Coachella 2024: Jon Batiste delivers uplifting set with guest appearance by Fireboy DML

It was nothing but good energy and uplifting music during Jon Batiste's set during Weekend 2 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

During Weekend 1, Batiste and the Britpop band Blur, who were performing at the same time (Blur on the Coachella Stage and Batiste next door at the Outdoor Theatre), saw less crowd reception after reports of Taylor Swift being in the wings of the Mojave tent during Bleachers' set. This time, people came in droves to dance and sing along with the Grammy Award-winning Batiste and his unique blend of funk, rock, R&B, blues and soul with African-style percussion.

Batiste and his "congregation of spiritual movers" performed on a stage featuring a tree in the middle, a clothesline on the left, a recording studio on the right and a large utility pole. The production screen matched the theme, with landscapes that meshed with the furnishings.

The set started with "Tell The Truth," a spirited classic R&B and rock 'n' roll tune, and was followed by the funky and melodic "Freedom." He was then joined on stage by Nigerian singer Fireboy DML for "Drink Water," which Batiste told everyone to do after the weather earlier in the day.

In the middle of the set, Batiste and his band performed a gospel and Dixieland cover of "When The Saints Go Marching In" before Batiste slowed things down with a piano solo and partial cover of The Beatles' "Golden Slumbers." Thousands of phone lights went up in the air during the song "Butterfly."

With only two minutes to spare, Batiste said he was going to enter the crowd parade-style, but performed in the lane between the security barriers in the middle that lead to the production tent.

Batiste's music was a crowd pleaser, but he was competing with other prominent performers during the same time slot such as Grimes, Bleachers and Blur. He also filled time in the middle of his 45-minute set with too many snippets and instrumental solos.

There was more to be desired, but much to appreciate.

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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: Coachella 2024: Jon Batiste delivers uplifting set, too many solos