Well, it’s that time again, folks: Coachella planning madness. If you have a Facebook page, any friends, and/or a pair of working eyes and ears, chances are you are aware the official lineup for this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival was posted last week, and it seems that people have a lot to say about it.
Coachella is nothing short of a rite of passage for Southern California residents, its popularity rising every year since its birth in 1999. With its scenic desert horizon, creative and often trippy art presentations and installations, not to mention a smorgasbord of musical artists, one would think the experience would be enough to satisfy everybody.
However, this year that is not the case. All over Facebook, online forums and daily conversations, people are slamming the artists that have signed on as headliners for 2011’s Coachella. I have got to say, the list of the headliners seems a bit lame in comparison to previous Coachella Festivals.
First off is Kings of Leon. They have great commercial success and certainly roll in the dough, however the choice seems predictable and void of thoughtful consideration. Compared with some of the smaller bands playing, such as Mumford & Sons and The Tallest Man on Earth, Kings of Leon is not as exciting as many of the other lesser known performers.
Of course the under dogs have not quite proven themselves to be headliner material, hence Kings of Leon is an obvious pick. Yet, it is disappointing to realize how mainstream Coachella is becoming.
What is more disappointing is the fact that Kanye West is headlining the closing night of the festival this year. Yes, variety is necessary and Kanye West is a talented artist, but this guy is also a major douchebag. Do we really want big-headed, holier-than-thou artists gaining even more exposure? That does not seem to be a sentiment of early Coachella Festivals.
It is neat to see that Coachella is reaching new audiences each year, evolving into something bigger. But I am not so sure it is necessarily better. With artists like Kings of Leon and Kanye West on the roster, it appears that Coachella could soon easily become a product of corporate America.
That being said, there are a ton of innovative, refreshing smaller bands and also some big-time non-headliners in this year’s Coachella line-up, and that is something to rejoice about. Interpol, Duran Duran, Damian Marley, The Chemical Brothers, Neon Trees, and Erykah Badu are definitely a few of the artists to be excited about.
When it comes down to it though, the musical artists present at each Coachella are not even what make the festival great. Though it may sound grossly kumbaya, the entire unique experience associated with Coachella is what matters. Sure, a solid line-up of headliners might add to the experience, but I assure you, Coachella will be just as great this year as it has been in years past, albeit a bit commercial. So, go.
But one more thing: What the hell happened to Daft Punk? That rumor was the biggest tease of 2011 indeed.
Jessica Wood is a senior biology major and a columnist for the Daily 49er.
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