10 acts not to miss at Coachella

By Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 | 11 p.m.

• The Chemical Brothers (Friday, 11:40 p.m., Coachella Stage) Kings of Leon sit on Day 1’s top line, but organizers wisely picked Ed and Tom’s dance party to close out Friday’s main stage. Stream: “Galvanize”

• Caifanes (Friday, 10:45 p.m., Outdoor Theatre) Never heard of ’em? You must not be from Mexico. One of Rock en Español’s most beloved outfits plays its first U.S. show in 16 years. Stream: “Viento”

• Titus Andronicus (Friday, 3:30 p.m., Outdoor Theatre) They’re named for a Shakespearean tragedy, they quote Abraham Lincoln and they reference Bruce Springsteen. Prepare to pump thy fist. Stream: “A More Perfect Union”

• Animal Collective (Saturday, 9:45 p.m., Coachella Stage) Even if you’ve seen them before you’ll wanna see what happens when a band this weird goes on second to last on the main stage. Stream: “Fireworks”

• Arcade Fire (Saturday, 11:20 p.m., Coachella Stage) Not quite convinced Canada’s Grammy-winning throng was born to headline the main stage? Rewatch ’05’s second-stage celebration, then stake out a good spot for this year’s fireworks. Stream: “Ready to Start”

• The London Suede (Saturday, 10:40 p.m., Mojave Tent) Coachella reunions can be great (see: The Jesus and Mary Chain) and terrible (see: Happy Mondays), but a quick YouTube tour of last year’s European gigs suggests this one will be worthwhile. Stream: “So Young”

• Raphael Saadiq (Saturday, 11 p.m., Gobi Tent) Yes, he was once a member of Tony! Toni! Toné! No, that’s not why you need to catch his throwback soul set at Coachella. Stream: “Never Give Up”

• PJ Harvey (Sunday, 9:45 p.m., Outdoor Theatre) Does anyone on this year’s bill have a better back catalog? Plus, she’s got a great new record. Plus, she hasn’t toured the U.S. since ’04. Plus … hell, just see her. Stream: “The Last Living Rose”

• Death From Above 1979 (Sunday, 6:10 p.m., Coachella Stage) How badly do fans wanna see the reunited Canadian dance/noise duo? Ask the cops who (reportedly) brandished mace and tasers in response to a “riot” at their SXSW show. Stream: “Blood on Our Hands”

• Kanye West (Sunday, 10:30 p.m., Coachella Stage) “The first time I heard his new record, I wanted to get him to headline,” says Coachella organizer Paul Tollett. In other words, don’t thank Yeezy, thank Paul. Stream: “All of the Lights”

+ 10 farther under the radar OFWGKTA, Tame Impala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, The Radio Dept., Wire, Joy Orbison, Lightning Bolt, Leftfield, OFF!, Trentemøller.