If there's one thing I have to say to all you concert junkies out there, it's that you must attend the Coachella Music and Arts Festival at least once in your life. 75 BANDS OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS IN 110 DEGREE HEAT! It's absolute insanity! It's like running a marathon. But it's all for a great cause. The yearly event takes place near Palm Springs CA. Music guru Kyle England and I have gone for the last three years now, and without a doubt, Coachella 2004 produced the biggest crowds (particularly on day one) yet. Despite the festival being overly crowded and despite having to make tough set choices (there were five stages, and many bands that we wanted to see either played at the same time or crossed over), it really was an amazing time. In fact, I'm still in a state of absolute euphoria. I can't believe such an amazing slate of bands all played the same festival. Since there were so many to choose from, I've opted to just give a glimpse at my top five favorite performances with a few runners up. I've also listed my choice for the biggest disappointment, to which I'm sure many readers will call me insane, especially if you were at the event. Kyle England should have his little wrap up soon as well. Sorry it's taken so long. With all the CDs and films out, we've found ourselves a little backed up. Anyway, this was a tough call, but here we go;

5. ELEFANT
No, I didn't pick these goth rockers because I got to meet them at the festival (check out the cool picture). While that certainly didn't hurt, I put them on this list because lead singer Diego Garcia is absolutely magnetic. Actually, I have Kyle to thank for turning me on to these guys. I heard their record last year and actually prefer it to that outstanding Interpol CD. I was really excited to see these guys perform and they did not disappoint. If you haven't heard their album, I highly recommend it, particularly if your a fan of Joy Division and The Smiths.

4. STELLASTAR
Stellastar emerged as the biggest surprise at the festival, because I had only listened to their CD once or twice, and thought it was just--okay. After seeing their high energy live performance, I have a new found respect for this band and their latest disc. In fact, I've listened to it quite a bit since Coachella and sincerely believe it's one of the best albums of 2004. With shades of David Byrne, Bryan Ferry, and The Pixies, this troop of talented band-mates worked the crowd, and even though they played one of the smaller stages, they received some of the strongest audience support of the entire festival. Outstanding band. Great tunes and a lively spirit.

3. SAGE FRANCIS
Forget Atmosphere. Forget Dizzee Rascal. Forget Heiroglyphics. Sage Francis was the definitive hip hop act at Coachella 2004, and I shower him with this enormous praise even though I only got to witness about half of his hilariously creative set. Truth be told, I had never heard of Francis until a couple of months ago (thanks Nick), and after listening to his blistering, creative free styles and hilarious, pop culture tinged lyrics, I knew that this was a guy to watch for. I'm only sorry I missed his opening number, a cover of Mr. Mister's classic "Broken Wings". Luckily, Kyle was around to tell me all about it. Like Stellastar, Sage had to settle for one of the small stages, but he worked that mutha like it was a sold out stadium. Pick up his CD Personal Journals. It's outstanding. He has a new album due out later this year from Epitaph.

2. RADIOHEAD
You know--I've seen these guys around eight times now and they never cease to amaze me. While their Coachella set was very similar to the show I saw on the Hail to the Thief tour, it hardly mattered. These guys are the ultimate live act, bringing a hyper-kinetic energy (their live version of "Idioteque" has to be seen to be believed), and a sly sense of humor to their exhausting set. Front man Thom Yorke was in great spirits and even gave props to The Pixies (who played an amazing set of their own just before the Brit rock stars hit the stage) and R.E.M. (who, sadly, did not play the festival). What can I say. I love these guys and I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing them. I rank them right up there with U2 and Oingo Boingo as the premiere live acts.

1. FLAMING LIPS
For me, no other band at the festival gave their all quite like alt rockers The Flaming Lips. Even if they did take a little too long to set up. Even if Wayne Coyne was a little long-winded with his political posturing. Even if they did only play...four damn songs (actually it was five, but the fifth didn't count because it was a birthday tune to proud new poppa Beck's newborn baby). Why were they the best' PURE SHOWMANSHIP! First of all, the band set up their own equipment (something that's become a The Flaming Lips trademark)--You have to love that. Secondly, Wayne Coyne entered the stage encased in a huge inflatable ball and crowd surfed in it. I've never seen anything like it. Then, of course, there's the music. While certainly an acquired taste, it's one I've come to love in the past few years. The Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots are brilliant records, and the tunes translate beautifully live. While I wouldn't call The Flaming Lips the best rock band at the Coachella 2004, I loved them nevertheless, and no other act during this exhausting weekend put a bigger smile on my face. These guys are amazing.

RUNNERS UP!

THE PIXIES (it was absolute torture leaving this legendary band out of the top five. These guys are incredibly tight. It's as if they never left.), MUSE, DEATHCAB FOR CUTIE, COOPER TEMPLE CLAUSE, BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, SAHARA HOTNIGHTS, CURSIVE, PHANTOM PLANET, and BRIGHT EYES.

THE "I'M SORRY I MISSED THAT SET" AWARD
DESERT SESSIONS
I'm so upset I missed Desert Sessions. Why did I miss it' I waited an hour in line for a salad and a bottle of water. What a pisser! No doubt, this is going to be on Kyle's list. Be gentle England.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
THE CURE
I'm sure I'll probably take a beating for this one. I'm sorry. They sucked. And before anyone jumps down my throat, I am a fan of the band. Growing up, when many of my friends were listening to crappy hair bands, I was listening to U2, R.E.M. and The Cure. Sadly, Robert Smith wasn't feeling it on this particular night. It is The Cure, so it wasn't like I was expecting a "bouncing off the walls" kind of set, but I did expect a connection, and I didn't get that. They did perform some tunes from their upcoming album, but they were less than impressive. I still have faith in The Cure, but this was the second time I've seen them live, and in both cases, they left me cold. Still, I'll most likely hit The Curiosa tour this summer.

Well, that's it for my Coachella 2004 report. Kyle's should be up shortly. Again, if you've never been, mark your calanders and hit it next year. Just be prepared for unbearable heat. Ahhh, the things we do to see the bands we love.