They made waves at Coachella: these artists’ new releases will be our summer playlist.

Kurt Vile, Wakin on a Pretty Daze

Compared to the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, this longhaired rocker brings rock and roll back to its basics: just a man and his guitar. It turns out that’s all we really need.

James Blake, Overgrown

With his angelic voice, James Blake seduced Coachella goers into a late afternoon trance. This dub-step wunderkind’s second album features surprising cameos by RZA, proving once more that hip hip goes with just about anything.

Daft Punk, Random Access Memories

The 2-minute trailer shown at Coachella for the new single “Get Lucky,” featuring Pharrell Williams, created more cheers and buzz than any of the festival performers, spawning rumours of the French duo’s surprise appearance. It didn’t happen - sigh - but until the album’s May 21 release, it’s “Get Lucky” on repeat.

Major Lazer, Free the Universe

Released in between two Coachella weekends, Major Lazer’s sophomore album, Free the Universe, which features, oh, everybody (Tyga, Flux Pavilion, Bruno Mars, Wyclef Jean, to name a few), is bound to make nightclubbing rounds this season.

Janelle Monáe, The Electric Lady

The newest Cover Girl gave a performance of a lifetime at Coachella, and just released the single “Q.U.E.E.N." with the incomparable Erykah Badu. Her long anticipated album, The Electric Lady, is slated for a summer release, and sure to make her a household name.

—Anya Georgijevic

For more Coachella acts, check out a playlist by Kelsey Dundon, click here.

Jurassic 5 will be bring the nostalgia, Phoenix will bring their new album, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will bring, one can only hope, socks. What will you bring to Coachella? A playlist made up of these five favourites.

Wild Nothing

Theirs is the kind of 1980’s-influenced music Sofia Coppola would put on a soundtrack. And speaking of stars, their video for Paradise features Michelle Williams. www.myspace.com/wildnothing

Jamie xx

His group The xx will be at the festival, but Jamie xx’s solo work leans toward more upbeat dinner party-worthy tunes. www.jamiexx.com

Ben Howard

For something even more laid-back, this British singer-songwriter’s guitar-heavy sound is perfect for backyard BBQs. www.benhowardmusic.co.uk

Purity Ring

This Canadian duo is beloved by critics. And for good reason. They’re like a more relaxed, more listenable Crystal Castles. http://purityringsongs.com

Grimes

The Vancouver native’s album topped many “best of” lists last year. If you haven’t yet been playing pop-y synth-y Visions on repeat, now’s the perfect time to start.
www.grimesmusic.com

—Kelsey Dundon

PS: Our Vancouver editor Anya Georgijevic will be blogging, tweeting and instagramming her way through the first weekend of the festival. Watch this space for all the denim cut-offs you can handle.

Indoors or outdoors, in venues big or small, music is always best served live. Packed with artists coming soon to our pretty city, this playlist will put you in the mood to groove. –Kelsey Dundon

“When I’m with You” -- Best Coast, May 23 at Biltmore

“Minnesota, WI” -- Bon Iver, May 25 at Deer Lake Park

“Disparate Youth” – Santigold, May 26 at the Commodore

“Thank You Space Expert” – Mogwai, May 29 at the Commodore

“Main Street” – Deer Tick, May 30 at the Commodore

“Love Lost” – Temper Trap, June 19 at Malkin Bowl

“Kiara” – Bonobo (DJ set), July 26 at Fortune Sound Club

“Shake it Out” -- Florence and the Machine, July 20 at Deer Lake

“Feel Love” – Ben Harper, July 4 at PNE Amphitheatre

“Elephant Gun” – Beirut, July 28 at the Orpheum

The sounds of spring couldn’t be more varied. Or refreshing.

Saul Williams
Wednesday, March 14th at Fortune Sound Club
Slam poet, musician, actor – there’s little this award-winning artist isn’t. With performances as highly charged as his lyrics, Saul Williams puts on one heckuva show. Tickets $18.00, Fortune Sound Club, 147 East Pender St., Vancouver, 604-569-1758, www.fortunesoundclub.com

Damien Jurado
Saturday, April 21 at the Biltmore
Following last month’s release of his newest album Maraqopa, prolific singer/songwriter Damien Jurado brings his folk rock from one rainy city (Seattle) to another. Tickets $13.00, Biltmore, 2755 Prince Edward, Vancouver, 604-676-0541, www.biltmorecabaret.com

