Fans cheer at Coachella 2008. (2008/File Photo)
You know we’re getting to a special point in the Coachella Festival lineup anticipation when I start writing terrible haiku:
Await the lineup
Dream of golden Coachella
Always a surprise
Looking at those charts I made with Coachella’s historical lineup release dates, the most logical time for the announcement seems to be Jan. 21 or Jan. 22, but obviously Goldenvoice releases the lineup when it’s ready.
Let’s talk about the possibility of prior headliners coming back. I’ve been thinking about it and a couple of headliners I’ve seen might be a good fit.
The Killers played Coachella in 2009. (2009/File Photo)
The Killers
The Killers started at Coachella in the Gobi Tent back in 2004. As they became a huge band, they returned to headline in 2009. After going on hiatus in early 2010, Brandon Flowers returned to the Empire Polo Club for a solo set in 2011. The band released a new album, “Battle Born,” in 2012 is on the festival circuit.
If The Killers were to headline Coachella 2013, they would have to be the Sunday night closer. After dates in Mexico, they only have April 14 for the first weekend, but have no tour dates scheduled the second weekend.
Red Hot Chili Peppers at Coachella 2007. (2007/File Photo)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The last time the Red Hot Chili Peppers landed at Coachella it was 2007, the same year as the Rage Against the Machine reunion. The first time the band headlined was 2003. Since Atoms for Peace, (one of Thom Yorke’s non-Radiohead projects) has been thrown out there as a possible 2013 act and the band includes Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, is RHCP more or less likely to be on the bill? The band has a clear schedule for now.
Think The Killers and/or RHCP are viable predictions for Coachella 2013? Who are your headliner picks? Fill out the form and you’re entered to win a gift card for camping gear.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. I tag all of my Coachella prediction posts Coachellaology.
Previous Coachella 2013 picks and ponderings from the Audio File and readers:
Jan. 11, 2013: Deer Tick, Middle Brother, Deftones, Geographer, Atoms for Peace, Justin Timberlake
Jan. 10, 2013: Major Lazer, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Haim
Jan. 10, 2013: Infected Mushroom, Dr. Dog, Frank Turner, Dropkick Murphys
Jan. 8, 2013: When will the Coachella lineup be announced?
Jan. 7, 2013: Fugazi, Oingo Boingo
Jan. 5, 2013: 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
Nov. 5, 2012: The Stone Roses, Daft Punk, Eminem, Watch the Throne, Depeche Mode
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.