Now that my head has stopped spinning, I am going to finally get down things I’m thinking about Coachella. We have a story I’m really proud of running in tomorrow’s paper about Coachella, but I wanted to throw my two cents in.
The only two bands I really thought would be there and I’m disappointed they won’t be are Kings of Leon and the Rapture. I was also hoping for a Pavement reunion. But I know there are more than enough acts to keep me occupied.
Here are my early faves. Feel free to chime in and tell me I’m way off base, or to to share your thoughts.
Friday:
I think Friday is my favorite day.
I love Paul McCartney. I love the Beatles. I don’t trust people who don’t like the Beatles. I am ridiculously excited. He’s not what you would traditionally think of as a Coachella artist, but he’s written some of the greatest songs of all time, with the help from a guy named John Lennon, of course. And yes, I still love Paul even if he has some turkeys in there, ahem, “Give My Regards to Broad Street.”
The fact that Leonard Cohen is going to be there just blows my mind. He hasn’t played the U.S. in more than 15 years!
I love Conor Oberst, too and the Black Keys are one of my all-time favorite bands to see live. I’m intrigued by Morrissey and Franz Ferdinand.
Other artists I definitely want to see are: Noah and the Whale, M. Ward, N.A.S.A., The Airborne Toxic Event, We Are Scientists, the Presets and Ryan Bingham, who played last year’s Stagecoach and is just an amazing songwriter.
Saturday:
There is one man I am determined to see and interview at Coachella. His name is Henry Rollins and he is on my list. Every journalist has one, full of dream interviews. Mr. Rollins, you are on mine. Let’s talk. And by the way, what are you doing at Coachella? Are you doing your spoken word thing? Are you bringing a band? I want to know about your dinner with William Shatner. Call me.
I also want to see Amy Winehouse again. Plus, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, TVOTR, Drive-By Truckers, Booker T, Calexico, Mastodon and someone told me I really need to check out Blitzen Trapper. Oh, and TRAV$DJ-AM.
Also, I think this is where one of the festival’s big surprises is going to come in. I don’t think the Killers are the real headliner for Saturday. I think they could pull of Friday, but not Saturday.
Sunday:
I love the Cure, even when I saw them a few years ago and Robert Smith forgot the words to “Friday I’m in Love” and just kind of shouted “Thursday! Love!” I do want to give him a makeover, though.
I want to see Paul Weller, X, Antony & the Johnsons, Public Enemy (I LOVE LOVE LOVE Public Enemy), Jenny Lewis, The Horrors and a few more.