Coachella 2008: (Un)Comfortably numb
Day 3, April 27, 2008, in Indio, California
By Melissa Bobbitt
Published: April 28th, 2008 | 12:45pm
Day 3 of Coachella was one day too many for this writer. Still reeling and recovering from the previous night’s foray into the Flogging Molly pit and Prince’s “house” (as the pint-sized provocateur put it), sleep sounded more appealing than journeying to the “Dark Side of the Moon” with Roger Waters. I had every intention of arriving early to catch the Swedish one-two punch of I’m From Barcelona and Shout Out Louds, but an invitation to go get tacos for lunch with my sister was an offer I couldn’t refuse.
Now well nourished and well rested, I arrived just in time for the resilient Canadian collective Stars. These delectable pop rockers are part of the Broken Social Scene family tree (what Canadian musician isn’t?) and they certainly did their patriarchs proud under the unforgiving sun. Buoyant frontman Torquil Campbell joked about the appropriateness of their 2005 song “Set Yourself on Fire” in the crispy weather, but the group never drooped due to the heat.
The temperature was hot, and so was politics on Sunday. Sean Penn (yes, that Sean Penn) pontificated on two different stages about ending the Iraq War and getting on a bus to New Orleans to help the flood victims. (Darn, I was hoping he was going to perform in a thespian supergroup with David Hasselhoff — who I ended up taking a picture with during Gogol Bordello’s set!) And the aforementioned Campbell dedicated “The Soft Revolution” to Barack Obama (Sample lyrics: “We are here to save your life.”)
Though he, too, brandished Obama’s name — on a giant inflatable pig’s underbelly — Roger Waters was there to melt your brain. During the former Floyder’s extended performance, psychedelic montages flashed onstage, pyrotechnics gave the first few rows a nice tan, and that fabled pig probably confused the hell out of the FAA once its strings were cut loose. Shine on, you crazy diamond.
The musicianship was ace as well. Violin virtuoso Lili Haydn joined Waters for a newer track, “Leaving Beirut.” And classics like “Wish You Were Here” felt potent as ever. But, in all honestly, for a gal that was terrified by the film version of The Wall, I couldn’t help but feel a little lost. It’s commendable that Coachella changes with the times, but why High Times? I came to party, not to tune in, turn on, and drop out.
I slinked away from my posse, who were still grooving away to Waters, to snuggle into the Sahara tent for Justice. The duo's ebullience, even at this late hour, was infectious. It was the perfect forum to blow off steam and shimmy — if I could even move my aching limbs by then.
Outside of Gogol Bordello’s raucous gypsy punk extravaganza, Sunday was my mellower day. I gravitated toward Spiritualized as its twee gospels beckoned a sparse but attentive crowd. And later in the same tent, Sia soothed with her jazzy, quirky pop. Illuminated by neon flowers, the stage was the ideal locale for an evening cool down. The Aussie was so at ease, she admitted to fans, “That (song) gave me a front and back wedgie!”
Other standout acts included Kid Sister, who could very well inherit Missy Elliot’s crown as the most important female rapper out there. Fingers were popping as she and collaborator A-Trak spit out the glamour anthem “Pro Nails.” Expect big things from this Chicago chick soon. Also entertaining in the Gobi tent were Sons and Daughters. Straight out of Glasgow, this quartet combines skritchy garage rock with the club swagger of the Gossip. Vocalist Adele Bethel was a vision in gold sequins.
So the musical utopia that is Coachella again comes to a close. We had some laughs (some bloke sporting a Borat-like G-string was frolicking in the field on Sunday.) We shed some tears (trying to get out of the parking lot after Prince’s set was beyond frustrating.) We ate ($9 cheeseburgers — egads!) We drank (getting soused on Heineken for Flogging Molly was blasphemous in the eyes of the Guinness gods.) We were merry (Kim Deal’s maniacal cackle is second to none.) And we can’t wait for next year.
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