Caifanes & Café Tacvba and more: 5 shows to see in the Coachella Valley this week
Here are my picks for this weekend's can't-miss live performances in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities.
HOT PICK
Friday
Rock: Caifanes and Café Tacvba are two prominent Mexican rock bands that challenged the norms of the country's culture and politics during the '80s and '90s. Both bands will perform on Friday at Acrisure Arena as part of a co-headlining tour.
As gothic rock bands like The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Killing Joke had gained international popularity, Caifanes' style of wearing black clothing, make-up, and messy hair raised eyebrows in Mexico. Despite this, the band found success and influenced many Mexican rock bands.
Café Tacvba became one of Mexico's early acclaimed alternative bands, singing about environmental and social justice in its rock, folk, electronic and punk sound. In 1992, the band performed on the touring Lollapalooza festival in the U.S. and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2013.
If you go: 8 p.m. Friday, Acrisure Arena, 75-702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $79.50. acrisurearena.com/event/caifanes-cafe-tacvba
BEST BETS
Thursday
Comedy: Comedian Wanda Sykes has been entertaining audiences as a stand-up comic, writer, actress and producer for over two decades. She's been nominated for 17 Emmy Awards and has appeared in films such as "Snatched," "Monster-in-Law," "Evan Almighty" and more. She's the co-curator of the Netflix show "The Upshaws" and was on the writing team of "The Chris Rock Show."
Sykes will perform on Thursday at the McCallum Theatre. The show will be a phone-free event. All phones, smart watches, and accessories will be secured in individual Yondr pouches that will be opened at the end of the event.
If you go: 7 p.m. Thursday, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $76.99 to $164.99. mccallumtheatre.com
Friday
Alternative: Many probably don't remember the '90s alternative band Dada or its 1992 modest radio hit "Dizz Knee Land." The annoyingly catchy song is best known for repeating the line "now I'm going to Dizz Knee Land" several times. Dada broke up in 1999, reunited in 2003 and has since only recorded one album.
Outside of the band, guitarist and vocalist Michael Gurley has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Mick Taylor of The Rolling Stones and Stewart Copeland of The Police. He also wrote the themes to three Disney Channel shows and contributed music for the Nickelodeon show "SpongeBob SquarePants."
Dada will perform on Friday at Pappy and Harriet's.
If you go: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $30 to $40. pappyandharriets.com
Saturday
Funk: Before Lionel Richie released his 1982 debut album, he was already renowned as a member of the funk band The Commodores. Known for songs such as "Easy," "Machine Gun," "Lady (You Bring Me Up)" "Brick House" and many other hits, The Commodores are still going with members William King, drummer Walter Orange and vocalist J.D. Nicholas.
The Commodores will perform on Saturday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $30 to $100. aguacalientecasinos.com
Tribute: Soundgarden is a pillar of grunge rock and Seattle's music scene. Along with Nirvana and Pearl Jam, the band reached mainstream success with its heavy metal and punk sound. Sadly, frontman Chris Cornell died in 2017. But for fans who want to enjoy Soundgarden's music in a live setting, the tribute band Spoonmen will perform on Saturday in the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
If you go: 7 p.m. Saturday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. Free. fantasyspringsresort.com
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 5 shows to see in the Palm Springs area this week
