The Verve rule Coachella Day 1

Maybe I've just come to Coachella too many times. Or maybe the bar for live bands was lowered while I wasn't looking or something, because there was a lot of "average" going on at the festival on Day 1. Ah, maybe I'm just still salty about the whole Aphex Twin debacle. Just DJing? Ugh. Seriously, Richard? You are so much better than that.

All the more reason to praise the spirit-lifting performance from '90s classic rockers the Verve. And yes, you read that right: classic rock. The epic, guitar-powered tunes this band has written are timeless, and should've made them the band from that decade that sold trillions of records even in America, and not those effing dork twins in Oasis (Noel and I official stopped being cool when he started talking smack about my brother Jay-Z).

They ran through all sorts of hits from their storied catalog: "Sonnet," "Weeping Willow," and the eternal "Lucky Man." How "Lucky Man" was never a huge, international hit is crazy. Were people just dumb in the '90s or what?

Still, the Verve will always have "Bittersweet Symphony," one of those incredible songs that never fails to give goosebumps with the swelling strings and Ashcroft's heartfelt lyrics. It was the big set-closer, and had even the casual observers waving their arms with the Verve diehards that were all over the place.

They did play two new songs (since "that's what this band is about," Ashcroft said from the stage). The first one was "Sit and Wonder," a rolling number that fits right along a majority of what the band has already done. But then they ended their set with another new song, this one more of a massive anthem in the line of "Bittersweet Symphony," only with a subtle electro edge and sped-up beat. Sadly, they didn't announce the title, but I'm confident it will show up on their upcoming album. Which means (hopefully!) a tour. I'd angling for a show or three at the Wiltern perhaps? Please and thank you!

—Scott T. Sterling