As we write this article, the last remaining whispers of Coachella 2024 are fading, crashing against the high peaks of the towering mountains that surround the desert valley from which they originate. Like every year, those murmurs span the entirety of the multi-genre festival, from Kid Cudi's fall (resulting in a broken foot) to the electrifying reunion of Orange County's own No Doubt.
However, as we look back at 'chella's most modern online moments, one thing stands out: the dominance of dance music.
Grimes-gate aside, look no further than the impressive renovation of the Empire Polo Club this year. The fan-favorite Do LaB was redesigned, the legendary Sahara was moved and expanded, and not to be outdone, the new Quasar stage rose from the ground like a mirage in the desert.
In addition to the Yuma tent, this means that Coachella's vast real estate space in Indio comprises four spaces dedicated exclusively to electronic dance music. In other words, half of the festival's total footprint.
The landscape of this legendary venue is spreading its arms, embracing the diverse soundscapes of dance music more than ever. For DJs and producers, the adoption of this once-niche genre is increasing their chances of performing at the historic Coachella.
From the extensive list of talented electronic artists who graced each of those four stages, we found three who embodied the spirit of the festival's changing scene. From newcomers to seasoned pros, this trio of tastemakers is here to share their Coachella stories.
REBUKE
Immediately after his awesome remix to deadmau5's iconic “Not Exactly,” Rebūke dove headfirst into the Yuma tent for his first Coachella performance.
Calling it a “celebration of five years of Rebūke,” the Irish DJ and producer has spent years preparing for this moment. Speaking of the monumental occasion, he said that “this particular show is a milestone for every artist, whether American or international.”
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After gaining notoriety with hits like “Along Came Polly” and his huge collaboration with Anyma, “Syren,” the melodic techno star has more than earned his place within the Yuma.
Having never attended the event, Rebūke relied on videos and photos of past festival moments to guide you on what to expect from this California staple.
“For me, Coachella is the American version of Glastonbury; that's what every European artist wants to do. This is a very important festival, not only for the fans but also for the music industry and music culture,” Rebūke told us. “From Daft Punk doing the pyramid in the past and Justice doing their thing now, this is all huge stuff and I'm excited to be involved in it.”
Azzeca
Another emerging DJ who made her first appearance inside the Empire Polo Club was Chicago's own Azzecca. Having attended the illustrious festival several times as a fan, she compares her Do LaB debut to being on cloud nine.
“Sometimes when you're a DJ, it feels like a tug of war,” Azzecca said. “But sometimes you're locked in with the crowd, it's fun for everyone involved and you can feel it. Today, both of my sets really felt like we were locked in and partying together and it was a lot of fun.”
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As fun as Azzecca's inaugural performance was, the gravity of the moment is not lost on him.
“I never would have imagined that I would be playing Coachella right now, or playing for the crowd I'm playing in front of now,” he adds. “Everything to me these days feels like a spike.”
Azzecca's consistency in his projects has earned him multiple spots at upcoming high-profile events, including EDC Las Vegas, Elements, and ARC Music Festivals. However, she still speaks highly of Indio's place.
“If you love music, not just dance music, but all different types of music, this is the pinnacle in America. Coachella is the best festival and if you can go, you should go.”
Will Clarke
For Will Clarke, who took to the Coachella decks in previous years, his 2024 acquisition of Yuma was approached with fewer nerves and a little more preparation. Added to that ease and preparation work was his familiarity with the performance space.
“Yuma is territory we're used to,” Clarke said. “It's a dark room with a lot of people in it and I'm lucky to play in a lot of those rooms. I think if I were playing at Sahara or one of the other big stages, the situation would be different.”
The task at hand would be daunting for some, but the UK house music veteran continued in earnest.
“What's the worst that could happen? You could press the wrong button, the music could go off and then you literally press another button and then it comes back on,” he adds. “I'm not here doing Grimes, like he knows how to DJ.”
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Although the greatness of Coachella is not lost on Clarke, the Bristol native's disassociation with the event stems primarily from his British upbringing.
“Growing up in the UK, you don't hear much about Coachella. And that's why I came here with everyone excited. “It's an amazing festival, but it hasn't been part of my childhood. “It's not something I've always admired.”
So what's Clarke's Coachella equivalent? Glastonbury.
“If I was playing at Glastonbury I'd be shitting my pants right now.”
In addition to commanding the dance floor with her single, Clarke has also led the way in extended conversations with her peers. His podcastwhich began in April 2020, has allowed him to speak candidly with revered artists such as Kaskade, Moby and A-Trak.
“The podcast comes from a place to talk to creatives, obviously mostly electronic artists and some in between,” he explains. “I think it's important to be able to have normal conversations in life, not just artist to artist, but in general.”
Emphasizing the need for a more human connection, Clarke explains her longing for dialogue in spaces outside of her normal work environment.
“This may sound strange, but I'm not a big fan of going to a club. I prefer to go to dinner and have a good conversation with people. For me, the conversation ends at the club or the bar.”
While a nightclub may not be the ideal place for a heart-to-heart conversation, it is a great place to discover new music. For Clarke, her latest track is out next week and will feature the House Gospel Choir. It's time to take us to church.
FOLLOW REBŪKE:
Instagram: instagram.com/rebukemusic
X: x.com/rebukemusic
Spotify: tinyurl.com/2p976k79
FOLLOW AZZECCA:
Instagram: instagram.com/azzecca
X: x.com/azzecca
Spotify: sptfy.com/Q1pg
FOLLOW WILL CLARKE:
Instagram: instagram.com/djwillclarke
X: x.com/djwillclarke
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/56fcbh5x
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