Coachell 2009 Line-up announced

[€uroMeinke]

Here it is:

[Kevy Baby]

I will admit to never having to been to Coachella, but Paul McCartney just stands out like a sore thumb.

Don't get me wrong, I LIKE Paul McCartney, but that seems akin to have Rob Zombie play at a Christian music festival.

Should be interesting.

[Snowflake]

I'm reminded every year just how out of the loop I am musically when I look at the lineup. Though I do see some familiar names (not not just McCartney).

I love some of the band names!

Hey GC, can you make a trip back to see Miss Winehouse?

[Capt Jack]

I went last year. dont let that bother you snowy. I knew maybe one or two names that were playing. it was still awesome. wish I could afford to go again

[Ghoulish Delight]

I will admit to never having to been to Coachella, but Paul McCartney just stands out like a sore thumb.Roger Waters was a HUGE highlight of last year's show.

Band that have me excited:
Conor Oberst
Black Keys
Ghostland Observatory
Crystal Method
M. Ward (sort of)
Fleet Foxes!
Dr. Dog!
Blitzen Trapper
Peter Bjorn & John
X
Groove Armada

Peppered across all 3 days, of course. I don't know what's going on with work and vacation time. As a cost cutting measure they've said they will be revising vacation accrual, possibly suspending any new accrual. We won't lose any time we already have, but it makes me hesitant to take days off. But then, I've got quite a bit saved off, so a day or two isn't huge or anything.

Shepard Fairey is listed, the guy who did the Obama poster. Wonder if he's got a music act, or if he'll just have art there.

[mousepod]

Throbbing Gristle! Cool.

[Alex]

Wow, good year for me. I've heard of

Paul McCartney - I've actually seen him in concert.
Morrissey
Franz Ferdninand - Though I may be thinking of the Disney bull.
Leonard Cohen
The Crystal Method - But only from singing their name in the credits the theme song for Bones.
The Killers - I think they performed on SNL earlier this year in one of the about 18 minutes total I watched all season. It was embarrassingly awful in my opinion.
Amy Winehouse - Don't know much about her music just her scandals.
Henry Rollins - But only from movies and his show (is it still on?) on TMC (I think).
The Cure
Public Enemy - Assuming it is the same public enemy. Aren't they a bit old to be plotting the murder of policemen?

I'm sure that this long list compared to other years is a sign that the festival has completely sold out and gone irretrievably mainstream.

[Betty]

So - what's the deal with Coachella? We go off roading in the area - but I've never been to the gig.

How does it work?

[Ghoulish Delight]

It's a 3 day event at the polo fields. You can buy tickets to all 3 days, or just single days. There are 2 large outdoor stages, and 3 huge tent stages. Bands are playing constantly. Sets are usually between 30-40 minutes, and set times are staggered between that stage, so even if a couple bands overlap set times you can usually catch half of each. There's tons of large-scale art installations, and tons of awesome people.

Here are some photos of last year's:

http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+1/&var2=0
http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+2/&var2=0
http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+3/&var2=0

[Capt Jack]

Amy has a very decent voice. its just that her scandals seem to be drawing attention away from her (remaining?) talents

[Betty]

It's a 3 day event at the polo fields. You can buy tickets to all 3 days, or just single days. There are 2 large outdoor stages, and 3 huge tent stages. Bands are playing constantly. Sets are usually between 30-40 minutes, and set times are staggered between that stage, so even if a couple bands overlap set times you can usually catch half of each. There's tons of large-scale art installations, and tons of awesome people.

Here are some photos of last year's:

http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+1/&var2=0
http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+2/&var2=0
http://jenniegreg.com/Gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=Coachella+2008+Day+3/&var2=0

That looks kewl - and like it was a very hot day as well.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hot is indeed a guarantee for Coachella. Some people are hoping that since it's a week earlier than usual it might mean better weather, but I know better.

But you learn to manage. Drink water, take your time. It definitely helps to do what we did last year, which was stay at the rental house, swimming, until midday, THEN head to the show. If you arrive ~1 or 2PM, you've already hit the peak temperature for the day, so it just gets cooler from there.

[Capt Jack]

the occasional collapse under a sprinkler never hurts either. :D

[Drince88]

Is it earlier this year? I thought it was the same time as Jazzfest (http://www.nojazzfest.com/) which is the last weekend of April and first weekend of May (3 days first weekend, 4 days second)

ETA: Never mind - question answered while I was trying to find the URL

[Ghoulish Delight]

the occasional collapse under a sprinkler never hurts either. :D
Or a stint in the DoLab world of water spraying.

[Not Afraid]

Throbbing Gristle! Cool.

Yeah, of the line up this is one of the only bands I'll be sad to miss. I saw them in 1981 in Culver City (with Vox Pop and SWA) and it was one of the LOUDEST shows I've ever been to. They never really toured much in the US so it was the only time I saw them.

Leonard Cohen is the other person I'm very sad to be missing. He's a GOD and I've never seen him live. Maybe this means he has un-sequestered himself and will do more live shows.

Other than those 2, there are bands I would like to see again but nothing that makes me really regret missing it this year. I'm grateful for that because, rumor had it that David Bowie was going to be performing as Ziggy Stardust.

[Snowflake]

I heart David Bowie. Really.

[lashbear]

Stoat & I saw Bowie in Sydney and yes, he did Ziggy Stardust, (but not dressed as same)

He waved to us !!!

[Morrigoon]

One of these years I'm going to get it together and join you guys at this. Last year it looked like so much fun!

(Alas, not in the cards this year)

[Kevy Baby]

Roger Waters was a HUGE highlight of last year's show.I would put Roger Waters in a VERY different classification than Paul McCartney.

