Here is a brief write up on some of the "lesser known" acts performing at Coachella:
• TV on the Radio: This Brooklyn-based outfit performed two years ago at Coachella, but not as part of the festival itself. It headlined the URB Magazine after-party. This is a well-deserved nod by Tollett, and TVOTR proved its worth opening for Franz Ferdinand at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles last fall.
• Eagles of Death Metal: Josh Homme fronts this Queens of the Stone Age side project. The band's being on this bill seems appropriate -- even a bit of a homecoming -- given Homme's Inland Empire roots.
• The Rakes: Pegged by many critics as a younger, fresher, more proper Franz Ferdinand, they don't quite live up to that hype. But who could? Look for an energetic set from these newcomers to American soil, but also look for them to be outshined by their Scottish counterparts.
• Wolf Parade: Often described, accurately, as a mix of Modest Mouse and Arcade Fire, this Canadian collective is hit-and-miss live. Its Los Angeles show was panned by critics as being too stiff; its San Francisco show a couple of nights later was far too melancholy. Perhaps the group will find some inspiration in the desert.
• Gnarls Barkley: This new collaboration between vocalist Cee-Lo and DJ Danger Mouse makes its live debut at Coachella. They have a European tour already on the books and a record-breaking debut on the U.K. singles charts. But Coachella will test this pairing's on-stage presence.
• Editors: Well, Interpol isn't on the bill, and given how robotic those lads are onstage, this alternative is for the best. All signs point to polished liveliness from this British group. As a plus, a few songs in, you'll think you've discovered the outtakes from Interpol's ``Antics.''
• Wolfmother: Wolves, apparently, are all the rage these days. No ``Parade'' this time, though. Nevertheless, Tollett isn't the only one who's looking forward to seeing this retro-rock Australian trio. After a brief U.S. tour earlier this month, they're headed to the United Kingdom for a few stops, including a show in London just three days before Coachella. After the festival, it's back to Europe for more praise from the likes of NME and the rest of the British music press. And speaking of praise, the Los Angeles Times called Wolfmother's music ``the sort of music that inspires trouble.'' Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival When April 29-30