It’s the start of a new year and with it comes new structure at Coachella Valley Music Festival. Last year it was announced the festival would be spread out between two weekends in April giving all those who wish to have gone another chance to attend and experience the rush of Coachella.

This year’s lineup was announced on Monday January 9, by promoter Goldenvoice, headliners are as follows: Friday April 13 & 20 The Black Keys, Saturday April 14 & 21 Radiohead, and Sunday April 15 & 22 Dr. Dre & Snoop Dog. 120 bands are expected to play over the two weeks with veteran bands like Arctic Monkeys, Mazzy Star, La Roux, GIRLS, and Calvin Harris. Newcomers to the festival that should be a performance well worth watching are Noel Gallagher’s high flying birds and Miike Snow, for those of you who enjoying great rock music with synthesized infused melodies. Other acts taking the stage are Grammy nominated artists like Florence + the Machine, Bon Iver and David guetta. But if you are a lover of dance electronic music and hip-hop then M83, SBTRKT, Girl Talk and upcoming artist, Azealia Banks who was voted number one on NME’s cool list should be able to feed your appetite.

Tickets for Coachella go on sale Friday January 13, 2012 and let me warn you first hand tickets for 1^st weekend are going fast, the remaining type of ticket for that weekend is the 3 day pass with a shuttle that will take you to the festival. There is no layaway option and is first come first served, and wristbands will be shipped to you in March. If you plan on attending this year, start breaking your piggy banks and dig under your couch because tickets are a bit pricey for the starving student and will go fast. So will the desert bloom for two weekends this year or will the magic of Coachella fade as first week passes by, until April we can only wonder.  For more information go to www.coachella.com