ETA: Don't read my statements as anything other than a trivial observation. I would love to go to Coachella and I would love to see Paul McCartney. I would actually be very interested in seeing what Paul does at Coachella.

I heart David Bowie. Really.I club him.

And I spade my dog.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I would put Roger Waters in a VERY different classification than Paul McCartney.
In what way, exactly?

[innerSpaceman]

In the way that Roger Waters is known for the gritty and cynical side of Pink Floyd, a band with a psychedelic stamp.

Paul McCartney is known for the fluffy popsicle side of The Beatles, and for his ultra fluffy cherry popsicle solo career which followed.

Both are pretty mainstream and uberfamous for Coachella, but McCartney seems a little too pop-oriented for the venue (in my never-actually-been-to-Coachella opinion of outsiderdom).



Trivia re both artists: Pink Floyd recorded their first album at Abbey Road studios, across the hall from where The Beatles were at the same moment recording a little LP called "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band."

[Prudence]

We probably won't be able to afford it, or at most will only be able to do one day, but I requested time off work regardless. If there are others going for a particular day, please post about it. We know almost none of the bands, so we'd just be randomly picking a day most likely.

[Prudence]

So.....how hot is hot?

[Alex]

Hot like nothing you can imagine in Seattle.

The historical average high for Coachella on April 17 is 89 degrees and the record high is 107. And it'll probably feel hotter.

[Gemini Cricket]

Snowflake ~ I totally wish I could go. Would love to see her. But I don't think it's possible, darn it.

[Capt Jack]

So.....how hot is hot?

not horrid when we were there. yeah, the sun was blazing but prob mid to high 90's at the peak. mayyyybe got to 100 at the top end. lots of places to escape it. I fell asleep under the steampunk tree for a bit. if youre smart about it and have any experience in coping with desert heat, it wasnt terrible.

best advice, carry water and wear a good shady hat (ie...NOT a ballcap, unless you like your ears well-done)

[€uroMeinke]

Other than those 2, there are bands I would like to see again but nothing that makes me really regret missing it this year. I'm grateful for that because, rumor had it that David Bowie was going to be performing as Ziggy Stardust.

Be careful, the past few years Coachella has been introducing headliners later in the the schedule - like after one of the sets of single day tickets sell out. Bowie was definitely approached (he has been in the past) so there's certainly a chance of someone else being added to the roster that will tear our hearts - Roxy Music with Eno?

I wait with caution

[lashbear]

Oh.

[LashStoat]

What Bear said.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

In the way that Roger Waters is known for the gritty and cynical side of Pink Floyd, a band with a psychedelic stamp.

Paul McCartney is known for the fluffy popsicle side of The Beatles, and for his ultra fluffy cherry popsicle solo career which followed.

Both are pretty mainstream and uberfamous for Coachella, but McCartney seems a little too pop-oriented for the venue (in my never-actually-been-to-Coachella opinion of outsiderdom).
Where does Prince fall in the spectrum? He headlined last year. Or the Red Hot Chili Peppers who have headlined a few times? I really don't have a big "they don't belong in Coachella" chip on my shoulder. I'd be up for seeing Paul, even if it was just so I could lay eyes on the man and hang around for a few classics.

I'm excited about Fleet Foxes, Crystal Method, Peter Bjorn & John, seeing Ghostland again....but mostly excited about the bands I have never heard and will undoubtedly discover at this event, as I do every time I go.

[€uroMeinke]

Hey Madonna came to Coachella - anything is possible

[Alex]

Anything? Even a Yanni/John Tesh set?

[innerSpaceman]

No, no, it's not a chip. It's just really Paul McCartney is so fluffy imo, he just sorta stood out as, ya know, like America Sings in Tomorrowland.

Madonna did, too, btw. I'm not knocking that. I'd love seeing either of them. Just a little too PoP for what I consider a more gritty music festival ... with the admitted caveat that I'vE NeVEr BeeN to IT!!!


So Paul doesn't belong at my IMAGINARY Coachella. I leave it to you with vast experience to determine his appropriateness at the real thing.



Just to be clear, I heart Paul McCartney. He's a freaking BEATLE.

[Kevy Baby]

In the way that Roger Waters is known for the gritty and cynical side of Pink Floyd, a band with a psychedelic stamp.

Paul McCartney is known for the fluffy popsicle side of The Beatles, and for his ultra fluffy cherry popsicle solo career which followed.

Both are pretty mainstream and uberfamous for Coachella, but McCartney seems a little too pop-oriented for the venue (in my never-actually-been-to-Coachella opinion of outsiderdom).It's a rarity, but I wholeheartedly agree with iSm including the post above about loving Paul and wanting to see him.

[CoasterMatt]

The Crystal Method are downright nice guys, too.

I thought this was gonna be the year I'd get to Coachella, but I'm probably more likely to get back to Burning Man :D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Dig, iSm. That's pretty much the same way I feel about it.

Anything? Even a Yanni/John Tesh set?Sure, it's possible. And if it happened, I'd just go to another stage, or take a food break (far away).

I think what is hard to get unless you go is that there are five stages, 2 of which are gigantic outdoor craziness, and 3 tents, one of which also qualifies as gigantic (2 are merely Huge, I suppose). There are also booths for stuff, booths for food, beer gardens, enormous art installations, water stations, and acres of space in between. It's easy to get away from a certain set and go find something else, and when you get to that destination stage, it's like you've entered another arena, with its own fans, its own style, its own vibe.

