Tag Archives: Coachella Festival

Coachella confirms Winehouse cancellation

Coachella just confirmed it–Amy Winehouse is out.

“Yes it’s true. Amy Winehouse has canceled her appearance at Coachella,” stated a post on the site’s official news page.

Her absence leaves the top billing to be The Killers and then Thievery Corporation, judging by the poster.

I think someone has to step in. Here are my thoughts:

-Green Day
On a day with the KROQ-friendly Killers headlining, Green Day could easily become the big headliner. The band’s new album drops in May, which makes them a perfect fit for Coachella. What better way to debut new material?

-No Doubt
The band is back together for the first time in five years. Again, with the Killers, a KROQ fave. However, their upcoming tour is through LiveNation, which is not Goldenvoice owners AEG Live. And with three Irvine dates this summer (in addition to a San Diego one in May) it might be too much.

-Blink-182
Travis Barker is already going to be at Coachella with DJ-AM. Blink has said they’re getting back together. Could they be ready in time for Coachella?

-Pearl Jam
I don’t know if they’d do it, but I think it would be a massive win for Coachella.

Anyone else want to venture some guesses?

Amy Winehouse out for Coachella?

The Associated Press
Amy Winehouse won’t be coming to Coachella because of visa issues dealing with legal issues, according to The Associated Press.

Uh oh. It looks like Amy Winehouse won’t be joining us in the desert for Coachella in a month or so.

However, the Coachella Web site still has Winehouse listed for Saturday, where she is billed pretty highly.

Winehouse’s Web site also said she is playing the show.

Now, Winehouse was great when she came here to play Coachella in 2007. She played in the middle tent and it was beyond packed and I couldn’t really see her but I do remember her talking about meeting Danny Devito.

But we all know about the tabloids and drugs and incarcerated sort-of husband scandals that have ensued since so I don’t know if anyone is really surprised about Winehouse bowing out of Coachella, especially after the whole Grammy thing where she performed via satellite after the U.S. denied her a visa.

I’m thinking Coachella might have to bring in another headliner because that leaves The Killers and Thievery Corporation in the top slots alone for Saturday.

Your thoughts?

A Taste of Coachella 2009: Ghostland Observatory

One of the things for me at Coachella is that I find at least one set where I can just go and dance after I’m off the clock for the day.

In 2007 it was The Rapture, last year was Justice, I think this year might be Ghostland Observatory.

Of course, one of the best things about Coachella is that you can just wander in and find a great, danceable set from a band like Datarock.

Anyway, check out this live version of “Sad Sad City.”

Coachella 2009 thoughts: Paul McCartney’s best

The Associated Press
If Paul McCartney picked the Beatles album where he was most integral, what would it be? By the looks of this shirt, I’m going with “Sgt. Pepper’s.”

I am working on the extensive research that goes into our Coachella micro-site for 2009. One of the things is bios for everyone performing. I do the same thing for Stagecoach.

It’s a crazy amount of work but really cool in the end. One of the components is a “Recommended listening” category. Now I’m at Sir Paul. For his Wings days, I’m recommending “Band on the Run”; for solo I recommend “McCartney,” although I feel strongly about “Ram” as well, and I’m also intrigued by the new release from The Fireman.

Now, here’s the debate that has sent my music friends and I into a tizzy–What Beatles album do you recommend for Paul’s contributions? Of course I could say “Go listen to every Beatles album,” but that feels a bit like cheating. I’m leaning towards side two of “Abbey Road” myself because it is like a mini album in and of itself. But then where do you put “Let It Be”? And what about “Sgt. Pepper”?

Please, chime in on this one.

A Taste of Coachella 2009: A Place to Bury Strangers

We’re inching ever closer to the festival. As I’m hunkering down in the rain and doing my research for it, I’ve come across some cool bands, like A Place to Bury Strangers. If you like My Bloody Valentine, you’ll LOVE them. I’ve also heard they’re insanely loud as a live band, so you might want earplugs before you watch this, a clip of “Oceans” from CMJ in New York in 2008.

A glimpse of Sir Paul at the Grammys

Sir Paul McCartney is coming to Coachella in April and he played the Grammys last night, with one of my favorite musicians of all-time, Dave Grohl, on drums. I’ve never interviewed Grohl, but I bet he is delightful.

What did you think of the Grammys? Robert Plant and Alison Krauss didn’t really surprise me. Neither did Coldplay’s big net of wins, although I’m still not sold on the “Viva La Vida” album, myself. I was happy to see Radiohead get recognized for “In Rainbows,” and the same for Metallica and Kings of Leon’s wins.

Also, I love Adele and Duffy so no complaints there. Duffy was amazing at Coachella in 2008. One of the highlights for me.

Anyway, going back to Sir Paul, I think “I Saw Her Standing There” is a good way to kick off a Monday. Enjoy.

Thoughts on Coachella 2009

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.

Coachella 2009: What McCartney will play

Just in from Sir Paul’s people, here’s a hint at what he might be playing at Coachella.

“Paul McCartney has been confirmed to headline the Friday April 17 opening night of the 2009 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. McCartney’s set, his first ever at Coachella, will feature the live debut of material from Electric Arguments, the new album released under the Fireman alias he shares with producer/musician Youth.”