Coachella 2007 Adam & Kyle Report

Adam was lucky enough to get a shot of Bjorks husband Bjob.

Hello everyone. Kyle and I just got back from three wild days at Coachella. What a blast. We've got a massive report for you right here. Keep in mind that the two of us have similar musical tastes (as you'll clearly notice on our best of fest lists), but we attempted to be as diverse as possible. The two of us went it alone this year, so there's a lot to cover. The Boneman was busy holding down the fort while Ryan, Andy, and many of the other music reporters couldn't make the trip this year. On a final note, The Boneman did embellish a bit with his latest column. Coachella 2007 was an adventure, but it wasn't quite the adventure he made it out to be. God damn hilarious nevertheless. On with the report.

COACHELLA 2007! TWO MASSIVE PERSPECTIVES!

KYLE ENGLAND'S TAKE

Ah Coachella, how I've missed you so. Last year I missed the festival due to personal reasons and it was the first I'd missed since 2002. No surprise then that my 5th excursion into the hot Indio, California desert was the most excited I'd been for the festival since my very first when Bjork and Oasis headlined back in the day. Seems ironic that my Coachella experience has come full circle with Bjork headlining one of the days again this year, and Adam Mast and myself being the only two correspondents on the beat, just like year one. 2007's edition can easily be summed up in one simple phrase: the year of the reunion. It was also the first time a Coachella festival was three days long instead of two. Obviously, the big name on everyone's lips was of course, the re-emergence of Rage Against the Machine. Ten years have passed since the revolutionary and highly political band have played live and in these times of political turmoil now seems as good as any to make their big comeback. But they weren't the only ones who descended upon the desert to make a big reunion splash. The Jesus & Mary Chain, Crowded House and Happy Mondays (all massively influential in their 80's heyday) also made their first appearances in quite some time and all these bands together helped make the Coachella festival do something it had never done before: sell-out months in advance.

Mr. Mast and I arrived to Coachella Friday afternoon with plenty of sunscreen and giddy smiles in tow. The first band that we checked out wasn't even a band at all; it was the Comedians of Comedy hosted by Comedy Central staple Patton Oswalt. Oswalt and his league of comedians were a great primer of laughter getting myself and the crowd in a festive mood for this marathon festival. Artists such as Arctic Monkeys, Jarvis Cocker (formerly of the vastly underrated Pulp), House legends Faithless and good ol' Bjork herself helped to make Friday an excellent day one as well. Saturday ended up being 107 degrees at its worst (the hottest day ever on record for the Coachella festival) and took its toll on Adam and I. We were exhausted and dead tired from the heat alone, but that didn't stop me from enjoying crackin' great sets from bands such as Fountains of Wayne, Roky Erickson (formerly of the 60's psychedelic legends 13th Floor Elevators) and LCD Soundsystem. Andrew Bird was so good that he made a crowd of guys that were standing beside me that had never heard of him go directly over to the Virgin Megastore tent and buy his new album (or so they said they were going to). Kings of Leon, Travis and Sparklehorse didn't disappoint either. (I was even privy enough to get to meet super-producer Danger Mouse at the Horse's set). Day three found Adam and I in uncharted waters. As stated before, never had their been a third day and it showed as Adam and I dragged ass to wonderful sets from Explosions In the Sky, The Roots, The Lemonheads and the incomparable Country legend Willie Nelson. Nelson's birthday happened to coincide with his performance and he was serenaded with Happy Birthday from the appreciative crowd. The aforementioned Crowded House and Rage Against the Machine closed the festival with rousing sets and sent 60,000 people that day home with memories they will never forget. Five bands I've failed to mention yet however offered, in my mind, the most quintessential performances of the three-day event. The five performances that went down as legendary in my book this weekend from bottom to top were:

5. Grizzly Bear/Tapes N' Tapes (tie): I know it's a copout to have a tie, but that's just how equally great these two new up and coming bands were. Tapes N' Tapes were just so dead on musically that they had the Mojave tent bouncing and Grizzly Bear have to be one on the best harmonizing live bands I have ever seen. If you ever get a chance to see either band, don't think about it just do yourself a favor and go.

4. The Jesus & Mary Chain: I know Rage was all the…well…you know this weekend, but for my money this was the reunion that payed the most dividends. Jim and William Reid proved that they still have it and their set of classics was like getting wrapped in a warm blanket in an already too warm climate. Scarlett Johansson even came out and sang back up on "Just Like Honey." She's so sexy, how could this performance not make the top 5?