Even when the main stage has freaking Roger Waters or Prince and a gajillion people going nuts, you can run to the other side of the fields and not hear that anymore (which is insane considering the loudness of it), and there are still thousands of other people to bump into and dance with to some other completely different scene. It's like going to the other side of the world.

So yeah.

[Not Afraid]

Willie Nelson was there last year (or the year before - they all blend together these days).


As for the heat - it's been as hot at 104 and as cool as 95 - if you consider 95 cool.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Willie was a couple years ago. But that had a specific marketing reason, they were trying to get some crossover between Coachella and the Stage Coach Festival.

We've finally made up our minds, we're going. Found a good deal on a hotel suite w/kitchen. It won't be quite as decadent as the house rental last year, but finances are tighter and the price was right. It's an Extended Stay America. I know the location, seen the hotel driving past, looks like a nice enough place to sleep and cook breakfast in.

I'm hoping that by us covering the cost of accommodations my sister will be able to join us. She's been unemployed for a couple of months and with a 1 year old is obviously watching expenses. Since we'd be staying in the hotel either way, it's no skin off our teeth to let her have the sofa bed, and would be much more fun to have her along.

Now all we have to do is buy tickets. I'm expecting they won't sell out by Sunday, so to save the price of an official Coachella t-shirt, we're probably going to swing by Fingerprints in Long Beach to buy tickets instead of giving TicketFvcker money.

I'm just about through my first pass on Friday's lineup. I'm keeping track of acts I like and don't like with a color-coded spread sheet. I'm already confused.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm keeping track of acts I like and don't like with a color-coded spread sheet. I'm already confused.And you're a geek :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

And you're a geek :D
No, just someone with enough Coachella experience to know that if I don't keep track somehow I'll just be going through the lineup over and over and over and over trying to remember what I liked and what I didn't.

[€uroMeinke]

I fully endorse the color-coded spreadsheet methodology - I also add a column for brief descriptive comments to help me remember what I liked or didn't like

[tracilicious]

There's a good chance that I (and possibly Zack) will be there. I love the lineup this year.

[Capt Jack]

There's a good chance that I (and possibly Zack) will be there. I love the lineup this year.

ok, now I really AM bummed Im not going....

[CoasterMatt]

Now if they can just get Bon Jovi to play this festival...

[lashbear]

or ABBA !

[Alex]

Or Elmo!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Now if they can just get Bon Jovi to play this festival...

or ABBA !

Or Elmo!Hmm, ABBA as headliner might be fun, at least for a few songs.

If I had to choose between Bon Jovi and Elmo, I'd go see Bon Jovi. That's how much I hate f'n Elmo. :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

I fully endorse the color-coded spreadsheet methodology - I also add a column for brief descriptive comments to help me remember what I liked or didn't like
Yeah, I was already thinking that I'd do a 2nd pass and add some detail about the kind of music each one is.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I have nothing to judge the likelihood of this, but in researching acts I've noticed that there's an outside chance that Neil Young might show up. "Booker T" is an old blue musician who has just released his first album in 20 years. An album in which Neil Young was heavily involved. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but stranger things have happened at Coachella.

I'm not particularly a fan of Young's music, but I recognize his talent, and the fact that he's pretty much a legend, so I'd definitely keep my eye on when Booker T is playing and wander that way.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm not particularly a fan of Young's music, but I recognize his talent...Neil Young is a bit of a conundrum for me. I greatly admire his songwriting talent, but his voice makes my skin crawl. There are a couple of his songs (him singing) I will listen to, but for the most part, nuh uh!

[€uroMeinke]

Neil Young is still heavily rumored as a potential late addition headliner

[Ghoulish Delight]

That's what I said! :p

[Drince88]

Don't hold your breath for Bon Jovi - they were just added to JazzFest (on the ONE day I absolutely can't go!)

[€uroMeinke]

So Coachella's going to be featured in California Gold with Huell Howser:

California's Gold


http://coachella.com/images/calgold.jpg

We are very excited to announce the dates of the upcoming California's Gold episode dedicated to last year's Coachella Festival. California's Gold (http://www.calgold.com/) has highlighted the states rich history, cultural diversity, natural wonders, and its amazing people for the past 17 years.

Huell made his way around the festival for 2 solid days and condensed his experience into this 1 hour special episode of California's Gold (http://www.calgold.com/).

The premiere on KCET (http://www.kcet.org/) (greater Los Angeles / Southern California Area) will be SUNDAY, APRIL 5 at 7:00 PM.

It will re-airs on KCET (http://www.kcet.org/) on SATURDAY, APRIL 11 at 7:00 PM

Other PBS affiliates also airing the Coachella episode:

KVCR (http://kvcr.org/) (Riverside / San Bernardino) -
Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 PM

KPBS (http://www.kpbs.org/) (San Diego) -
Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 PM

KVPT (http://www.kvpt.org/) (Fresno) -
Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 PM

KVIE (http://www.kvie.org/) (Sacramento) -
Thursday, April 2 at 8:00 PM Not sure how I feel about this, but I'll still want to watch it

[Disneyphile]

ROFLMAO!!!

Actually, I meant to say..... WOW! That's amazing!

Oh, I so have to watch. We're so programming the DVR for this one. :D

I can hear it now. "And, over here, we have something that should take me back to my childhood days of watching the circus. Let's check out Lucent Dossier...... oh, wow! That's amazing! That's certainly not how I remember the circus! It's like an all new circus! It's amazing!"

[Ghoulish Delight]

Iiiinteresting. I suppose I don't really care, I can't imagine there's going to be sudden influx of Huell Howser's demographic crowding the festival or anything.

I wonder if my parents will watch. Hahahahaha.

