The Cure plays Coachella 2009 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. (2009/File Photo)
It’s January–that magical time of the year when the anticipation for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup increases tenfold and the rumor mill goes on overload, where even a polo ball is seen as a clue to the year’s lineup.
I’ve been posting predictions, wish lists and more throughout the season with the Coachellaology tag and have been fielding suggestions and wish lists from readers, too.
One of the things you can always count on in the lineup is a big reunion act. I posted earlier about Blur and The Stone Roses, but a few others have come up that are worth debating. Remember that Coachella was where The Pixies and Rage Against the Machine both reunited, among so many others over the years.
Don’t worry, we’re not going with the impossible dream of The Smiths or Talking Heads. Paul Tollett, head of festival promoter Goldenvoice, already said they’re still atop Coachella’s wish list during a panel aboard the S.S. Coachella last month (as a personal aside in reference to that Billboard story, I’d LOVE to see Iron Maiden at Coachella. That would be super rad).
Here are some of the rumors/wish list reunions that readers have been commenting and sending to me.
Oingo Boingo performs at the US Festival, May 28, 1983. (1983/File Photo)
Oingo Boingo
-One of the most recent suggestions I got was regarding Oingo Boingo, who played their last show together in 1995. Leader Danny Elfman, who has become one of the most well-known composers in film and television (ahem, “The Simpsons” theme), has been vocal about not wanting to reunite due to irreversible hearing loss.
Maybe he doesn’t want to tour, but a one-off show at Coachella (actually two-off since it’s twin weekends) could be special and a possibility. Plus, Oingo Boingo has a HUGE SoCal fan base. I think it would go over well, but I just don’t know if Elfman would do it.
Thanks to reader Dane for the suggestion on this one.
Fugazi (Jem Cohen)
Fugazi
-D.C. post-punk heroes Fugazi are often rumored to be reuniting and if the time is now, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen at Coachella. Thanks to reader Paul for continually reminding me about this needing to happen.
However, drummer Brendan Canty’s project Deathfix is releasing its album in February, so that makes me think the Fugazi reunion is still a dream. Maybe Deathfix will appear at Coachella instead?
What do you think? Who will the big reunion acts be for Coachella 2013? Post in the comments below.
If you haven’t been here before, welcome. I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. Some of these picks come from my sleuthing and many more come from readers. It’s all done in the spirit of the fun and excitement of Coachella.
Here are some previous Coachella 2013 picks from the Audio File and readers:
Jan. 5, 2012: Sound City Players
Dec. 31, 2012: Alex Clare, Lucero, Alabama Shakes, Beach House
Dec. 28, 2012: Hot Chip, Warpaint, Father John Misty, Cloud Nothings
Dec. 26, 2012: Muse, No Doubt and Alt-J
Dec. 20, 2012: Aesop Rock
Dec. 19, 2012: Daft Punk, The Rolling Stones, Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dec. 14, 2012: The Rolling Stones
Dec. 12, 2012: Airborne Toxic Event
Nov. 30, 2012: Bjork
Nov. 28, 2012: Nick Cave, Tegan and Sara, Converge
Nov. 14, 2012: Sigur Ros, Pearl Jam
Nov. 9, 2012: Paul Kalkbrenner, Kill the Noise
Nov. 9, 2012: Passion Pit, Nine Inch Nails/How to Destroy Angels, Queens of the Stone Age, Run DMC, Rocket from the Crypt
Oct. 19, 2012: Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Local Natives, Blur
Want more Coachella goodness? I tag all of my Coachella prediction posts Coachellaology. The iGuide also has a Coachella section that has interviews, articles, photos from previous years and more. Consequence of Sound also has an excellent running tally of Coachella possibilities and confirmations. You can email me at vfranko@pe.com.