April 25, 2006

Gearing up for Coachella

So, Mike and I are planning to venture out on a crazy road-trip this weekend. It's looking like we'll be stopping in Three Rivers, CA to visit Elizabeth, as we make our way down to Indio, CA for the second day of the 2006 Coachella Valley Music Festival.

In years past, I have always looked on at the Coachella concerts with a bit of envy -- I would like to go, but it is just so blasted far away, that I have never been able to get the motivation together to go. I was even going to sit out this year, even though two of my favorites, Tool and Sleater-Kinney, are playing.

What pushed me over the edge, however, was when I found that Massive Attack is playing at Coachella. Massive Attack almost never tours, especially on these shores. So that, combined with the aforementioned two bands, all playing on the same day (which means I can save a lot of money by only attending that one day), really sealed the deal.

But aside from my favorites, I'm also going to try and see Seu Jorge, Youth Group, Minus the Bear, Wolf Parade (Stan is way into them), Matisyahu, Bloc Party, and the Go! Team. I've actually never even heard anything for the last 3 bands, so I'm planning on going in "totally blind" -- we'll see how it goes.

The planning and preparations are in pretty good shape at this point. I have the tickets in hand, bought some supplies, and booked a hotel. I just have to print out some directions, and pray that my car survives the mass of miles it is about to receive.

-Andy.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Posted by andyr at April 25, 2006 12:47 AM
Comments

Wow. Maybe I just shouldn't have looked at the list to keep from getting jealous. Ah well, if I really wanted to do something like this, I would angle for the Sasquatch festival up here.

A couple more bands I would recommend seeing, if you have time:

- Lyrics Born (funk / hip-hop)
- Cat Power (indie chick rock - Eric Dann favorite from back in the day)
- My Morning Jacket (rock)
- Jamie Lidell (soul)
- Los Amigos Invisibles (they opened a Soul Coughing show in Cleveland once, that's all you need to know)
- Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (indie rock)

Oh, and I second all of your last three picks.

Posted by: Justin Martenstein at April 25, 2006 8:56 AM

Listen to Justin. If you're going to do one hip hop act, forget Matisyahu and see Lyrics Born instead (he's from the Bay, show a local kid some love). Mastisyahu has too much flash-in-the-pan appeal for my taste.

Are you sure there's no time to check out Madonna in the dance tent? If you were to see her on her stadium tour, it'd cost bank... but you're already there! It's like seeing her for free! Go white boy, go!

(Here's where you're glad Mike is going with you and not me.)

Posted by: Sara at April 25, 2006 1:52 PM

My respect for the Reitz family just went up three notches. Ditto on Matisyahu.

Posted by: Justin Martenstein at April 25, 2006 3:34 PM

Man, I'm envious ;-)

Hope you have a great festival!

Posted by: Fredrik Vraalsen at April 25, 2006 11:07 PM