[Gemini Cricket]

I hear Amy backed out and is being replaced by M.I.A.

[€uroMeinke]

I hear Amy backed out and is being replaced by M.I.A.


Well, Amy couldn't get a Visa (assault charges this time I believe), and MIA has been added to the line-up

[Prudence]

Turns out my mom will be visiting Coachella that weekend, so we're officially out this year. Maybe next year the line-up will be more....inspired.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Turns out my mom will be visiting Coachella that weekend, so we're officially out this year. Maybe next year the line-up will be more....inspired.
Can't stress enough how generally inconsequential it is whether the headliners and the bands you know are attractive. At least 90% of my enjoyment comes from everything but.

[Not Afraid]

I'd give an ever higher number that 90%. I can't tell you how many years I've left before or during the headlining acts. However, I do find this year to be less inspiring that past years.

[Prudence]

I'm very picky about music. If there's not one act on the roster that I would pay money to see, then there's a good chance (based on experience) that I will end up not liking anything I see there. If there's one act I know I'm interested in, then I know I'll like at least one thing, and then I'm more inclined to go - and will probably end up liking some group I've never heard of better than the one I knew I would like. But that's not too far-fetched, really. If there's no one on the roster that I'd otherwise seek out, odds are the producers aren't catering to my particular tastes. If there's at least one act that I would enjoy, odds are stronger that I'll find other things that I enjoy there.

Regardless, even my favoritest band in the whole wide world would be trumped by the majesty that is the Mom Visit.

[Not Afraid]

I'm very picky about music.......... If there's no one on the roster that I'd otherwise seek out, odds are the producers aren't catering to my particular tastes.
Coachella is just about as far as catering to anyone's particular taste than any other festival. I think their whole point is diversity. I've certainly been exposed to bands that I thought I'd never respond to and ended up loving them. Other times, quite the opposite has happened. There are many, many, many types of music to choose from, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the event.

[Kevy Baby]

If it weren't for the Lashvisit, I would be making plans to attend my first. Maybe pop that cherry next year.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Have you tried listening to the bands, Pru? I'm hoping you're not saying "if I hadn't heard of them they must not be the kind of music I like."

The type of music played varies widely, as our latest bit of recon proves to us over and over.

[Prudence]

I did not exhaust the list of bands, but yes, I listened to a goodly number, and wasn't particularly interested in any of them. Like I said, I'm picky.

[Kevy Baby]

Man, you're picky

[€uroMeinke]

Turns out my mom will be visiting Coachella that weekend, so we're officially out this year. Maybe next year the line-up will be more....inspired.

So if your mom's going to Coachella why aren't you?

[Ghoulish Delight]

OMG, we're watching the California's Gold. Just as bizarre to see Huel Howser at the polog grounds as I expected it to be.

[Not Afraid]

Well, LOOK OVER HERE! This is a SHADE STRUCTURE. You go inside it and you're in the SHADE!

[Disneyphile]

Well, LOOK OVER HERE! This is a SHADE STRUCTURE. You go inside it and you're in the SHADE!
That's amazing! :D

We've recorded it and hope to watch tonight. It's gotta be entertaining. :D

[Ghoulish Delight]

I spent the whole time picturing the it being watched by the Huel Howser's usual demographic. Amusing.

Though I bet there's at least one poor bastard out there who bought tickets without telling their parents much detail, whose parents subsequently saw this show and said, "Oh no you're not, mister!"

[Not Afraid]

I liked watching the show because I could remember exactly where I was at most of the moments shown on the clip. Good times.

When the showed the Lucent piece, Roger was on stage splashing around. At the same time, I was sending Roger a message on My Space. Funny.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well, LOOK OVER HERE! This is a SHADE STRUCTURE. You go inside it and you're in the SHADE!
The man has a gift with words.


I just hope he kept the gift receipt.

[Disneyphile]

Ken and I will occasionally recite news stories or other crap in the style of Huell. We've busted our guts many times, trying to annoy each other with it.

The best was when we read excerpts from a "joy of sex" type book, just for kicks. We were totally dying. :D

[Betty]

Our fish is named after Huell. We also have a Huell Mii character that's fun.

We often narrate our off roading trips in his voice and inflection... WOW! THAT is A-MAY-zing. Lois - come here and look at this.

On the Adam Corolla show they used to have a guest come in and impersonate him... they would play Huell's real show and then work the impersonator guy in with "innappropriate" comments. Very funny.

[€uroMeinke]

Feeling a bit jealous




http://coachella.thedolab.com/emails/coach3.jpg


We can't wait to show you our new Coachella installation!


Many of you know that every year The Do LaB creates a massive art installation inside the Coachella Arts and Music Festival, complete with our favorite underground music, water misting madness, custom Do LaB structures
and performances by the Lucent Dossier Experience. This year we’re going bigger than ever with our vision and lineup.
Our installation is, by far, our largest creation yet and we’ve put together a collection of music artists from around the
country that are sure to make you dance until you drop. This may be your best chance to see The Do LaB
in full effect this summer as we unleash everything we’ve got on our Lucent Misting Oasis.
You are officially invited so get a ticket or two and come kick it with us!




http://coachella.thedolab.com/emails/dj%20booth.jpg

[Cadaverous Pallor]

*happy dance*

[Ghoulish Delight]

Ooh, Coachella's twitter feed linked to a concept rendering for one of the big art installations this year.

(spoilerized in case CP doesn't want to see)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef011570024a30970b-pi

Made of plastic tubing and designed to spray mist. I like it already!

details (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/04/design-revealed-for-coachella-sculpture-beware-the-mist.html)

ETA: Hahah, silly weather.com. Its 10 day forecast thinks it's only going to be 86 next Friday in Indio. Hahahaha.

