Will we ever get past Radiohead?

As most have seen by now, the Bonnaroo Lineup has been announced (see below, via PSNYC)and the early consensus is that it blows Coachella out of the water. I must admit, it looks pretty fun and I may take a trip to Manchester this year to see it for myself. (historic CV side note: I was gonna go to Bonnaroo two years ago, but minutes before I was about to buy my tickets, I found out I had a big family get-together I couldn't skip out on. From that point on, I decided instead to go see as many shows that summer as I could in the city, which pretty much coincided with the beginning of this blog. Nearly two years later...here we are)

Anyway, my question is...what reasonable and realistic headliner would have satisfied the Coachella fans? It feels like there's Radiohead, then...nobody really. My Bloody Valentine? Smashing Pumpkins? Lets be serious. I while back I asked what would it take to go see a show at The Meadowlands or Nassau Colosseum. Barring the rise of the dead, Radiohead seemed to be the only answer I got. Are they the only completely impenetrable arena act? Anyone else would either be too small or too lame. I ask you now, dear readers...who would we rather see headline Coachella? Who would we not complain about incessantly?

Honestly, I know very little about Tool. I hear they put on a pretty amazing live show however and seem well respected musically. I also have to believe that there is a reason why the final lineup hasn't been posted on the Coachella website yet. There are so many rumors floating around about why bands are or aren't playing I can hardly keep track anymore. Point is, there will be more than enough good (excellent) music to go see. I mean seriously. Last year, the music was fun, but the whole experience of living out in the desert for a weekend was what my memories are made of. The best times were prolly had back at our house anyway. If anybody from New York is really only going for the chance to see all these bands, you're better off staying home and keeping a close eye on ticketweb. We get everybody. But I think you'd prolly be missing the point.

Back to Bonnaroo...There are a lot of fun bands playing. But seriously. Take Radiohead out of there, and what are you left with? A solid festival with maybe a quarter of the bands you would actually care to see compared to Coachella. Some are better, for sure, but some are just different. I'm over it. Both will be a trip, no doubt. Just saying that if you're gonna pick one over the other, there's more to it than just the lineups.

And to be honest, all this "Coachella sucks, I'm going to Bonnaroo" talk reminds me of the (same?) people who said they'd move to Canada if Bush got re-elected. My guess is you still live in Williamsburg and you're still heading to Palm Springs in April. Tough life.

BONNAROO MUSIC FESTIVAL | JUNE 16-18 | MANCHESTER, TN
Radiohead * Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers * Elvis Costello & the Imposters * Beck * Bonnie Raitt * Death Cab for Cutie * moe. * Bright Eyes * The Neville Brothers * Bela Fleck & the Flecktones * Buddy Guy * Damian Marley * Ben Folds * Robert Randolph & the Family Band * Dr. John * Matisyahu * G. Love & Special Sauce * My Morning Jacket * Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder * Steel Pulse * Mike Gordon and Ramble * Dove * Cat Power * Medeski Martin & Wood * Nickel Creek * Gomez * Steve Earle * Blues Traveler * Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks * Dresden Dolls * Son Volt * Clap Your Hands Say Yeah * Jerry Douglas * Soulive * Rusted Root * Devendra Banhart Band* Donavon Frankenreiter * Mike Doughty * Sasha * Grace Potter & the Nocturnals * The Magic Numbers * Bill Frisell * Seu Jorge * Bettye LaVette * Dungen * Shooter Jennings * Rebirth Brass Band * Robinella * Andrew Bird * Steel Train * Jackie Greene * Devotchka * Wood Brothers * dios (malos) * Toubab Krewe * Marah * I-Nine * Balkan Beat Box * Cat Empire

For what we know of the Coachella lineup so far, see here.

Comments

Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Axl's Guns & Roses

[holmes]

there are some pretty credible rumors being tossed around that the replacements are reuniting for a tour behind a new greatest hits CD due later this year. that would be one band, although not a headliner, that would draw me to coachella. right now, bonnaroo has some bigger heavyweights. costello, petty, death cab & radiohead are more worth a trip than tool & depeche mode.

[bmk]

i'm with you, jeff...coachella is a rad experience regardless of who is there. the sheer amount of solid bands that you can see there (there are probably 20 bands i'm already pumped to see there) and hop around from tent to tent for two straight days, plus the desert vibe, sun, mountains...it's an awesome event. sure i'd love to see radiohead. whenever they tour again i will be there in whatever-sized arena they play. but ditching coachella because you don't like depeche mode? fuckin' a -- head back early to the tent/house and party your ass off. or drop some e and catch paul oakenfeld's set and some lasers in the raver tent instead. plenty of good options.

[Ryan97ou]

my sentiments exactly...whilc i would love to see radiohead again, i am loving everyone on the coachella line-up, especially the "smaller" bands....aocahella is an experience, not just seeing bands.

[Ryan97ou]

really..i have been waiting for someone to articulate exactly what i feel and this is it...thanks

[Ryan97ou]

DAFT PUNK and EAGLES of DEATH METAL have just been added to the coachella lineup...

[Chris]

Tool is a pretty interesting choice to headline, if it remains that way. To some it would be equal to the Pixies reunion, mainly to the metal crowd, since they've been out of commission for awhile.

[roldy]

coachella line up is a disappointment if you attended last year's event. it's not about the headliners...the smaller bands at last year's festival were much better. second day of 2006 schedule is weak. money doesn't grow on trees so this talk of going there for the experience is stupid. maybe ACL will be better.

[jerry]

I think the second day looks much better than the first personally.

you people are acting like bonnaroo isn't a social experience. Guess what new kids? It's moreso than Coachella.

[jay loose]

jeff, from what i hear superfly still has some big tricks up its sleave for bonn. now i hate myself a hippy, but we should definitely go... if you like MMJ, they are scheduled for a 12 or 1am 2 hour jam session which would pretty much highlight my year of rock. things to consider.

[j]

i think if a smiths reunion would satisfy the coachella crowd.

[rascalnikov]

I think first day is much better, but Editors on day 2? "Is nice!"

[Howie G]

Yes it is better than Coachella but coachella has sucked the last 3 times. This event looks good. Not epic but good. Will be much more a mix of Deadheads vs Ravers. Dead ended in 1995 no reason to live in that past.

BTW Radiohead has only 1 good song...Creep. rest is schlock sorry to be honest and burst your bubbles.

[sohbet]

sohbet