Every year, the burning questions mount. How should I wear my hair? What changes do I need to make in my life? Should I get tested? Is Coachella worth the trip? Well, Mandatory can help you with the last one, as the 2015 Coachella lineup has been out long enough for us to pick it apart and break down the simple pros and cons of another staple music experience. Use them to answer the most important question of the bunch: Is Coachella worth it?
Pro: Rocking Aussie Band All the Girls (And Some Guys) Want to Bone [Tame Impala]
Tame Impala is back after a brief hiatus from their 2012 "Lonerism" album, and word on the music highway is that they've got new music brewing for one of 2015's anticipated albums. These guys will offer one of the last remaining psychedelic rock experiences of the festival with more of the electronic music taking over.
Con: Aussie Rock Band Too Old to Get It Up, Let Alone Play More Than Eight Songs [AC/DC]
Apparently seniority is taking the reigns this year, as some of the better smaller bands are getting pushed to smaller fonts because someone had the foresight to call up AC/DC, or what might be referred to as the morning breath following the afterglow. With one member out due to serious illness and another in trouble with murder and meth, lead singer Brian Johnson says the show will go on, but for how many minutes before one of them has a stroke? Drummer Phil Rudd claims, "We'll all have to be dead before it stops." Sounds about right, Phil. Oh, and don't forget Steely Dan. Viagra will be the new ecstasy this year!
Pro: Underrated Best Band of the Festival [The War on Drugs]
You'd be best off going to see The War on Drugs -- sans Kurt Vile -- who had arguably one of the best records of 2014. With an energetic, groovy twist on a young Bob Dylan, the boys continue in support of their impressive offering of last year's "Lost in the Dream."
Con: Overhyped Jackass With A Microphone [Drake]
Everyone will want to see Drake, but just pray he's not going on at the same time as Ryan Adams, Fitz & The Tantrums or Brand New. If fact, you'll likely miss out on something better if you see Drake, who is expected to make weird faces while vomiting into a microphone, when you could be watching anyone else, anyone at all. Standing in a four hundred deep line to the porta-potties would be a better life experience.
Pro: Renowned Guitarist Too Pale for the California Sun [Jack White]
The Coachella sun is not for everyone, especially the pasty skin of the ghostly Jack White, but more importantly, Canadians (see below). Expect Jack White to take over at night with his vintage amps, electric sneeze and new music from his latest "Lazaretto," but don't be surprised if he busts out some White Stripes music therein. You should be so lucky.
Con: Canadian Who Won't Be Invited Back [The Weeknd]
And don't be surprised when you hear new music from across-the-border faces like The Weeknd, a young Abel Tesfaye trying to bring some R&B to the "Chella-shere." I just made that up, and it's awesome. Abel has music in the new "Fifty Shades of Grey," a big movie for the ladies this year, along with expected new music since his 2013 "Kiss Land."
Pro: Songwriters Too Good for This Many People at Once [Ryan Adams, Father John Misty]
Don't let Jenny Lewis and the pretty ladies take you away from seeing great rock acts though, like Mandy Moore's man Ryan Adams or Josh Tillman's Father John Misty. Adams will dish out some electric rock from possibly one of his best solo albums, and Tillman is back with one of the most anticipated albums of 2015, his follow-up record to 2012's "Fear Fun," called "I Love You, Honeybear," which will offer more than your everyday singer-songwriter, especially live.
Con: Beautiful Girl With Too Soft of a Voice for 2 Million Screaming Idiots [Jenny Lewis]
Last year was a lesson to the band bookers when Lana del Rey and Lorde brought their pretty faces and tiny voices to the big stage. They stilled booked some killer lady acts like Jenny Lewis, who opened for Ryan Adams last year. She's still in support of her latest record from last year, "The Voyager," a colorful bit of music most people would enjoy. And Florence + The Machine falls somewhere in the middle of these two acts, so this is a win/win really.
Pro: One Man Transcending All the Drug Use Instrumentally [Tycho, Flying Lotus]
There is a fine line between good and bad electronic and DJ'ed music. Most of it is just noise, but performances from artists like Tycho and Flying Lotus are something to write your prison pen-pal about. Check out songs from Tycho ("Awake") and Flying Lotus now. These guys bring a respectable new flavor to the festival music landscape.
Con: BEATS, BEATS, BEATS! [Alesso, Kaskade, Ghostface Killah]
As for the rest, judge for yourself. Alesso, Kaskade and Ghostface Killah are continuation of Coachella's attempt to adapt to the new music culture, moving in more dance party fun and moving rock 'n' roll to the back of the party bus. Each act had a new album they can still support from last year (Ghostface Killah - "36 Seasons, Kaskade - "I Remember," Alesso - "Heroes"), but just to be safe, bring ear plugs and sharpened pencils.
Pro: British Band Making Fun of America Before Performing, Maybe During [alt-J, Kasabian]
Two of the best bands to see in a live forum at this year's festival will easily be alt-J with their new music and a rare visit from Kasabian, essentially an upbeat Oasis on cocaine, err more cocaine. Not that they'll be high on drugs, but more in the sense that they'll bring a fresh, intoxicating breath to a very diverse festival that will leave you craving more until you're flat out offering sexual favors. Plus they'll probably do some drugs before going on. In addition to alt-J's new "This Is All Yours," Kasabian will boast their latest effort, "48:13," a quietly released experimental album that barely hits the states last year.
Con: Resurgent Punk Band Everyone Assumed Was Dead [Bad Religion]
Although we bag on old dudes trying to book it, Bad Religion will likely put on one hell of a show. The LA-based punk band hasn't put down their axes yet, and from the looks of the lineup, there is a good chance this is where the most banging will go on during the festival's entirety. The band is still putting out consistent music, so don't be baffled if these old fogies show you a thing or two about a good time.
The Verdict:
There's more than enough good music to go around at this year's festival, although they're not getting the spotlight this time around. The cons aren't nearly as bad as they could be, as we'll take Drake over Kanye, AC/DC over KISS and The Weeknd over having to hear Vampire Weekend play "A-Punk" again. Is it worth traveling hours into the desert and spending close to a grand for lodging and tickets while sweating your balls off into dehydration from all the drugs and lack of clean water? You bet your ass it is. It's Coachella! Get your tickets, available now.