The Drums
Tuesday, May 8th at Venue
Though they’re from Brooklyn, with songs like “Let’s Go Surfing” and “Days” the Drums couldn’t sound more California. Tickets $17, Venue, 881 Granville St. Vancouver, 604-646-0064, www.venuelive.ca

Active Child and Tycho
Friday, May 25th at the Electric Owl
Co-headlined by Tycho,  whose sound is synth-fully sweet, and ActiveChild, whose vocal range is reminiscent of Bon Iver and The Weeknd, this show is an electronica-lover’s dream. Tickets $16, Electric Owl,928 Main St., Vancouver, 604-558-0928, www.electricowl.ca

Coeur de Pirate
Sunday, May 27th at Venue,
This Montreal songstress may have the heart of a buccaneer, but Coeur de Pirate’s  piano-based sound is enchanting. Tickets $20.00, Venue, 881 Granville St. Vancouver, 604-646-0064, www.venuelive.ca —Kelsey Dundon

How do you make whoopee West Coast-style? Well, you could leave on your socks and Birkenstocks. Or you could put these local artists’ tunes on your playlist. Either way you’ll have a very Vancouver V-Day.

Teen Daze – Brooklyn Sunburn

Gang Signs – Prequel

Brasstronaut – Opportunity (No Gold Remix)

Cyclist and Pat Lok’s remix of The Rapture’s "How Deep is Your Love"

Humans – Clothespins

Bryan Adams – All for Love

No Sinner – Call My Name

Dan Mangan – Daffodil

Sarah McLachlan – Ice Cream

Said the Whale – Goodnight Moon

—Kelsey Dundon

They’re new but you’d never know it.

No Sinner hasn’t even release their EP yet (it’ll drop in March) and already they seem poised for great things. Led by a husky-voiced powerhouse of a lead singer, their sound is big, blues-y, and Janis Joplin-esque. In fact, you’d never guess No Sinner was from Vancouver, until you watched the video for “Boo Hoo Hoo” which features one of the city’s most famous landmarks: the Waldorf Hotel. And speaking ofVancouver’s iconic landmarks, No Sinner is playing the Biltmore on Friday.

Can’t say no to that. —Kelsey Dundon

No Sinner, Friday, February 3rd at the Biltmore, tickets ($10) at www.ticketweb.ca

Our running playlist is all ready to go, but now it’s time to muffle all that unnecessary ambient noise.

The happy coloured Urbanears make for an ideal gym partner, whether one prefers classic headsets like Plattan ($69.99) or tiny earplugs like Bagis ($39.99). Both are noise-cancelling with a TPE cord eliminating sound distortions caused by friction, so we can run as hard as we want while eliminating the constant chitter-chatter coming from our gym mates. Workout serenity. — Anya Georgijevic

At Homewerx, 2928 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-733-2203 or 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca, and Walrus, 3408 Cambie St., Vancouver, 604-874-9770, www.walrushome.com

Finally! The day has come when we can blast the Ghostbusters theme song on repeat! But that’s not the only frightfully good tune we’ll be listening to as we scarf down hand out candy tonight…

"This is Halloween" from the Nightmare Before Christmas

"Monster Mash" by Bobby “Boris” Pickett

"Somebody’s Watching Me" by Rockwell

"A Nightmare on My Street" DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Twilight Zone" by Manhattan Transfer

"I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow

"Addams Groove" by MC Hammer

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson

"X-Files Theme" by Mark Ayres

"I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins 

—Kelsey Dundon

Dance-pop group Friendly Fires seems to love Vancouver as much as we love them.

The British band was here less than six months ago, and on Tuesday the trio will headline the crown jewel of the local music scene: the Commodore. Their very fun brand of bright, shiny dance-pop makes their live shows a blast. Check out "Blue Cassette" and you’ll understand why we’ve already put on our dance pants.

Now, what to wear with them? —Kelsey Dundon

Tickets at Ticketmaster and Red Cat Records

We’ll head indoors eventually.

But not until we’ve attended almost every outdoor concert we possibly can. One of the last this season will be Canada’s own Broken Social Scene, who will perform at Stanley Park’s quaint Malkin Bowl on Saturday, September 24. If we may put in one request, it’s that the Toronto-based indie supergroup play All to All (it was one of our favourite performances at Coachella this year).

Until then, we’ll be listening to it on repeat.
—Kelsey Dundon