3. Rodrigo Y Gabriela: These Mexican masters of the acoustic guitar have gotten word of mouth buzz from their instrumental self-titled release but when word gets out about their fiery live show these former metalheads won't be a secret much longer. Covers of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" had the crowd singing and clapping along for 45 minutes straight. Who needs vocalists when your crowd can do all the work for you?

2. Of Montreal: For a band that has nine studio LP's in their back pocket it sure took Kevin Barnes and company long enough to get noticed. Noticed they were when just a month ago Barnes played a show in Las Vegas completely nude and let his…Hissing Fauna hang out. Thankfully that wasn't on display here (this is a family style festival for Pete's sake) but what was on display was a band that has honed their skills into a live spectacle. Costumes, make-up and even multiple costume changes in only a 50-minute set kept the crowd in awe. It also helps that the band is tighter than a fully corked wine and twice as tasty in the ear-candy department.

1. The Arcade Fire: Honestly this wasn't even a close decision. This weekend there was The Arcade Fire and then everyone else at least three steps behind. Win Butler and company in just three short years have become one of the most elite performers in all of the music world. The only bands that have even come close to matching the intensity of this Canadian juggernaut are for me personally, U2, Radiohead and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and that's it. 40,000 fans singing along at the top of their lungs to every single word will give anyone the chills and for over an hour The Arcade Fire made history in solidifying their place as surely one of the greatest performing bands of this decade.

Biggest Disappointment of 2007: This year I have two. One would be the resounding thud of Happy Mondays lame performance. Technical difficulties galore and an uninterested Shaun Ryder reading the lyrics off a teleprompter the entire set gave way to boos from British fans who'd traveled a long distance behind Adam and I and may I say, rightfully so. The other disappointment has nothing to do with another band but actually fans of a certain group. Hundreds of fans of Rage Against the Machine booed and heckled legends like Willie Nelson, Crowded House and Manu Chao while waiting for the one band they wanted to see. Now, I understand being excited to see Rage, hell even I was excited, but those people should be ashamed of themselves and I'm sure all four members of the band would be ashamed to know that a few hundred of their so-called fans acted like complete jack-asses. They didn't ruin the festival, but they surely put a damper on it for thousands and to those people I say shame on you.

Well, that's it for this year and may I say I hope that the promoters at Goldenvoice keep with this three-day format. Even though it was completely exhausting, it was the most fun I'd ever had there yet and I'm sure that having an extra day of all out fun had a little to do with that. Until next year Coachella, I bid you adieu.

ADAM MAST'S TAKE

Coachella is, quite simply, the most amazing rock festival the U.S. has to offer. I bare no ill will towards other festival staples (i.e. Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Vegoose, etc.) I think it all boils down to a sentimental thing. This was my sixth trip to Coachella (which takes place in the smoldering Indio desert) and, as was the case during my first festival journey back in 2002, it was just myself and Zboneman.com music reporter Kyle England on hand to cover. Last year, my good friend and colleague Kyle was unable to attend due to a hectic schedule, but this year, there was no way he was missing it. And in fact, I have him to thank for making the trip more affordable. Working for Delta Airlines certainly has it's perks.

We arrived in Moreno Valley (a town sixty miles from Indio) the evening before the festival. We quickly got settled in and prepared to get plenty of sleep for the long days ahead. You see, Coachella is usually two days long, but this year, promoters Goldenvoice decided to give us three glorious days. And while that's a good thing, it's also a tiring thing. Attending a standing room only rock festival, fifty thousand strong, in 107 degrees weather is kind of like running a marathon, so we knew plenty of sleep the night before was positively required. Of course, like idiots, we opted to go to a nearby sports bar to watch the Jazz beat up on the Rockets in game three of the first round playoff series. Not surprisingly, most of the folks at the bar were there to see the Lakers. We sort of stuck out like a sore thumb. Anyway, as it turns out, the lack of sleep didn't really take the toll we thought it would. Thankfully, many of the bands we saw on day one, happened to be playing on indoor stages. Actually, they were tents. While it was still incredibly hot, at least we had a little bit of shade to protect us from heat exhaustion.

Day One was a blast providing several interesting surprises. Now, given that there were so many bands to see, sometimes, we were unable to see entire sets. Inevitable crossovers made it near impossible to see everyone. Having said that, it was nice that the festival was spread out over the course of three days. Ultimately, we were able to see more noteworthy bands. On day one, I was lucky enough to catch Noisettes (indie rock akin to Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Rufus Wainwright (highly theatric pop sung with sheer gusto), Arctic Monkeys (high energy Brit rock from a band I always kind of found overrated – I didn't find them overrated after seeing them live), Jarvis Cocker (the cheeky Pulp front man knocked it out of the park with an infectious solo set), and the legendary Bjork (I've seen the Icelandic queen several times, and she never ceases to amaze me). Kyle and I were even treated to a little stand up comedy earlier on in the day (read about it in his massive, detailed report). The most surreal moment came during Bjork's set. As I lay there, completely exhausted, Kyle nudges me. I look up and there's Rufus Wainwright walking over me...literally. He would have stepped on my hand if I hadn't moved it in time.

