Get your tents, hotel reservations, or rental house agreements, because we’re going to the desert for a weekend this spring. Friday April 25 to Sunday April 27 there are over 100 acts to see at the 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Each year, Goldenvoice pulls the hottest artists to the polo fair grounds in Indio, providing the greatest venue for live music, and this year is no exception.
When the line ups are announced in January, there is usually a load of disappointment when your favorite band doesn’t happen to be playing. But let me assure you, as a Coachella veteran having only missed the first year, there are plenty of bands you do like, and even more you never heard of waiting to make you a fan. The promoters do a good job of assembling a wide variety of acts, covering almost every genre, and attracting an assortment of characters and music lovers.
The festival is complete with 2 stages and 3 tents for the artists, a beer garden for the drunkards, a huge field that can easy fit a wondering 50,000, various food and beverage, $2 waters, very little shade, and freaks consuming a plethora mind altering substances to enhance the experience. The bands know this, and they dress and act accordingly giving their fans the ultimate show. Coachella has gained a reputation as one of the world’s great festivals, often inspiring bands to reunite and to play at their very best.
Day one seems to have the weakest headliner, Jack Johnson, but has some very strong acts that will probably make you forget him. Look for the Raconteurs to steal the show on Friday, probably sharing the main stage with the Verve and the Breeders. Also, Fatboy Slim returns and will most likely headline the dance tent, following superstar DJ’s Sandra Collins and Adam Freeland. Slightly Stoopid and Aesop Rock will represent their version of hip hop.
Day two, and it gets interesting. After years of rumors, Portishead has finally arrived. They will headline along with Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, and Cafe Tacuba. This will be the most diverse of days on the main stage, starting off what will be a dark weekend in music. Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, and M.I.A will probably occupy a side stage while the legendary duo Sasha and Digweed will be shoved in to a tent.
Always the best is day three, the closer. Roger Waters will close out the main stage doing the classic, Dark Side of the Moon. I don’t see him leaving without giving us other classic tunes from Pink Floyd, notably songs from Animals, providing an opportunity to see a giant pig flying across the desert. My Morning Jacket will warm up the stage for Waters, as well as a reunion of Love and Rockets. For the kids, there’s Justice, hopefully making racket in the tent. Also, Spiritulaized and Golgo Bordello will play Sunday to close out the fest.
Coachella always proves to be the greatest time of year for music lovers. It is an opportunity to leave this city we all love, and forget the civilized world for a few days. It is a time to reflect on our lives and spend moments of celebration with the people we love. There is something amazing about 50,000 people all traveling a great distance, to a remote place, just to dance and sing together. To understand it, you must be a part of it. I beg all of you to try it this year, and if you do, I guarantee, you will not miss another.
Get a hotel early, because rooms will fill and the prices will go up. It is $90 for a single day and $269 for a three day pass. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am. Also, keep looking at Coachella.com for updates in the line up. Late additions are made every year and are sometimes the best acts.
Photo by herby_fr via Flickr
1 response so far ↓
1 Kendra // Jan 23, 2008 at 9:05 am
wow. great lineup. i just got chills…
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