Friday, May 04, 2007
Coachella wrap-up
We're too old for this. Or at least too ornery.
We never did get to see Sonic Youth or Bjork last Friday at Coachella, because we left early to avoid getting stuck in another monster traffic jam like the one we encountered on the way in. And as it turned out, Sonic Youth didn't take the stage until much later than scheduled.
But we did get to see Scarlett Johansson sing with The Jesus & Mary Chain.
My previous festival experience had been the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which arranges the two big stages at either end of a figure-eight loop (see map). Scattered along the way are smaller tents, arts exhibits and great food. There are plenty of options for getting to the venue, and it's over in time for dinner.
Compare that to the one road through town going to the Polo Grounds at Coachella, with an ugly merge every half-mile or so. Then, once you enter the grounds with its L-shaped layout (see the Coachella festival map), you'd get bottled up in various choke points, with very few places where you could comfortably listen to one and only one band.
We did enjoy the fire and lightning shows, the giant spider, and the various structures erected to allow people to take a break from the sun.
Anyway, here's a map of how they should lay out the festival next year.
UPDATE: Here's a review highlighting the key demographic of the festival - college kids smuggling booze.
We never did get to see Sonic Youth or Bjork last Friday at Coachella, because we left early to avoid getting stuck in another monster traffic jam like the one we encountered on the way in. And as it turned out, Sonic Youth didn't take the stage until much later than scheduled.
But we did get to see Scarlett Johansson sing with The Jesus & Mary Chain.
The reunited Jesus and Mary Chain drew cheers from the large crowd that by now had amassed in front of the stage. Despite the fact that they hadn't toured since 1998, the band was in sync and even played new music. Toward the end of their set they brought out actress Scarlett Johansson, who did backup vocals during "Just Like Honey." There was no introduction, and it seemed as if most of the audience had no idea who was up there. Her vocals, which consisted of her repeating "just like honey," were drowned out by the guitars, and she just looked uncomfortable.Here's a review from Los Angeles City Beat that captures the overall experience. Especially the heat, the traffic, and the fact that you either had to fight through the crowd to stand next to a high-decibel column of speakers or accept the fact that you'd have to listen to at least two bands at once.Catherine Garcia, Redlands Daily Facts, May 3, 2007
My previous festival experience had been the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which arranges the two big stages at either end of a figure-eight loop (see map). Scattered along the way are smaller tents, arts exhibits and great food. There are plenty of options for getting to the venue, and it's over in time for dinner.
Compare that to the one road through town going to the Polo Grounds at Coachella, with an ugly merge every half-mile or so. Then, once you enter the grounds with its L-shaped layout (see the Coachella festival map), you'd get bottled up in various choke points, with very few places where you could comfortably listen to one and only one band.
We did enjoy the fire and lightning shows, the giant spider, and the various structures erected to allow people to take a break from the sun.
Anyway, here's a map of how they should lay out the festival next year.
UPDATE: Here's a review highlighting the key demographic of the festival - college kids smuggling booze.
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