As it typically goes every year when the Coachella lineup is announced, the anticipation, rumors and hype leave room for some to be disappointed, and this year is no different. A number of critics have commented on the shrugs and yawns that came from the Stone Roses' Friday headlining spot, as well as the foiled talks that the Rolling Stones would be there.

But if you needed any reason to get excited about the bands that were slated on Thursday to play the festival, allow me.

Just from the standpoint of indie rock, the first night has a great stack of artists, all in a row. As far as I'm concerned, it all starts with Tegan and Sara, whose new record "Heartthrob" drops on Tuesday. Taking the stage after them is Band of Horses, coming off a tour after their latest record release from about four months ago. Down the line sits Local Natives, another band who has a record due out on Tuesday, immediately followed by Of Monsters and Men, who stopped by the Rialto last May. Japandroids, a newly discovered personal favorite, rounds out the start to a great weekend, and it's only Friday.

The rest of the festival doesn't have as tight a grouping of really solid acts as the first day, but there are still plenty of great artists scattered throughout, including Grizzly Bear, Two Door Cinema Club, the Airborne Toxic Event and the Gaslight Anthem. I also expect Rodriguez to see a huge turnout for his set, thanks largely to the spectacular documentary released last month about the folk singer's failed music career and its subsequent, epic revival.

So, while the Rolling Stones won't be making an appearance, there's still plenty to look forward to for the two weekends in Indio. Thanks to a presale that started less than a month after last year's festival was over, the general admission festival passes have long since sold out, so if you haven't picked up tickets yet (which you can try to do here), you'll have to either buy passes with a shuttle pass, or poke around eBay and pay an outrageous amount for someone else's profit. Regardless, depending on what acts you catch, the money could be worth every penny.