I’ve been meaning to post about this but I guess I’ve been so mad about it, I forgot. Coachella is only selling 3 day passes this year. There are no one day tickets. So If I want to go to only Day 3 to see Pavement and Gorillaz, I have to pay $269 freaking dollars. That is insane. I really hope this new venture will fail miserably, but I know it won’t because concerts are no longer for actual music fans, they are for rich people who don’t even care what show they are going to. I have seen more evidence to this fact when I do actually make it out to a show and I see more and more people talking and not even paying attention to the set, getting completely drunk so they won’t even remember the show, and other ridiculous displays of non-cool show behavior. I am aware I probably sound like an old man ranting about this, but I really don’t care. Live Nation and the big promoters are ruining live music as we know it. I guess I’ll stick to the small local shows, but I really do miss the big concerts. Perhaps if the fans stop handing these crooks their money by the bushel they would be forced to change. One can dream.
If you are not doing anything on April 3rd you really need to buy a ticket to The New Limb’s album release show at The House of Blues in Anaheim. Yes, there’s been some great albums this year so far but I am not lying in saying this one is probably my most anticipated. I know I gush quite a bit about these guys on here, but they deserve it. They are definitely one of the most talented and charismatic bands I’ve seen perform in ages and from what I hear their debut full length will not disappoint. Also, they recently won Best Indie Band at the OC Music Awards, so if that doesn’t say something, I don’t know what does. I am saddened by the fact that I will be out of town that weekend but I know there will be plenty more chances to see the band as they are only going to get bigger after this monumental show!
OK, first question: What is the deal with the question marks next to Thom Yorke? Does that mean Radiohead is playing? Is it Thom Yorke and unknown guests? Is there some new band I don’t know about called the Question Marks? Either way, Day 3 definitely sounds awesome and I am really going to have to consider braving the crowds and the heat to see Pavement, Gorillaz, Thom Yorke and who knows, De La freaking Soul, Gary Numan (I wonder if his mentions on The Mighty Boosh have anything to do with this resurgence), and tons of other great bands. The other days look good, don’t get me wrong. I mean, I’d consider going to Day 1 just to see The Specials, but Day 3 really is irresistible for me. I wonder if the Gorillaz are going to do that crazy Pepper’s Ghost thing they’ve done with some of their previous live shows so the characters are actually on stage. That would be NUTS. Now I just have to stock up on SPF 50 sunscreen as Manta Rays burn pretty quickly. Can’t wait!
So the lineup for Coachella is starting to shape up and I am beginning to think I might brave the sweaty masses of humans this time around. I haven’t been to Coachella since 2004 and that was pretty insane. I nearly lost a chunk of my fin during The Pixies and someone thought I was an inflatable toy during The Flaming Lips. But Devo is confirmed as well as Muse and Phoenix and if even a third of the “Heavily Rumored” bands show up, I will be in heaven. If Pavement is there I will go no matter what. Wowee Zowee indeed.
