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Music and Concerts

Coachella is more than a music festival

It is also a learning experience. And because this was my first year attending the music and arts festival in the desert, I thought I’d compile a list of the top 10 things I learned at Coachella 2010.

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1. The desert is hot.

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2. A little barf won’t ruin a Phoenix concert. (After the guy next to me leaned over in the middle of the show and puked his guts outs, I contemplated leaving. But, like a true fan, he kept on rockin’ so I did too.)

3. Tweeting about that barf will get you written up in LA Weekly.

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4. Major Lazer can hype a crowd like no other. See exhibit A, which, I should warn you, isn’t exactly suitable for work.

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5. Icelandic is the world’s prettiest language. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand a word of it, when it’s sung by Jón Birgisson of Jonsi, it’s like watching doves fly under a rainbow on a summer morning.

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6. Wearing a New Kids on the Block t-shirt will make you new friends.

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7. Some bands will blow you away live. (I’ll see you in Vancouver, Temper Trap.)

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8. Others won’t. (Sorry, XX, I’ll buy your next album, but I’ll pass on your next show.)

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9. Canadian flags look out of place among palm trees.

10. Paris and Nicky Hilton are much prettier in person.

Have you been to Coachella? Are you going? 2011, anyone?

April 19, 2010 by

I was naive about Palm Springs

I had no idea how beautiful the landscape would be. What was I picturing? Flat lands and a million swimming pools. But now that I’m here, I’m in love. The desert, the mountains, the colour of the sky at sunset — it is so beautiful.

California desert

Which is why I am even more excited about Coachella.

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So what did I bring with me? This vintage, floral, fluttery number. Perfect for the desert, but it wasn’t always this way. Back in the day it was long. Like Rachel Zoe long. And it was gorgeous, but just too heavy to wear.

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But back to Coachella. Lexie, you were wondering which bands I am dying to see (and re-see)? Today it’s Yeasayer (who will be playing in Vancouver on April 21), Passion Pit (even though I just saw them on Sunday), the dance-tastic LCD Soundsystem, the one and only Jay Z and my boy Erlend of the Whitest Boy Alive.

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And because my husband loves them, we’re also going to see the way-too-heavy-for-my-taste Dillinger Escape Plan. But we won’t go anywhere near the front of the stage for this reason.

Man, I cannot wait.

First photo found here.

P.S. Add the Anthology on Facebook.

April 16, 2010 by

Miike Snow

Oh! Miike Snow. Their show the other night in Vancouver was so gat dang fantastic, they have me seriously considering re-seeing them at Coachella this weekend. Even though their set time conflicts with Phoenix.

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And you know how much I really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really,  really love Phoenix. (Coachella, you are cruel for pitting these two against each other.)

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But Swedish pop powerhouse Miike Snow put on the second-best show I’ve ever seen. (What was the best show, you ask? It’s a tie between !!! (Chk Chk Chk) and that Britney Spears show where she threw a tantrum and stormed off the stage.)

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So what do I do? Stand by my old love, Phoenix? Or ditch them for my new love? Help!

P.S. I’ll be tweeting my face off from Coachella. So follow me.

April 13, 2010 by

Coachella Ella Ella Eh Eh Eh

Heading to Coachella this week to dance my face off under the desert sun. So. Freaking. Excited.

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Because it’s always draws the most stylish crowd, I thought I’d pull together some favourite looks from Coachellas past.

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Like Allesandra Ambrosio, who is gorgeous from head to pirate-bootied toe.

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And Sienna Miller, who actually makes effortless chic look effortless.

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And this couple, because their boots match.

First image found here. Second image found here. Third image found here. Fourth image found here.

P.S. Follow the Anthology on Twitter.

April 11, 2010 by

Phoenix + Vancouver = <3 (that's a heart for those of you who don't speak emoticon)

My very favourite band in the whole wide world played the Orpheum as part of the Cultural Olympiad on Friday. And I’d like to think it was their most memorable show.

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Not because I was there sending them creepy superfan vibes, but because during the encore some 200 people stormed the stage, dancing and singing while the few security guards looked on, dumbfounded.

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And, good sports that they are, Phoenix kept on playing. It blew my mind.

