Kevin Bronson on April 18th, 2011

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Who: Suede in the Mojave Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Can’t get enough.
I’ll Remember This Until: Coachella’s next reunion act sounds this crisp and explosive, which may not be anytime soon. Even without original axeman Bernard Butler, the black-dressed Britpop legends – still the London Suede on this side of the pond – gave a 45-minute clinic on how guitar rock can still be sexy, urgent and even dangerous. Credit to frontman Brett Anderson, he of the cheekbones, who blared over Richard Oakes’ sharp riffs, bounded around the stage as if possessed and so convincingly inhabited hits such as “Filmstar,” “Animal Nitrate,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “Metal Mickey” and “Beautiful Ones” that you’d have though the ’90s were in bloom. Just as surprising was how right-off-the-vine Suede’s hybrid of glam and punk sounded – and as Anderson and mates delivered it concurrently to ears and loins of the denizens of the half-full tent (Empire of the Sun and the impending Arcade Fire set had drained all the but the dance tent), you wondered how Suede went away at all.
What I’d Tell my Friend Who Was at Raphael Saadiq: The was just a different sexy.
– K.B.
Photo by Scott Dudelson