[Kevy Baby]

(spoilerized in case CP doesn't want to see my comment about the installation)

Is it just me, or does it look a little like a roller coaster?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I thought the same.

[€uroMeinke]

Getting more Jealous - this just in from Lucent:

Learn the Shimmy Shake Down for Coachella (and beyond)



http://i44.tinypic.com/258uxz6.jpg (http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdGlueXBpYy5jb20=)

So as Lucent gets prepped for it's next big gig... the 2009 Coachella Music & Arts Festival (w/ The DoLab in the Misting Oasis).. the troupe is starting to get all into the retro-60's flavour of a new theatrical experience (well in our Lucent version of the look and feel anyways).. We've got one more week of intense crazy rehearsals, costuming, and set design before we're off to rock out our latest shenanegans...


Also in store for this performance at Coachella is the oppurtunity for Lucent fans to pre-learn a section of a cheeze-ball dance we do in one of our featured songs. We broadcast a preview of that choreography online and anyone that learns it and comes to see the show is free to dance with us in the audience as you watch us perform that number onstage. We're calling this rocked out dance 'The Shimmy Shake Down" (to go with the song 'Shimmy Shake It') and we're curious to see if any active life lovin' souls will perform it with us... being that we perform at the festival 3 times a day for three consecutive days... there are 9 chances to shimmy shake the way our rockin little troupe works this stage... and who knows.. maybe we'll start an international dance trend by the end of it!

Anyways.. if you're down to learning this dance here's the instructional video. You could learn it in the privacy of your own home... then come to Coachella and be a star with us! OR if you aren't anywhere near able to make it to the festival you can at least learn the dance and take part with us from afar (maybe even make a video of yourself rocking it!) Who knows... the world has endless possibilities if you know how to 'shake it'!!



See the video here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ConjoXtWf0I&feature=player_embedded)

[Disneyphile]

OMG. I so wish they were my dance class instructors! :snap:

[Not Afraid]

They've been our dance class instructors and they were a BLAST!

[Ghoulish Delight]

:D :D :D

[Kevy Baby]

:D :D :DWhat?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm excited. That's what.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Suh-weet. :D

[Kevy Baby]

I'm excited. That's what.Cool - have fun.

Hi chance I will try to go next year. I would have gone this year had it not been for the Lashvisit.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Weather.com is slowly getting it right. 89, 90, 93 for Fri., Sat. Sun.

[Ghoulish Delight]

And the forecast has inched higher once again, 89, 93, 95. So much for moving it a week earlier to avoid the heat.

BTW, if anyone is interested, and can stand the jealousy, AT&T will be live webcasting (http://music.att.net/s/editorial.dll?bfromind=5168&eeid=6446587&_sitecat=1384&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=-2) from the festival.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Now it's 89, 94, 98! Holy crap, hope it doesn't continue to rise at this rate...

[Ghoulish Delight]

DoLab build photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedolab/sets/72157616762988554/show/). Squee!!

[Ghoulish Delight]

The set times are up. Time to start agonizing over decisions -

Friday looks easy. Only one early band I marginally care about, so if we take our time in the pool and don't arrive until late afternoon, we're in good shape. Then the rest of the day is largely conflict free. The only question will be how much we're diggin Paul McCartney. If we're really liking it, then we'll have to miss out on The Presets, which I was really interested in listening to their music on MySpace. If it's McCartney is good enough that we start to want to stick around for his full set, which looks like it'll be ~2 hours, then we'll be forced to choose between sticking around vs. crossing the field to catch The Crystal Method. If McCartney is that impressive, that's going to be a difficult choice.

Saturday brings the first difficult overlap, Blitzen Trapper, Drive-by Truckers and Dr. Dogg. Fortunately B.T and Dr. Dogg are in adjacent tents, so we can mosey back and forth with relative ease. But that means new-find Drive-by Truckers may fall by the wayside. Might be a more difficult decision for CP as the Truckers are serious southern rock, a favorite genre of hers that she doesn't get much of.

Then it gets worse. Fleet Foxes completely overlaps Thievery Corporation. That's actually kind of an easy choice as Thievery Corporation never really hit home with me, but I was looking forward to finding out if their live show added enough to make them as awesome as they theoretically should be. Bummer.

That will also mean skipping Booker T., which carried a slim but plausible chance of Neil Young being a surprise guest. He played on at least one, I think more than one, track on Booker's recent album and with the amount of southern rock smattered through the weekend, it would make sense. But Fleet Foxes definitely takes precedent.

Heh, after last years debacle with MIA crammed into a tent, they've got her on the main stage this year. There are a couple dance acts happening in the tents, I think I'll be content to be on the opposite side of the venue from her. which will make staking out a spot for Chemical Brothers convenient.

Saturday's headliners make it easy. I've got no real desire to see the Killers. That just leaves Gang Gang Dance as the only headliner that has me interested. Perfect. We've had a pretty good track record when ending an evening in the Gobi tent.

Sunday's the first day with "morning" acts that I would have liked to see. But the odds of us arriving before 1, espeically on Sunday, are slim to none, so we'll probably miss out on Vivian Girls and Mexican Institute of Sound.

Early Sunday evening will be a challenge. Yeah Yeah Yeahs followed by Peter Bjorn and John on the main stage with Antony and the Johnsons on the outdoor stage sandwiched in between. Might bounce back and forth to catch bits of all three.Once again it looks like Sunday night will be difficult-choice free. Might be ducking out of a set or two early, but there seems to be enough space to catch bits of The Orb, The Kills, Groover Armada, Throbbing Gristle, and Etienne de Crecy (who seem to have a stage setup to that rivals Daft Punk's epic Coachella show).