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Where was I during this Phoenix love fest? Do you see that tiny little blur in the top left corner of the balcony? That’s me ):  (that’s a sad face).

The first photo is Phoenix’s, the second two are my sister’s.

January 24, 2010 by

How old fashioned

Going to the store and buying a CD — I don’t even remember the last time I did that (I’m an iTunes and eMusic kind of gal).

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But I couldn’t find a site that would let me download Neon Indian’s Psychic Chasms {legally} so I decided to do things the old-school way and marched my little self to Red Cat Records. (Picked up some tickets to Miike Snow and Appleseed Cast while I was there.) It was quite the musical moment.

Is this how our parents feel about records?

January 12, 2010 by

Forget the best and worst of 2009

I present to you the Anthology’s top ten most ridiculous moments of 2009. Oh what a year it was.

10. Most ridiculous 12 seconds of fame — Dancing on stage. On national television. Thank you, MTV Canada.

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9. Most ridiculous “before” shot — the mumu that one Anthology reader compared to a hospital gown.

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8. Most ridiculous poorly behaved beast — my cuddly, four-legged vehicle of destruction. If I had shots of the holes he chewed in our walls, I’d include those too.

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7. Most ridiculous matchy matchiness – me and my dad wear rad plaid. Is that really so bad?

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6. Most ridiculous water safety violation — diving head first into the Mediterranean. Never mind the fact that the water was about six feet deep.

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5. Most ridiculous concert — my favourite fantasy-themed electronic dance rock band the WZRDZ. And they’ll be playing more shows in Vancouver in 2010, friends!

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4. Most ridiculous place to set my camera’s timer and take a self-photo – Queen Elizabeth Theatre’s foyer. Have I no shame?

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3. Most ridiculous reason to be recognized — my eel skin purse. But I suppose that’s what I get for cropping my head out of every photo.

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2. Most ridiculous display of obsession — did I really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really need to write that many posts about Phoenix?

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1. Most ridiculous puppy paws — the baby beast. Honestly Leroy. How did you walk with those things?

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Here’s to an even more ridiculous 2010! Happy New Year!

December 31, 2009 by

“Hello, my name is MC. I am the Anthology’s husband.”

A guest post by my husband.

A few months ago I had a great idea.  I would write a “guest post” (as I understand these things are known in the blogosphere) about certain songs that I enjoy.  And this guest post would not be in the form of some cliche “top ten songs of 2009” thing, because it was September (or October maybe).  And then I forgot.  And now it’s the end of 2009 and I still haven’t done this super cool guest post.  So, without further ado…here are my top ten songs of 2009…

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10.  We Were Promised Jet Packs – It’s Thunder and It’s Lightning.  (i’m a sucker for a heavy scottish accent)
9.  the xx –  Heart Skipped a Beat (honestly i could have picked any song off this album.  mostly because they all sound identical. but good)
8. Phoenix – love like a sunset part I (no words, no problem.)
7. The Dodos – Troll Nacht (folksy. but not too folksy.)
6. Poison the Well – Antarctica Inside Me (this list needed something a touch heavier.)
5. Sigur Ros – Inní mér syngur vitleysingur (i’m also a sucker for icelandic songs that I can’t understand. and yes, I know this was released in 2008, but I didn’t do a list in 2008. so deal with it.)
4.  Phoenix – Lisztomania (everyone likes Phoenix. and everyone likes this song.  but I liked it before them.)
3.Cymbals Eat Guitars – And The Hazy Sea (the guitar at 3:40 will blow your skull.)
2. Passion Pit – Moth’s Wings (epic.)
1. Passion Pit – Make Light (yes, passion pit at number 2 and number 1.)

honourable mentions: japandroids – young hearts spark fire / jay-z – empire state of mind / phoenix – countdown / friendly fires – kiss of life

Thanks MC! I’d add Phoenix 1901 because I could play that song on repeat for.like.ever. And Miley Cyrus Party in the USA because the DJ is playing my song and I feel alriiiiight. Want to contribute to the Anthology? (Huzzah!) Send me an email at theanthology@live.com.

Photo by Joshua Bean.

December 31, 2009 by