Coachella: Friendly Fires belt out urgent dance rock

Photo by Count Crakula

Much in the same vein as 120 Days, MGMT and LCD Soundsystem, Britain’s Friendly Fires take electronica’s rhythmic psychedelia into the rock idiom. Only these young cats give the dance rock phenomena a decidedly upbeat, more romantic feel. Their self-titled debut album was apparently recorded using a laptop. And just like 120 Days, their live show is far better than their album recordings.

I attended Coachella on Sunday and I almost missed Friendly Fires, who played early. I’m glad I caught them. For me they were one of the revelations of the day, further evidence that techno and acid house have reset the DNA of rock ‘n’ roll. Soaring, grooving and joyous, the Friendly Fires whipped through extended versions of their underground hits “Photobooth” and “Jump in the Pool,” ending with their little anthem, “Paris.” The crowd ate it up, everyone levitating a couple inches off the ground, feet and heads shuffling to the beat.

I’ll wager that the first producer to capture the hypnotic power of 120 Days or Friendly Fires will start the next music avalanche. It’s only a matter of time before this stuff gets into everybody’s blood. Thanks to rock, thanks to electronica.