7 Memorable Moments From Coachella 2018

MALIBU, CA – Coachella never goes as planned. I packed my schedule to the brim with bands to see, expecting to run from stage to stage when two artists conflict, only to be hit with the realities of a music festival: The stages are way farther apart than I remember, it's way too hot to run anywhere, and why would I want to stress myself out at a place that's basically an adult Disneyland?

So instead, I relaxed. I took in the environment – gigantic art sculptures, lush green grass, vibrant colors, and not a second of silence all weekend. The Weeknd sang an emotional "Call Out My Name" about ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, Beyoncé reunited Destiny's Child on stage, Eminem brought out Dr. Dre and 50 Cent as special guests, and Justin Bieber punched a guy who grabbed a woman by the throat at a Coachella party, according to TMZ.

But the best parts about Coachella for me are always the artists I stumble upon in the middle of the afternoon, and the ones I didn't even plan to see. Amidst the chaos of constant noise and over-stimulation often felt at a music festival, there are small, unexpected moments of magic that make tent camping in 90-degree weather and bumping elbows with 125,000 sweaty people worth it.

Here are some memorable moments from the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2018:

1. Benjamin Clementine teasing day-drunk Americans

Benjamin Clementine was born in London, England and moved to Paris, France as a teenager. With a voice so distinct it's hard to categorize, Clementine's coy expressions and experimental themes made for an epic set to watch while dazed from Friday's desert heat. In between songs, the modest crowd roared at the singer perched on his piano bench. "What's going on?" he said. "Is everyone drunk? Oh, you Americans. You Americans."

2. Soulwax brings the funk, starts the dance party

Soulwax is a Belgian electronic/alternative dance group with a lot of drums. Standing in lighted cubes, they played fairly simple, but super funky beats that had the whole crowd grooving to the music. In a packed tent, a room full of strangers smiled, laughed, and danced together.

3. Jean-Michel Jarre schools the crowd on the environment

A thin veil of cloud-patterned smoke shot out from the stage and blanketed the crowd while nature scenes flashed on the screen. Jean-Michel Jarre, a French man known as the "Godfather of electronic music," announced to the crowd that he's been "making music for four decades" and explained how important it is to take care of the environment. His music is an obvious nod to his love of Mother Earth with two of his albums titled Oxygène and Équinoxe.

Toward the end of his performance, he put on white gloves and green laser beams turned on in front of him at the base of the stage. It was his laser harp – he played his song "The Time Machine" by covering individual lasers with his glove, each playing particular notes.

4. Sudan Archives is a huge flirt

Sudan Archives is a Los Angeles-based singer and violinist who makes avant-garde experimental music. She does it all – writes, plays, and produces all of her own music. At only 23-years-old, she sings with an introspection of someone twice her age. In bold blue eyeshadow and a white, gold, and red gown with intricate beadwork, she stood commanding attention as modern dancers snaked around her. It was as beautiful and unique as the shy smirks she flashed the crowd with while she sang her ethereal tunes.

5. Big Thief oozes nostalgia

Big Thief is an indie folk rock band with sweet lyrics that, for some reason, make you feel a specific type of nostalgia, like missing summers from your childhood. Lead singer Adrianne Lenker sings some heavier themes, including "Shark Smile," a song that references three of her friends dying in car accidents the same year she wrote it.

Big Thief left the audience with a longing feeling, full of an emotion that wasn't exactly sadness, but something similar to it. It was the perfect Saturday afternoon, sitting in the grass with a slight breeze making its way in and out of the white tent.

6. David Byrne's theatrical performance, complete with a brain prop

The Talking Heads are legendary, so watching lead singer David Byrne was a must. I was taken aback at the contrived theatrics of his performance – he began by walking out on stage holding a pink brain in his hands while he sung his song "Here." There were almost a dozen musicians on stage with him, doing choreographed dances in between playing music. At one point, everyone on stage was laying down pretending to be asleep.

Thankfully, he sang some of The Talking Heads' greatest hits, like "This Must Be The Place" and "Blind." In between songs, he called out "Hello, desert people! People of the desert!" to the crowd and sang random phrases like "yellow palm trees, purple palm trees." It was a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience, to say the least.

#DavidByrne opens his set with his ... brain. / #coachella2018
A post shared by bypeterlarsen (@bypeterlarsen) on Apr 15, 2018 at 2:06am PDT

7. The Do LaB knows how to throw a party

The Do LaB is an alternative to Coachella, while still on festival grounds. The funkiest DJs spun songs under their infamous angular blue and white tent, while a flamingo water sprayer cooled down the crowd. The funkiest, most eclectic Coachella-goers are regulars at the Do LaB – think faux fur, face glitter and gems, colored hair, and metallic prints. There were dozens of smiles while people wiggled and danced all day. The Do Lab knows how to throw a party.

Thank you, Weekend One That was magic. See you Weekend Two folks soon! . Photo: @brittanynofomo
A post shared by Do LaB (@thedolab) on Apr 16, 2018 at 11:29am PDT

Photos and video by Patch staffer Emily Holland