Before heading out of town for a long weekend, I wanted to make sure I had some good playlists at the ready in Spotify so I could rock out in the air and in my rental car.

I figured, what better way to spend the weekend than getting acquainted with Coachella 2012 artists? So I went down the Coachella lineup poster and added the “top hit” from (almost) every artist. Then I published the resulting playlist, “Coachella 2012: Top track from each artist,” so that you can listen in as well.

Judging from what made it onto the playlist from the artists I already know, it seems like those top hits — the popular tracks on Spotify — are more often recent hits as opposed to the enduring classics. So don’t expect to hear “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” from Dr. Dre, who’s headlining Sunday along with Snoop Dogg. His entry is last year’s “I Need a Doctor.”

And for some artists whose own albums aren’t included in the service, like The Weeknd, that top track ends up being a guest spot on someone else’s record. (The Weeknd, by the way, can thank Drake later for getting him on the playlist.)

Also, my apologies to Pure Filth Sound, Spector and The Airplane Boys, who I couldn’t find any tracks for in Spotify. If you can steer me in their direction on Spotify, drop me a line.

One last note: These tracks are my first introduction to most of these bands, so if you’re a die-hard fan of one that I’ve wronged by accidentally including a track from another artist with a similar-sounding name, email me to let me know that I’ve got the wrong Destructo or whoever.

The playlist is ordered as the poster is, with Friday bands first and headliners first within each day, so listen as is or put it on shuffle if you don’t exactly have nine hours to spare. Happy listening!