Day Two would find us back in action a little more well rested than the night before. I caught Fountains of Wayne (they played a tight set–so tight, that I wasn't even bothered that they left the their biggest hit– "Stacy's Mom" –off the set list), Roky Erickson (a legendary guitarist from 13th Floor Elevators, proving in a live setting why he's considered a legend), The Black Keys (a masterful two piece whose high energy of play reminds me of The White Stripes), Sparklehorse (dreary and somber but absolutely mesmerizing–an underrated talent to be sure), Travis (these likable Scottish lads are personal favorites, and they sounded great-- granted, them playing "Why Does it Always Rain on Me" didn't make much sense given the God forsaken heat. Perhaps it was a metaphor), The New Pornographers (a fun set, but Neko Case was nowhere to be found, so it really wasn't The New Pornographers), LCD Soundstystem (an absolutely stellar performance consisting of techno fused tracks laced with odes to all the artists music geek and lead orchestrator James Murphy loves so very much–a rousing set), The Good, the Bad, and The Queen (an all star super group comprised of Blur's Damon Albarn and The Clash's Paul Simonon, . the band sounded tight, but somehow, I expected more). Highlight of the evening? Getting to meet Danger Mouse during Sparlehorse's set. Kyle spotted him walking around, and suggested we go talk to him. What an amazingly humble guy. It was a thrill just getting to shake his hand.

Day Three was tough. Not only were we in uncharted waters (again, this was the first time Coachella went to the three day format) but we were more exhausted than ever because it took us over ninety minutes to get out of the damn parking lot the night before. What a nightmare! Still, there would be plenty going on during Day Three to keep us on our toes. For starters, it was incredibly crowded. Not surprising given that Rage Against the Machine would be closing out the festivities. Our final day brought us Grizzly Bear (amazing, indie rock with beautiful harmonizing. Kyle referred to them as slowed down Beach Boys. A perfect description), Explosions in the Sky (intense, instrumental rock. I didn't think it would translate well in a live setting. I was wrong.), Willie Nelson (a lot of fun even if the country legend did feel a tad out of place. It was Nelson's birthday making the proceedings all the more special.), The Roots (one of hip hop's finest. Philly's legendary rap outfit had the entire crowd in a rhythmic frenzy), Crowded House (this 80's pop staple from New Zealand had a tough assignment; play less than two hours before Rage. Still, Neil Finn and crew shined through even as they were being booed off the stage by thousands of obnoxious and ignorant Rage fans. Finn has an amazing voice. He can take the most sentimental of lyrics and sing them in a way that simply gives one chills. A great performance.), The Lemonheads (Evan Dando and crew had an even tougher assignment than Crowded House. They were forced to play at the same time as Rage Against the Machine. Even though the audience was small, Dando was in a great mood. At one point, the sound from Rage's set was so loud, that Dando stopped mid song and asked the crowd if that was "Rage Against Miami Sound Machine playing on the other stage?"–Hilarious!), and last, but certainly not least, Rage Against the Machine (a legendary band back to perform in politically turbulent times. They were loud, intense and meaningful. Unfortunately, the majority of their fans were just loud.)

You may have noticed that there were a few bands that played that I haven't even mentioned. That's because I've saved them for the illustrious Top 5. Here they are.

5. LILY ALLEN
This British sensation is a breath of fresh air, particularly in the pop world. Not only is she a great vocalist, but she's incredibly clever to boot. Infusing catchy hooks, witty lyrics, and a touch of ska, Allen emerged as the queen of spunk. She dazzled the crowd with tunes from her debut album, but the highlight of her set was a brilliant cover of Blondie's Heart of Glass. I could have done without that tune about small penises though. That hurt!

4. THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
For my money, The Jesus and Mary Chain was the strongest of the reunited acts at Coachella 2007. It's as if this late 80's early 90's goth rock staple never left. The set was straight forward but intense, and it ended with a brilliant rendition of Just Like Honey, complete with Lost in Translation star Scarlett Johansson assisting with back up vocals. Simply awesome!

