Fans go crazy during the annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio in 2011.

Juggling Coachella set times is serious business. Here are some suggestions of who to see for a well-rounded Coachella music experience.

Friday:  If you’re planning on heading to the grounds as soon as they open, check out Los Angeles-based alternative/electronica band Abe Vigoda (Gobi, 12:00) or hit up LA Riots (Sahara, 12:15). If you’re looking to start the dance party later in the afternoon, check out Neon Indian (Outdoor, 4:25), head over to Grouplove (Mojave, 5:05), stop by the Girls (Outdoor, 5:40) set, and then get a good spot for the Arctic Monkeys (main stage, 6:30). Run over to M. Ward (Mojave, 7:35), and then head out early to get a good spot for Pulp (main stage, 7:50) who haven’t toured the states in 14 years. Stick around for my favorite 90s shoegaze dream pop band, Mazzy Star (main stage, 8:50), and then run over for The Black Keys (main stage, 9:45) or Afrojack (Sahara, 9:35).  End your evening with Swedish House Mafia (main stage, 11:30).

Saturday:  It would benefit you to check out Donald Glover, a former 30 Rock writer and the character Troy on Community, who raps under the moniker Childish Gambino (main stage, 2:50) or hit up Azealia Banks (Gobi, 2:50). tUnE-yArDs (Outdoor, 4:50) will promise a fun set, as will the Buzzcocks (Gobi, 5:15). Head back for Andrew Bird (Outdoor, 6:05) who just released a new album, and then stay exactly where you are, or try to move closer to the stage for the life-changing experience that will be seeing indie rock’s prodigal son, Jeff Mangum (Outdoor, 7:20), who is best known for fronting Neutral Milk Hotel. If your brain hasn’t melted from sheer bliss, stop by the main stage for The Shins (8:10), stick around for the recent Grammy award-winning Bon Iver (main stage, 9:30) whose front man Justin Vernon made two appearances at Coachella last year with his other band GAYNGS, and then again closing night with best bud Kanye West. If ambient, instrumental post-rock is your thing, go see legendary Canadian rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Mojave, 10:00) or put on your dancing shows for Miike Snow (Outdoor, 10:10). My complete and utter bias will tell you that you have to see Radiohead (main stage, 11:05) because Thom Yorke’s dancing skills are even more amazing in person, and I kind of have a thing for his lazy eye, but if that isn’t your thing, Kaskade (Sahara, 11:15) or ASAP Rocky (Gobi, 11:35) will be fun, too.

Sunday: Sunday seems like an all day dance party with Santigold (main stage, 3:25), who hasn’t released an official album since 2008, kicking off the afternoon. Follow that with one of our own, OC-based The Growlers (Outdoor, 4:20) or indie rock band Real Estate (Gobi, 4:10), who won my heart over with a music video starring cute dogs. Follow that with Wild Flag (Outdoor, 5:30) or Dada Life (Sahara, 5:30), and then head back to the main stage for The Hives (6:05). Gotye (Mojave, 7:10) should ensure a good crowd, as will Justice (main stage, 7:45) and Girl Talk (Outdoor, 8:25). Depending on your speed, you can hit up indie favorite Beirut (Mojave, 8:30) or DJ-of-the-moment Calvin Harris (Sahara, 8:25). Catch the end of At the Drive-In (main stage, 9:10), who haven’t played together since their break-up 11 years ago. End your Coachella weekend with what will undoubtedly be an epic performance by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg (main stage, 10:35) on the main stage, with rumors of an appearance by Eminem.

The cool thing about music festivals is every artist playing is guaranteed ear candy. If running back and forth isn’t your thing, you can stay at the Sahara tent all weekend for the ultimate dance sesh, or split your time between the Outdoor stage and the main Coachella stage for the bigger-named bands. Keep your ears open as you circle the festival grounds because your favorite new band might be playing as you make your way to the food stands.

By Diana Le, for orangecounty.com

See also:
5 Tips for Surviving Coachella
Your Coachella 2012 Style Guide

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