, TNGHT, Polica, Purity Ring, Lord Huron, The xx, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Wild Nothing, El-P, Spiritualized, Diiv, and more.

Good Hip-Hop:

I'm not so sure about 2 Chainz (then again, I'm grumpy because I saw him open for Nicki Minaj), but El-P, Jurassic 5, Danny Brown, Pusha T, and Earl Sweatshirt all sound great...not to mention, Wu-Tang Clan!

Good EDM Acts That Sound Suspiciously Like Identity Fest's Lineup:

Simian Mobile Disco, Moby, Major Lazer, Fedde Le Grand, Bingo Players, Eric Prydz, Hardwell and Paul Oakenfold? Yes, please.

...And The Totally Random:

Just when you thought Dropkick Murphys were the strangest band on the line up, a closer look reveals Lee "Scratch" Perry and Social Distortion (still really don't get that one). Most of the last billed bands are pretty random...can one have a "Ladies Night" while sipping on a "Mimosa" on Sunday?

At any rate, in spite of most of the hate I've seen online, I am pleased with this line up and I believe most of you will be too once you look into it a bit more.