St. Paul & the Broken Bones transform Coachella into Soul-chella

The way that Charles Bradley brought the soul on Friday, Alabama’s St. Paul & the Broken Bones brought more of it in spades early on Saturday afternoon at Coachella. With impressive horns and drums and piano behind him, Paul Janeway’s vocals were a great reward for those early risers who were nursing massive hangovers. Janeway’s vocal […]

by Sandra B. Olinger

April 12, 2015

The way that Charles Bradley brought the soul on Friday, Alabama’s St. Paul & the Broken Bones brought more of it in spades early on Saturday afternoon at Coachella.

With impressive horns and drums and piano behind him, Paul Janeway’s vocals were a great reward for those early risers who were nursing massive hangovers.

Janeway’s vocal prowess is matched by his on-stage charisma. He makes his audience feel as though they’re taking in an important sermon that’s going to carry them through the rest of the week. Janeway preached a bit in between sets, thanking those for making it to their inaugural Coachella, noting he attended as a fan back in 2008.

St. Paul & the Broken Bones dialed it back enough before sending things into overdrive with “Call Me.” Though it came early in the day, you were hard pressed to find as much spirit as was encapsulated in their set. They’ll be a festival favorite for many years to come.

Words: Mark E. Ortega

Photography: Monique Hernandez