Seraphina Lotkhamnga on April 13th, 2014

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Who: Girl Talk on the Main Stage
In 3 or Fewer Words: “Live” shit show
Memorable Because: Gregg Gillis, the DJ who does mash-ups under the moniker Girl Talk, has played Coachella plenty of times before, and each time with a bigger stage. Finally landing a spot on the big stage, many wondered how exactly Gillis would proceed with just his laptops. Here’s how: Plant a couple of blow-up hands and sneakers, bring a crowd on stage to dance (some dancers were more awkward than others) and act like a toilet paper gun was the most amazing invention of all time and blast confetti, beach balls and balloons into the audience. All this was standard anticipation for a Girl Talk set (and yes, Gillis eventually ended up stripping his headband, hoodie and T-shirt), but there were two things that happened during this transformation to a more “live” show: First, and perhaps an unfortunate mistake on the video transmission crew’s part, the Jumbotons suddenly started broadcasting Bryan Ferry’s live set (which was happening across the field in the Mojave tent) a couple songs in. Lots of questions and concerns flew through the air: “Who’s this old guy?” and “I’m so confused!” Secondly, and the best preparation Gillis could have executed, a slew of hip-hop artists (Busta Rhymes, Juicy J, Too $hort, E-40) came out to incorporate live verses. Busta Rhymes may have only performed his 45-second verse from Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now,” but doing so over Arcade Fire’s “Wake Up” thrilled fans. Despite nothing original in any Girl Talk set in history, Gillis still wins every time by tapping into what this generation of fans require for a feel-good time: The hits and only the hits.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was At Flume: Yes, you may have had some original tunes, but it’s fun to witness some absolute nonsense sometimes.
– S.L. (Photo by David Brendan Hall)