And somewhere in there we need to fit in plenty of stops at the DoLab to show of our mad Shimmy Shake skills (we've been rehearsing :D ).

All said and done, I'm pleased with the set-time shakedown. And am getting more excited by the millisecond.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Correction - Drive By Truckers is too countrified for my taste. Smacks of Eagles.

I'm bummed about Sunday morning, but there are always trade offs. I have to get a look myself when I get a chance....

[CoasterMatt]

Say hi to The Crystal Method :)

Maybe next year I'll finally get to Coachella, and some of you can get to Burning Man?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Say hi to The Crystal Method :)Very excited to finally see them.

Maybe next year I'll finally get to Coachella, and some of you can get to Burning Man?Would love to see you in Indio, but I think we're going to pass on Burning Man. Have massive fun for us :)

[Stan4dSteph]

There's a Coachella iPhone app. Cool way to manage your Coachella choices.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Unelss you don't have an iPhone.

[Stan4dSteph]

Unelss you don't have an iPhone.There's always a paper and pen(cil). Sorry, was this your own personal Coachell(a) thread?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I'm just jealous of those with iPhones.

Especially since they don't even give any good way to copy and paste the schedule into other formats :(

We spent an inordinate amount of time last night manually making personalized schedules in Excel. There is the Coachooser which we could just print, but we wanted to color code stuff.

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm just jealous of those with iPhones.

Especially since they don't even give any good way to copy and paste the schedule into other formats :(

We spent an inordinate amount of time last night manually making personalized schedules in Excel. There is the Coachooser which we could just print, but we wanted to color code stuff.Yeah, that does suck. Of course, I may be in the same boat for the U2 tour since it's sponsored by Blackberry and there are rumors of interactive elements. I just hope they also include people who don't have Blackberries.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I think I'm most jealous of the feature in the iPhone app that lets you upload photos directly to their site from the phone.

[Snowflake]

I'm just jealous of those with iPhones.

Especially since they don't even give any good way to copy and paste the schedule into other formats :(

We spent an inordinate amount of time last night manually making personalized schedules in Excel. There is the Coachooser which we could just print, but we wanted to color code stuff.

Where's Lisa? I read that to be coochchooser

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Every time I see Coachooser I think "You choo choo choose me?"

[Cadaverous Pallor]

WE R OUTTIE

L8RS!!!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Putting aside hotel stupidity, Day 1 was a blast!

Quick highlights -

Los Campasinos - Good thing they had an afternoon set, wouldn't want them to be up past their bedtime! Those children play great music!

Ghostland Observatory - This is the 3rd time we've seen them. Apparently they've gotten kinda big since we last saw them. HUGE crowd showed up the Sahara tent. And they delivered. It was GREAT to see that they were able to scale the energy of the show up to this venue (although more accurately, their energy never properly scaled down to the smaller venues anyway).

Some dude named Paul - He may not have had the bells and whistles that Roger Waters had last year, but he's Sir Paul McCartney. And I just got to see Paul McCartney live on stage. He sounds amazing, he was having fun, he was peronable and honest. CP points out that his show reads like a string of eulogies, between songs about his mother, Linda, John, and George. Thank god he's someone who knows how to channel all of that into something beautiful.

He did a 2 hour set...and then 3 encores. We saw the first encore, and were leaving as he came back for the 2nd. We decided to continue heading out, lingered at the merchandise tent where we were able to hear the whole rest of the show. My favorite moment came as the 2nd encore began. We were in the very back corner of the venue, about to walk out the gate, and he came back on and started playing Yesterday. As far from the stage as we were, the sound wasn't loud. And as he started to sing, everyone around us began to sing, softly, along with him. Gave me the chills.

I'm ashamed to admit that we did NOT dance along with Lucent Dossier, and Dan seemed unhappy about that. I feel awful and VOW to do the Shimmy Shake today.

A few teaster pics.

[Deebs]

Great pics!

I'm glad the hotel debacle didn't cramp your groove. I'm afraid that it would take far less to get to me in the dessert. That is just not a place I'd wanna be, as much as I'd love to see some of the bands.

he came back on and started playing Yesterday. And as he started to sing, everyone around us began to sing, softly, along with him. Gave me the chills.


I got a little chill just reading that. Yesterday is one of those songs that can make me cry pretty much any old time. In My Life is another one that makes me cry; it played during my wedding ceremony but I still love that song, even given the outcome of the marriage.

I can hardly wait to see all the photos when everything is over.

[Ghoulish Delight]

We Shimmy Shook!

And there will be video evidence forthcoming (and hopefully more opportunity today, so much fun!)

Until then, this year's installment of Coachella fashion.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Continued...

[innerSpaceman]

Hahaha, Coachella Fashion 2009 did not disappoint. Glad you apparently had a great time .... but I've got to say you were missed at various California Lash locales ... and it's hard to believe you were not among the dizzying revolving cast of LoT swankers involved.


At one point near the end (last night to be specific), your expertise in a certain area of specialized interest would have been helpful. Expect a quizzling later.

[Ghoulish Delight]

We've survived! Through near riotous parking lots, 3 days of heat, and more man-thongs than I care to think about. Ended on a FANTASTIC note with Etienne de Crecy (though the set was a disappointingly short).

We danced the shimmy shake again, to the delight of those on stage. We made the serpent breathe fire at our command. And we found the perfect mate for the Cubatron.

I will sleep well tonight, knowing I will not be standing in the sun tomorrow. Farewell to another amazing Coachella.

