‘Tis the season for music festivals and the summer begins with one of North America’s most predominant, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in beautiful Indio, California. While thousands around the world are preparing to make their trek to the California desert for this upcoming weekend, I am gearing up for Weekend #2- my second annual trip to Coachella.
Coachella nearly ended before it had a chance to begin, as the inaugural event in 1999 did not generate a profit despite big name headliners Beck, The Chemical Brothers, Tool, Morrissey and Rage Against the Machine.But, despite its rocky start, the festival eventually began garnering media and public interest in 2003 with the Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers headlining. Coachella’s popularity has steadily grown from there. In 2011, it was announced that due to the high demand for passes, beginning in 2012 the event would be held on two consecutive weekends in order to accommodate the masses that the event attracts.
Coachella has become known for lineup and collaboration surprises, reuniting bands and for appearances by artists on seemingly open-ended hiatuses. Part of the festival’s appeal is the opportunity to see non-touring artists perform; however, this year’s headliners are arguably a bit too nostalgic. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have proven their capability to headline first in 2003 and then again in 2007- when they were more relevant. Up against even just last year’s headliners, The Black Keys, Radiohead and Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, 2013’s headliners leave a lot to be desired.
The remainder of this year’s lineup, on the other hand, is chalk full of great talent and hidden gems. Not only will I have the chance to see performances from two of my long-time favorite bands, Modest Mouse and The Faint, I will also have the opportunity to see the reunited Postal Service and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver’s blues oriented side project The Shouting Matches. One con of attending music festivals is conflicting set schedules- but three sets I intend on seeing in their entirety, ideally as the sun is setting on the Empire Polo Field, are Local Natives on Friday, Grizzly Bear on Saturday and Tame Impala on Sunday.
Unfortunately, the noteworthy surprises are sprung during Weekend 1, so those attending Weekend 2 are ensured no pleasant surprises- save the inevitable, impromptu appearances by famous Coachella attendees that appear onstage briefly to jam with a friend for a song or two. Last year on Weekend 1, Rihanna joined Calvin Harris onstage and on Weekend 2, John Fogerty played with the Black Keys. (perhaps this year there will be a Justin Vernon/Poliça collab?)
Undeniably, last year’s most surprising and memorable moment was when Tupac joined Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg onstage. The duo had had a slew of big-name guest appearances in tow- Eminem, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa and Kendrick Lamar- but when the dearly departed Tupac literally materialized out of thin air, the crowd erupted in a frenzy. Of course when I actually saw the hologram with my own two eyes on Weekend 2, the element of surprise no longer existed. Witnessing a deceased rapper appear onstage in hologram form with no prior knowledge of it would have been exciting, but the anticipation of such an event was equally as astonishing. Hologram Tupac was different and innovative; a first of its kind- not to mention completely bad ass.
Coachella is also know for outdoing itself and with such a memorable moment to top, I’ve been pondering the question, what will be the ‘Hologram Tupac moment’ of Coachella 2013? I’ve considered that I may not be giving the headliners enough credit and perhaps an unexpected guest could join to strengthen their sets. Phoenix deserve a high slot on the roster and will assuredly prove that they are headliner material, but could we see a high-profile cameo on their set? It has happened before: Flashback to 2010, to Phoenix’s gig at Madison Square Gardens. Much to the crowds’ surprise and delight, electronic/dance duo Daft Punk joined their friends and fellow French band onstage to close out their set. Each year the Coachella lineup rumors include Daft Punk, but is a surprise guest appearance more plausible this year? The festival notoriously lines up Electric Dance Music bands to keep the crowd hyped well into the evenings- Swedish House Mafia closing down the house in 2012 was epic- but this year there are no EDM artists in the first two lines of any of the three days. Are the festival organizers steering the festival in a different direction or are they orchestrating their next mind-blowing moment? While it may be improbable that Daft Punk would return from a long hiatus to make an unannounced guest appearance instead of playing their own set, my fingers are crossed.
Pulling talent from such a wide array of genres for three full days of music ensures there is something at Coachella for everyone. While disappointments are inevitable (Jeff Magnum and Godspeed! You Black Emperor, I’m talking to you), the overwhelmingly breath-taking moments stack up higher. Coachella is a life-changer. Add that shit to your bucket list.
-Amanda “The Bearded Lady” Best