3. THE DECEMBERISTS/OF MONTREAL
Yes, a tie is often considered a cop out but Kyle did it on his list, so I'm doing it mine. The Decemberists' Colin Meloy is a musical genius. The way he tells stories through his inspired folk songs is a marvel to behold. Simply put, The Decemberists are pure magic. Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes by contrast is one of the most entertaining front men you're ever going to see (just recently at a show in Las Vegas, he did the unthinkable–in the middle of his set, he dropped trou and performed the rest of the show in the buff). He's a terrific song writer, but it's his sure handed showmanship that makes Of Montreal a band to watch.

2. RODRIGO Y GABRIELA
Hailing from Mexico, Rodrigo Y Gabriela got their start playing in a thrash metal band in their homeland. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Ireland for a while, where they honed their masterful acoustic guitar playing skills. Now, their ready to take the world by storm. Whether their doing covers of familiar tunes like "Enter Sandman" and "Stairway to Heaven" or ripping into mind blowing originals, it's apparent that there's nothing this dynamic duo can't play. They shred with technical accuracy and effortless ease. What's more, they have a playful swagger that's endearing rather then off putting. They were the big surprise of the festival.

1. THE ARCADE FIRE
No surprise here. I suppose I'm biased because I love this band so much, but I can't help it. Canada's The Arcade Fire is the most exciting, energetic, live band to hit the scene since Radiohead, and if you haven't seen them, you don't know what your missing. I suppose what's most startling is the fact that they're still a young band. They only have two records to their credit, but they have the confidence of seasoned veterans. The band is comprised of over ten accomplished musicians, and all do their part to bring something exciting to the creative table. Lead vocalist Win Butler is quickly acquitting himself as one of the premiere front men. He's intense but he has an accessibility that reminds me quite a bit of Bono. For an hour and fifteen minutes, The Arcade Fire had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Their passionate sing along rendition of Wake Up gave me chills, and in the final moments of the awe inspiring set, Butler jumped off the stage and walked amongst the massive sea of people, crooning his heart out. For other bands, this might have played as a predictable moment. For The Arcade Fire, it was a perfectly rousing finale for the most amazing set of the weekend. The Arcade Fire is here to stay.

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE
TAPES ‘N TAPES
Kyle and moonlighting music connoisseur Ryan Slack have been pushing Tapes ‘n Tapes for quite a while, and now I see why. This amazing indie rock band has sort of become a Cinderella success story. Their debut record Loon was self produced (after being rejected by several labels), and quickly spread amongst the music world like wild fire. Now, they're well on their way to stardom and deservedly so. All at once fragmented and cohesive, Tapes ‘n Tapes' tunes recall the heyday of noisy indie rock (think legendary staples like Pavement, The Pixies, and Sonic Youth), and they play with fiery intensity in a live setting. I had no expectations going into this performance, and now I can't wait to hear what these guys do next.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
I whole heartedly share Kyle's assessment of both Happy Mondays (dullsville) and the legions of obnoxious Rage fans, many of whom had zero respect for those around them. Rage is an iconic band, but these so called fans seemed to forget that they were at a festival show. This was not a Rage concert! I like Rage too and have seen the band on various stages. I've seen them play on their own (twice) and as openers (for U2), and never have I come across fans as ignorant as the ones here. This isn't to say that all the folks at Coachella there to watch Rage were complete douche bags, but the guilty parties certainly know who they are. To those, I say this; Many of the bands that played the main stage that day are bands that Rage happen to be fans of. Yes, Rage is about anger, but they're also about respect. Maybe you should be too. In addition to ignorant Rage fans, I got me fill of idiotic festival goers as well. One girl, who we were standing a good two feet in front of, even had the balls to tell us to move . I stood there dumbfounded. Did she even realize this was a general admission show? I explained to her that Kyle and I planned on moving closer to the stage, but that someone else would, no doubt, stand in front of her eventually. She then stated she wanted some space. In a sarcastic tone, I told her; "Good luck with that." Kyle had a hearty laugh over that one.

On a final disappointing note, I wish Coachella would have put Amy Winehouse on a bigger stage. She sounded great, but I couldn't tell you how she looked because I couldn't get anywhere near her.

In the end, this one of the most fond Coachella experiences I've ever had. The festival just seems to run smoother each year. Yes, there were some ignorant festival goers on hand, and yes, traffic was a bitch, but these are unavoidable scenarios. Ultimately it was a breathtaking weekend.

A special shout out to music guru Kyle England who proved that Coachella isn't just about good bands, but about good friends as well. Bro-chella is probably a more appropriate title for this amazing festival.