Coachella 09: USE repeat offendors!

Ok, so bear with my “negativity” here. But am I the only one who isn’t THRILLED with the 2009 Coachella lineup???

Don’t get me wrong—my ticket has been purchased, Coachella has earned its name as one of America’s “most acclaimed” music festivals. I have no doubt that being in that magical isolated desert for three days will change my life. All the interesting people, cold drinks, & chills down my spine from the moments of true presence and “oneness” will be hands down WORTH it.

BUT, I’ve done a little research on the Coachella lineups starting from 2005, and it seems to me this year could use a little sprucing. I know, I know—Coachella is famous for presenting more under the radar artists and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. I am always thrilled to see unknown talented artists who have something fresh to bring the music scene. But according to my research Coachella does use repeat artists, Amy Winehouse who is a headliner this year was featured in 2007. Atmosphere, another headliner was used in 2006, Franz Ferdinand=2006, the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s headlined in 2006 and are playing on Sunday this year.

Those are but a few examples and I’m not saying Coachella shouldn’t use bands they have used in previous years—quite the contrary—I actually wish they WOULD’VE used bands that they’ve used in the past who are still relevant and thriving such as: the Dears (who played in 2006, but just put out the album Missiles late 2008), CocoRosie (the obscure sisters who played in 2007—who to anyone who knows them are FUCKING AMAZING), Sigur Ros (who played in 2006, but dropped a new album June of ’08), the Arcade Fire (has been on Coachella’s roster 2005 & 2007—but come on it’s been two years and WHO doesn’t want to see the Arcade Fire??), of Montreal (who played in 2007, but have you HEARD Skeletal Lamping??), LCD Soundsystem (played in 2007, but would’ve been a renewing addition to this year’s roster), Bjork (who’s 2007 performance is still being talked about would’ve been awesome), and I could go on about other repeats I would’ve enjoyed. But instead I’ll move on to artists’ who I’ve never (since 2005) seen on a Coachella lineup: Broken Social Scene (played 2004, & yes I realize how HUGE they’ve gotten—but I’m partial, they are my fave), Neutral Milk Hotel (I don’t think has ever played at Coachella), Foals (would’ve been a nice under-the-radar band to have exposed), the Notwist, Fiona Apple (awesome headliner that would’ve been eh?). Okaaayyy—so now that’s off my chest.

Again, despite my yapping criticism I AM super excited about this year’s sure-to-be epic Coachella trip. Here’s my tentative hit-list for while I am there: Beirut, Crystal Castles, Paul McCartney, Leonard Cohen, STEVE AOKI, TRV$DJ-AM, Crystal Method, Girl Talk, Ghostland Observatory, M. Ward, Morrissey, Los Campesinos!, Aggrolites, Black Keys, People Under the Stairs, Presets, Amy Winehouse, Band of Horses, Atmosphere, Fleet Foxes, Dr. Dog, Crookers, MSTRKRFT, Junior Boys, the Bloody Beetroots, My Bloody Valentine, Glasvegas, N.A.S.A., the Killers, Electric Touch, TV on the Radio, Antony and the Johnsons, Groove Armada, Okkervil River, Peter Bjorn & John, The Cure, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s.......

See full 2009 lineup here: http://www.coachella.com/