Coachella 2007

[Not Afraid]

This is my initial short list:

Air
Jarvis Cocker
Justice (THIS is Daft Punk - I'm almost sure of it)
Arcade Fire (The)
Bjork
Lily Allen
Manu Chao
Brazilian Girls
New Pornographers
Cornelius
Ozomatli
Damien Rice
Decemberists
Peter, Bjorn & John
DJ Shadow
Rage Against The Machine
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Regina Spektor
Roky Erickson and the Explosives (DUDE! This is 13th Floor Elevator lead!!!)
Felix Da Housecat
Rufus Wainwright
Sonic Youth
Gillian Welch
Girl Talk
Gogol Bordello
Sparklehorse
Gotan Project
Grizzly Bear
We Are Scientists
Willie Nelson

[mousepod]

I would go just for Jarvis.

His anthem, which appeared over the closing credits of Children of Men, is in my top ten of 2006.

Here's the video. NSFW NSFW NSFW (though it should be)

[Not Afraid]

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Days 1 and 2! Days 1 and 2! Damn, but why couldn't We Are Scientists and Gogol Bordello be in Day 2; I'd get to eat all my cake in one day. And now I have to save money AND contemplate a vacation day...

All for you, Eugene, you beautiful Russian refugee!

[Not Afraid]

Don't forget New Pornographers.

[Alex]

I've heard of (or heard of sufficiently that I recognize their name) exactly four of those acts.

So just out of curiosity are those mostly reasonably well known bands or a few big names with a lot of essentially unknowns?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I've heard of (or heard of sufficiently that I recognize their name) exactly four of those acts.

So just out of curiosity are those mostly reasonably well known bands or a few big names with a lot of essentially unknowns?

There are about 5 categories that the bands fall into.

* There are about a dozen or so that would be considered big names that most people have heard of whether they're into music/that genre or not (Bjork, RHCP, Decemberists, Rage, Willie Nelson...)

* There's a large chunk that are considered big-if-you're-into-it, but not surprising that people who don't listen to music much or don't get exposure to a particular genre haven't heard of them.

* The names that, if you're paying attention and listening to a lot of public radio you might have heard them.

* This group really gained traction last year - the My Space bands. I still haven't really delved into that world, but it's where a lot of new bands are getting exposure.

* Unknowns/Little knowns.

There's also the special bonus category of reunited old bands that WERE big but may only be known by those of us who are a good bit above the mean attendee age. This year, that includes Sonic Youth, Crowded House, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

There's also the special bonus category of reunited old bands that WERE big but may only be known by those of us who are a good bit above the mean attendee age. This year, that includes Sonic Youth......

Sonic Youth never broke up. They've been working and touring pretty consistantly since 1981. The members have done a lot of independent projects, but they never stopped working as a band.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Sonic Youth never broke up. They've been working and touring pretty consistantly since 1981. The members have done a lot of independent projects, but they never stopped working as a band.

I stand corrected. I guess I should drop the "reunited" from the category description. Sonic Youth fits that bill.

[€uroMeinke]

Add ing to what GD said, personally one of the pleasures of this festival takes place long before the concert takes place, as you start researching the bands, listening to clips, and discovering new music. This continues at the convert, with so many bands playing it's a smorgesborg of music - and it seems the most memorable performances are never anticipated.