Coachella '08

Year after year, the announcement of the Coachella Festival has shocked and awed music fans.  Unexpected reunions and stellar lineups have become an annual tradition for the nearly decade old music and arts festival.  Rumors circulate earlier and earlier each year.  In fact, this year someone went to such lengths as to create their own Coachella poster back in November to get the rumor ball rolling.  So what's the big surprise this year?  The lineup blows!!!  OK, maybe it doesn't blow, but it sure isn't what we've become accustomed to.  Perhaps the promoters have a couple of bands up their sleeves, but thus far we're only really excited about one day of the three day festival.  That particular day is Saturday, April 26, which will feature performances from Portishead, Death Cab For Cutie, M.I.A., Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus (of Pavement) and a slew of other acts.  As for the other two days of the festival, highlights include Raconteurs, The Breeders, The National, The Streets, and Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd) performing the epic album The Dark Side Of The Moon.  Not bad, but nothing like years past.  Rumor has it (again with the rumors) that the good lineup is being saved for the inaugural All Points West Festival in New Jersey aka Coachella East.  In defense of Coachella, although the festival is known for huge bands and great reunions, its equally known for being ahead of the curve and breaking countless new bands sitting on the verge of success.  That said, there are about 100 bands on the lineup thus far and there are definitely some rough gems in there waiting to be discovered.  It all happens down in Indio, CA, April 25-27.   For more information on the big day in the desert click here.