[Capt Jack]

looked like fun
<sigh>

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So. Many. Pictures. and Video to Edit. I gave our new Flip HD cam a work out and it performed beautifully.

May I just post publicly that NA and € were sorely missed. Yes, we had a blast, but there were definitely moments where I looked to the side, wishing they were dancing along with us.

There is much to tell. Later. :)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Photos and videos will be compiled in due time. Until then, some thoughts;

Artwork
Wow! Some of the most spectacular art this year. Highlights being the Hand of Man, a giant hydraulic hand that anyone could line up to control with a suped-up power glove...and pick up a car! Video to be posted. We did not wait in line, but we did view. And then there was the serpent mother. The comment I heard from one of the artists on hand to answer questions and encourage people to push the "make fire" buttons was, "Yeah, the fire marshal had some issues once we got on site here." :D :D

And we got to see the tesla coils a bunch this year! Phew!

Paul McCartney
Yeah, I know I already gave my reaction. But it bears repeating. He is worthy of his status as legend.

As is, apparently, his sound engineer crew. I don't know for sure how things like this work at this kind of festival, but I imagine the Goldenvoice hires its own sound engineers to set up all the equipment and be on hand to assist, or to do sound for bands that don't travel with a crew. But I figure the headliners all hire their own engineers to do sound for their individual sets. And if so, Paul McCartney's are earining their pay. The difference between how he sounded compared to every other headliner we heard on the same stage was staggering. My Bloody Valentine being the worst. Guess Paul can afford the best in the world.

Dancing in the sun
It never fails. Evey year there is at least one act that's on one of the two outdoor stages at ~5PM, right when the sun is at it's most heinous angle, that absolutely REQUIRES dancing. This year's entry was Michael Franti and Spearhead. Undeniably good dance reggae. It wasn't until the next day that we finally listened to CP and went around to the other side of the crowd so we at least weren't staring into the sun on that stage. Lesson learned.

Best stage show, worst music
N.A.S.A. His set was unfortunately grade-A douchebag material, and it seemed to attract that demographic. I say unfortunately because I really wanted to like someone who turned his D.J. booth into a mock lunar lander, and who brought out green alien chicks and a dude in a giant robot suit as dancers. But no, he was a douche, and his set sucked. Sad.

Shimmy Shake it Baby
Adding up the one time we saw Lucent's full show, and the 2 partial shows we saw comes out to about 2.5-2.75 viewings. And 2 performances by us of the Shimmy Shake. I'm STILL disappointed that I chickened out the frist time, but thrilled that I got over it. I'm bummed that next to no one else joined in (we only saw one other couple, once), but I do know that the performers appreciated it as at least one of them acknowledged us from the stage.

And aside from the non-starter interactive bit, the show was fantastic. They are such wonderful performers, and their band rocks. Though they've really got to work on their sound equipment. As usual, microphones seemed to have issues with being around all the water, and by Sunday there was a blown speaker that really hurt the sound.

Black Keys
What a talent! I spent a while trying to figure out why I couldn't see the other guitarist on stage. But no, it was just a drummer and the one guitar with one astounding guitar player. Really really dug the set.

The Cure
What to say. They sounded really good. But Robert Smith just looks like a ridiculous human being up there, especially paired with Uncle Fester on guitar next to him. And I know they want to have some focus on their new music, which is great. But it was at least 5 songs in before they played anything anyone knows, and that's silly at a festival like this. Plus, I'll admit to preferring their later poppier songs over the moody stuff they built themselves on. Sue me. On the plus side, I DID get to smoke a clove while watching The Cure live, that's a pretty awesome experience. But we bailed early to catch a bit of...

Throbbing Gristle
A new name to me, but recommended by NA and €, they were pioneers in punk and industrial noise. And with their age, may very well have been actual pioneers in wagon trains too! The stage lighting was nothing but bright white lights aimed at their equipment and note sheets, presumably because their eyes aren't so good anymore.

That said, those old folks made some fabulous noise. Weird beyond all getout, and perhaps a little melodramatic for my tastes. But bless 'em they're still going for it as white-haired geezers! Best overheard comment, 'What am I looking at?" :D

Scandanavian Showcase
Complete with bizarre Swedish guest singers, Peter, Bjorn, and John put on a stellar show on the main stage. I'm digging what I've heard of their new ablum, and they've got such a great range from uber-minimalist to beautifully layered rock. And they're just so...Swedish!

You'd think after 10 years...
They still fvck the parking thing up. And Saturday always seems to be the worst.

Got to our car in the far, far, parking lot late Saturday night. We a go a short distance, then nothing. Dead stopped, measuring progress in minutes and quarter-car-lengths. CP hops out to take a walk, discovering that our lot was merging into a single lane, which was merging into another lot, which was merging into another lot. So we were at the end of a long line that was being continually fed in front of us with more cars. Boned.

Meanwhile, while she was out, I notice somse comotion from the direction of the driveway we originally entered the lot from which was presumably, and inexplicably, closed for exiting. Next thing I know, people are telling the drivers to turn around and head for that driveway. I called CP to hurry back, and aimed thataway. It seemed at first like it was clearing up, but then stopped dead again. CP once again went to investigate.

Turns out, poeple broke the gate across the driveway down. But very shortly after that, presumably once cars were seen coming from somewhere they weren't suppposed to be coming from, the cops rolled up and shut the exit down. That's when things got nearly ugly as all of us who had turned around to exit that way were jammed with no where to go. After some tense negotiations and a few rumblings of riot, the cop said, "gimme 15 minutes to re-cone the streets and we'll let you out."

