I just got off an all night flight (spent yesterday enjoying the Venice Beach freak show)...and am in desparate need of sleep - 2 hrs Sat - 2 hrs Sun - & whatever I could scrounge on the plane last night/this morning.
Great feedback above. At a festival like this your perspective is influenced by so much more than only what's actually occurring on stage: e.g., the crowd; the heat; your energy level, etc. Two people could see the same thing & feel pretty differently about it.
All things considered, I'd rank my favorites as:
Radiohead
From where I stood, it looked like one big sing-along dancing party; Thom Yorke was very happy & animated; The setlist selections were great; And an amazing light show that strangely complimented the beautiful natural setting:
The main stage setup @ and around sunset is almost too surreal & beautiful to describe with the mountain ranges silhouetted on all sides/backlit palm trees/spots pointing up to surround the area with an immense light triangle/ and a near-to-full moon.
This set was the defining moment of the festival for me & proved very tough to beat.
<img src="http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/photos/20040502013328_bg16.jpg" alt=" - " />
The Cure
I thought the Cure started a little weak and unsteady - It looked like Smith almost threw a fit early on when he had equipment problems, but he recovered very nicely and I thought they really hit their stride when they played
Pictures of You. The new stuff sounded good - they pulled out some deep tracks & if you like the poppier side of the Cure, then you would have been pretty happy with the entire extended encore (+45 minutes over planned end time].
<img src="http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/photos/20040503015848_bg3.jpg" alt=" - " />
Pixies
I loved the Pixies. They were great. From my vantage pt however - stage left, sound board deep - I was a little disappointed with the crowd. I'm not sure how many people there were really Pixies fans or were just there to see this "important band". No one was singing or even barely moving. It hardly slowed me down, but all I could think about was how I wish I could see them in a small club or even fight to the front were I knew it must be crazy.
<img src="http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/photos/20040502013328_bg14.jpg" alt=" - " />
Kraftwerk
We stayed for the entire Radiohead gig & then shot over to the tent. Strangely we had little trouble getting in. I've never been a big fan (still probably not), but what a show. Especially for closing the first night. 4 guys (sometimes 4 robots) - each facing a P.C. on a skinny pedestal - with The Wall-like imagery being displayed behind them.
I've got friends who are much more into electronic music who are now swearing that this show was one of the best they have EVER seen.
Air
At sunset in the setting described above. Could you set it up any better?! I could have used a feel more chilling moments like this.
Cooper Temple Clause
I didn't get to see their entire set, but caught enough to realize this is a band I need to see again. I think they'd be ferocious in a smaller venue.
Disappointments
Flaming Lips
They started very late & I think it ruined their pacing. Wayne Coyne walking on the crowd in the "big bubble from outer space" was a great start, but it broke down pretty quickly after that. The crowd wasn't very receptive to his politicizing and they seemed to be trying to force all of their gimicks into a very short compressed set (<45 minutes). Or maybe this is just a band that you only need to see once.
<img src="http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/photos/20040503015848_bg1.jpg" alt=" - " />
Dizzee Rascal
So much hype & I couldn't have been more disppointed. We only lasted about 3 songs. You could barely make out anything he was saying which eliminates nearly all of the charm of his record.
Some general comments:
I couldn't agree more about how cool the crowd was. Especially on Saturday. No doubt the best concert vibe I have been a part of. Sunday started to get a little HFStival-ish at times, but it's tough to level any criticism at all when most were so very well behaved.
<img src="http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/photos/20040502013328_bg1.jpg" alt=" - " />
There was no line either day to get in when we arrived (@ 2:00-3:00 each day). I had read and been prepared for long long waits. The only things searched were bags. Not even a cursory body pat down. I'm actually surprised there were any drug related arrests at all. They sure weren't trying very hard. I can only imagine what you would have had to do to get arrested for a drug related charge since at every turn I either saw it or smelled it. Not a criticism, but rather a comment on the very tolerant vibe.
While VERY VERY hot, I didn't find it intolerable. They provided quite a few options for finding a bit of shade and for getting h2o. The shade however didn't help much in the music tents. I was sweating during the Black Keys set like I was sitting in a steam room.
Overall I think that the Coachella organizers have done a magnificent job of creating what has to be one of the greatest experiences a music lover could ever want. Once I recover & get some sleep I'm sure I will feel exactly like Bunnyman - that it truly was one of the best things I've done.
