The Big Three: What more could you want?
The day this issue hits stands, Paul McCartney will close off the first night of the 2009 Coachella festival. Last week we turned up the volume on this year's Music Festival season and threw out the hypothetical argument, with all else aside, which Music and Arts festival has the most seducing line-up. Focus has been on The Big Three: Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. The curtain opens in Indio, California.
In Part 1, it was understood that McCartney will give an impeccable show. It won't be hard on the ears listening to the all day array of bands like Silversun Pickups, The Black Keys, Girl Talk, Leonard Cohen, Franz Ferdinand and Morrissey who all precede Sir Paul but sit on top of a couple dozen Indy acts you'll be Youtubing after the festival.
Next on the menu, Bonnaroo.
From June 11-14 you get to camp out in a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee some 60 miles south east of Nashville. At a price of $250 you are about $20 less than Coachella, but you are only offered the weekend pass not individual day access.
A few notable acts making the trip east from Coachella; The Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Public Enemy, Girl Talk and TV on the Radio will go two for two out of The Big Three.
So, who parallels the prodigious shrine McCartney filled in Indio? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band step in to the legendary rocker position. It's not McCartney, but The Boss can definitely rock!
All ‘Roo faithful were likely ecstatic to see Phish on the bill playing not once but twice! Elvis Costello and Al Green add more veteran experience, but it will be interesting to see how they fit in with younger acts MGMT, Ben Harper and the Relentless7, The Mars Volta and The Decembrists. To put it modestly, Wilco will definitely gather a crowd. NIN, for some reason, still has a large following even though it is just Trent Reznor on stage pushing a bunch of buttons. And the Beastie Boys, it seems are everywhere this year, but will forever be cool.
And just for fun, Bonnaroo invited the one the only, Snoop Dogg. It is interesting to think “why is Snoop playing the 'Biggest Hippy Festival' in North American.” There can really only be one thing the 6'4 rapper and a field full of hippies could have in common.
Still not impressed? Well, Lollapalooza will announce their line up April 21. The Chicago Tribune and Billboard.com have tooted acts that “have been confirmed by outside sources.” Apparently the 2009 Lollapalooza line-up will include, you ready for this, Depeche Mode, Beastie Boys, Jane's Addiction, Kings of Leon, Tool and The Killers as headliners. Supporting cast offers artists like Lou Reed, The Decemberists, Peter Bjorn and John and Fleet Foxes. All for the advanced price of $190!
Depeche Mode is fresh off new material and you can expect them to sound great in front of a lit up downtown Chicago.
Perhaps the biggest band of 2008, Kings of Leon will shine in a headlining spot, with a little more time to dabble in their four studio albums. Beastie Boys and The Killers look to be taking advantage of the high profiled stages this summer. Lollapalooza loyals will roll out the red carpet for Tool and as well for Jane's Addiction, who will be great but really no surprise since lead singer Perry Ferrell conceived the festival.
Is there anything else you could ask for?
So which one of these makes the grade? Is there a certain gem that shines above the rest of the list. It's unfortunate that British Columbia's Pemberton Festival is on hiatus after a spectacular debut last year, and it will be worth the time took take a look at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal and to wait what Virgin Festival will offer along its trip through the continent. But nonetheless with some of the world's best musicians gathering in cities all over North America this season, where will you be? Good luck.
In Part 1, it was understood that McCartney will give an impeccable show. It won't be hard on the ears listening to the all day array of bands like Silversun Pickups, The Black Keys, Girl Talk, Leonard Cohen, Franz Ferdinand and Morrissey who all precede Sir Paul but sit on top of a couple dozen Indy acts you'll be Youtubing after the festival.
Next on the menu, Bonnaroo.
From June 11-14 you get to camp out in a 700 acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee some 60 miles south east of Nashville. At a price of $250 you are about $20 less than Coachella, but you are only offered the weekend pass not individual day access.
A few notable acts making the trip east from Coachella; The Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Public Enemy, Girl Talk and TV on the Radio will go two for two out of The Big Three.
So, who parallels the prodigious shrine McCartney filled in Indio? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band step in to the legendary rocker position. It's not McCartney, but The Boss can definitely rock!
All ‘Roo faithful were likely ecstatic to see Phish on the bill playing not once but twice! Elvis Costello and Al Green add more veteran experience, but it will be interesting to see how they fit in with younger acts MGMT, Ben Harper and the Relentless7, The Mars Volta and The Decembrists. To put it modestly, Wilco will definitely gather a crowd. NIN, for some reason, still has a large following even though it is just Trent Reznor on stage pushing a bunch of buttons. And the Beastie Boys, it seems are everywhere this year, but will forever be cool.
And just for fun, Bonnaroo invited the one the only, Snoop Dogg. It is interesting to think “why is Snoop playing the 'Biggest Hippy Festival' in North American.” There can really only be one thing the 6'4 rapper and a field full of hippies could have in common.
Still not impressed? Well, Lollapalooza will announce their line up April 21. The Chicago Tribune and Billboard.com have tooted acts that “have been confirmed by outside sources.” Apparently the 2009 Lollapalooza line-up will include, you ready for this, Depeche Mode, Beastie Boys, Jane's Addiction, Kings of Leon, Tool and The Killers as headliners. Supporting cast offers artists like Lou Reed, The Decemberists, Peter Bjorn and John and Fleet Foxes. All for the advanced price of $190!
Depeche Mode is fresh off new material and you can expect them to sound great in front of a lit up downtown Chicago.
Perhaps the biggest band of 2008, Kings of Leon will shine in a headlining spot, with a little more time to dabble in their four studio albums. Beastie Boys and The Killers look to be taking advantage of the high profiled stages this summer. Lollapalooza loyals will roll out the red carpet for Tool and as well for Jane's Addiction, who will be great but really no surprise since lead singer Perry Ferrell conceived the festival.
Is there anything else you could ask for?
So which one of these makes the grade? Is there a certain gem that shines above the rest of the list. It's unfortunate that British Columbia's Pemberton Festival is on hiatus after a spectacular debut last year, and it will be worth the time took take a look at the Osheaga Festival in Montreal and to wait what Virgin Festival will offer along its trip through the continent. But nonetheless with some of the world's best musicians gathering in cities all over North America this season, where will you be? Good luck.