All of this might have been more amusing, if my low-gas light hadn't just come on. I was seriously sweating it, did NOT want to go dry in the middle of all of that. But made it through, and in the process found what may be a better way in and out of the venue in the future. So, bonus!

I'm sure I'll have more to add after sorting through photos.

We missed NA and € big time. Hope we'll have a bigger group next year!

[Snowflake]

Sounds like a great time! Parking hell, however.

Too hot for this snowflake, but I can appreciate and will await the videos!

[Ghoulish Delight]

It is hot, I won't deny that. But we learned our lesson well last time, and by timing it such that the earliest we were through the gates was 2:30 in the afternoon, it makes things far more tolerable. Arriving shortly before the hottest part of the day, rather than being there for hours while it's reaching the hottest part of the day makes a tremendous difference.

[Kevy Baby]

Paul McCartney

As is, apparently, his sound engineer crew. I don't know for sure how things like this work at this kind of festival, but I imagine the Goldenvoice hires its own sound engineers to set up all the equipment and be on hand to assist, or to do sound for bands that don't travel with a crew. But I figure the headliners all hire their own engineers to do sound for their individual sets. And if so, Paul McCartney's are earining their pay. The difference between how he sounded compared to every other headliner we heard on the same stage was staggering. My Bloody Valentine being the worst. Guess Paul can afford the best in the world.I will see if I can find out who his FOH and monitor engineers are.

Surprisingly, artists tend to hold on to their monitor engineers more closely than their FOH guys - it takes a while for an engineer to learn just how to tweak it to make the artist happy.

But I imagine that McCartney has his own FOH guy as well. I'll see what I can find out.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/66141390@N00/sets/72157617156824904/)

[Ghoulish Delight]

More thoughts -

Way Past Their Bed Time
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3464924478_718b9a65e8_b.jpg
My "damnit I'm too old to be here" moment came during Los Campesinos set. Those children play some great music! The drummer, in particular, looked about 14. They apparently met at university, so I guess they aren't THAT young. But damnit that makes me feel even older knowing that 21-year-olds look like children!



Oh THAT Dhani Harrison
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3464956046_c516cfd3a0_b.jpg
We wanted to see thenewno2 because A) we liked the music we'd heard, and B) the band name seems to a a reference to The Prisoner. What we didn't realize until CP read a review of their performance afterwards is that the lead singer, Dhani Harrison, is George Harrison's son!

What have you done with the Comodore?!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3477/3464186273_622bef483d_b.jpg

Familiar....faces from last year, though they seem to have thrown [url=a couple of their buddies[/url] overboard.

Pure Awesome
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3464969492_b34c304d60_b.jpg

The ground shook when she dropped it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I sure hope those Los Campesinos kids got enough popsicle breaks. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

But damnit that makes me feel even older knowing that 21-year-olds look like children!It's a bitch ain't it?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Umm, wow

http://vimeo.com/4273363
(nsfw - non-pornographic nudity)

Judging from the sunlight, this probably took place before we even arrived.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh, and speaking of cops -

As we were walking out at the end of day 1, we were passing a group of cops standing by the exit. All of a sudden someone, a pretty big dude, takes a spill. At first I thought either some drunk guy stumbled into the cops, or that they were taking some guy down. But then I realized the guy on the ground was one of the cops! He gets up, to some general laughter, and either CP or my sister saying, "Had a little too much?"

He didn't seem as amused as we all did as, once on his feet, he immediately got in the face of one of his fellow officers, presumably one who gave him a playful shove, and made it clear that he didn't approve of what just happened.

:D :D

[Kevy Baby]

http://vimeo.com/4273363
(nsfw - non-pornographic nudity)I was amused by the tag line under the video:

three overweight cops take down one neo-hippie and his very small penis

[innerSpaceman]

better than three overweight cops take down one neo-pagan and his very black penis. :p

[€uroMeinke]

...there but by the grace of God go I...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hahaha.

The weather in Indio this weekend, the weekend that Coachella traditionally should have fallen on?

86, 79, 87.



Although there are 15-20mph wind gusts, so perhaps it's not quite as ideal as those temps might indicate.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The first day of Coachella videos are up, here (http://vimeo.com/album/85922).

We required a password since in the past they have been taking down videos of Coachella acts. I think you all know and love what that password is.

More to come.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well poop.

On the plus side, I don't have to feel like a doofus for not noticing that we were watching George Harrison's son (who an internet search reveals looks and sounds like a whole lot like his dad). But it turns out that who we though was thenewno2, Dhani Harrison's band, was actually the act before them, Ariel Pink's Haunted Grafitti. No idea how that happened since Haunted Graffitti was supposed to have been long done by the time we hit that tent, but I guess things were running a bit late. And now I'm left to wonder if we would have figured out who we were watching if we HAD seen the real thenewno2.

[Kevy Baby]

So, who's playing in 2010?

[Ghoulish Delight]

MIA said she wants to do it again.

But the line-up isn't traditionally announced until late January or so.

Of course, if what mousepod reported to us is true, they're going to have to make some changes if they want to continue this. Apparently with the increased star-power of the headliners in the last couple of years (McCartney, Madonna, Prince, Waters), has come significantly increased appearance fees and thus diminishing, possibly disappearing, profits.

[€uroMeinke]

I'm hoping:
Talking Heads
David Bowie
Brian Eno
Einsturzende Neubauten
Tom Waits
Shiina Ringo

[Cadaverous Pallor]

FINALLY. All the videos are up. The album is password protected so they don't get taken down. The password is something the LoT likes to eat.

Click me (http://vimeo.com/album/85922/page:1)

At least check out the FIRE.