Aotearoa’s indie-rock darlings The Beths are on a roll. Tans still fresh from their Coachella debut in sunny California, they received news of three nominations at this year’s Aotearoa Music Awards: Best Group, Best Album and Best Single for Watching The Credits.
Last month, as they took to the stage both weekends at the world-famous festival, they made sure they were prepared. “Today I woke up and was like ‘this is one of those days where you just tie your shoes real good’, you know?” drummer Tristan Deck told the crowd on the Friday night. Lead singer Liz Stokes (who wore Kowtow on-stage) agreed: “I tied my shoes real good”.
Performing hits like Expert In A Dying Field to a massive audience (Coachella has around 125,000 attendees per day), was a huge deal for the Auckland-based band, as was sharing the atmosphere with big names like Lana Del Rey, No Doubt and Tyler the Creator.
Armed with a camera, a roll of film and our brief for a ‘backstage photo diary,’ The Beths' Liz Stokes, Tristan Deck, Jonathan Pearce and Benjamin Sinclair share a behind-the-scenes look of an unforgettable day one at Coachella.
In the van at 8am Friday morning to get to soundcheck. An early morning softened by a stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
Jonathan, Gabe (our sound engineer) and Ben lining our gear up to be transported to stage by an approved vehicle.
Festival crew and stagehands help us get everything onstage for soundcheck. We had from 10am - 10:45am to set up and check, then cleared the stage until our set at 5pm.
Tristan's handsome C&C drum kit against our ocean backdrop video: an hour long single shot of Piha at sunset.
Jonathan enjoys a quick soundcheck snack, around 10am. Don't forget to eat!
Liz probably saying 'Check 1 2' into the large empty Sonora tent. Sonora is the only fully enclosed stage at Coachella, and thus has the luxury of air conditioning.
Ben playing his signature soundcheck riff that we all love.
Our stage prop, the giant inflatable fish that graces our album cover, looking decidedly unphotogenic midway through test inflation.
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Soundcheck completed. Tristan and Jon have a quick rest outside our trailer green room before lunch. Our one says 'the beths' on the door.
The festival area is huge. A fleet of golf carts is employed to get artists and crew around using the backstage road system. At peak times it's hard to get one, but Tristan, Ben and Liz enjoy a sunny ride to the catering area here.
Liz with important information signage about dogs.
Jon, Liz, Tristan and Ben take advantage of the self-timer and some well placed blossoms. Liz has changed into her nice Kowtow 'Petal; shirt, ready for the show.
Back in the trailer. Liz leans over her small kettle, steaming her vocal chords and warming up.
Jonathan, Ben and Tristan rudely interrupt Liz's dry shampoo application for a mirror selfie right before showtime.
Tristan, Jon and Ben bask in post show sun with our booking agent, Marshall.
Friday night and the job is done! We are now free to roam and enjoy the festival. White skirts and cowboy boots abound, and the crowd swells for Sabrina Carpenter's set.
