Aural Notes™

Posts Tagged ‘Gorillaz’

It has been a few days, but I’m still flying high from my first (and hopefully not last) Coachella experience.  By now, everyone knows that it was a sold-out festival, posting record attendance.  I’m not big on crowds, so knowing that the event was sold out before I even showed up made me a bit skittish.  Yet, it wasn’t so bad.  I’m such a music fiend that the opportunity to see an array of amazing bands far outweighed any inconvenience of being amongst a massive group of people.  So, as a newbie, I’m going to provide my thoughts on the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Coachella Music Festival.

THE GOOD

• Performances.  I was blown away blown away by the number of outstanding performances I witnessed over the weekend.  Gorillaz, Jay-Z, Thom Yorke (Atoms for Peace), Florence and the Machine, B.O.B., Gossip, Dirty Projectors, La Roux, Little Dragon, Sleigh Bells, Hot Chip, Calle 13 and countless others.
• Fans. While there were many in attendance who were there for the festival “experience”, the lion’s share of people were music fans.  Whether they were musicheads (like myself) or loyal fans of one or two artists, they were into the music, singing along with almost every song.
• Record Store Day.  It was so cool celebrating Record Store Day (April 17) while at Coachella.  Zia Records did it up right.  I left that evening with a lot of new music…and some new friends.

THE BAD

• Eyjafjallajokull.  The many artists who were not able to make it in from Europe due to the second eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull. I was looking forward to seeing Bad Lieutenant (Bernard Sumner’s latest group), The Cribs, and Gary Numan.  And as disappointed as I was, I believe it pales in comparison to how these artists felt.
• Poor Communication.  Speaking of Eyjafjallajokull, I feel that the festival organizers/management could have done a better job of communicating changes within the venue.  For example, I know for a fact that Coachella’s Twitter feed was being updated frequently, which is good for those on Twitter (me) and for those actually able to get service (not me).  In front of every stage, there was a sign posted with the day’s lineup (like this one).

Now let’s be honest.  There were five stages/tents.  How difficult would it have been to have someone black out the names of the artists that weren’t able to attend?  The Cribs announced that the band would not be performing due to cancelled flights a full day ahead of time.  Some poor fans got in place hours ahead of time (even sitting through acts that were really of no interest) in order to be in position to see their band du jour.  I can’t adequately convey the disappointment that swept across faces as the voice came across the P.A. system, indicating that they had waited in vain.  Not good, my friends.  Not good.

THE UGLY

• Meltdown.  Sly Stone’s “performance”.  This was more sad than ugly.  Very sad!
• Poor Preparation.  This one is all me and has nothing to do with the festival management or performers.  I chose the wrong footwear for the occasion and I am still paying for it days later.  Who knew that sneakers could become uncomfortable.  But then again, after 12 hours of standing, I don’t think that any shoe would be comfortable.  You would have thought that this was my first festival.

In the days since I’ve been back at the old homestead, several people have asked me if I’d attend Coachella again.  Most definitely.  There are a few things that I’d do differently, but all in all, it was an amazing experience.  (See photos here and videos here.) For years, people have talked about the power of music and how it brings folks together.  Well, I experienced this firsthand…along with 75,000+ others.  Bring on, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

As a bonus treat, here’s Gossip performing a Grace Jones classic, “Pull Up to the Bumper“.  This is the next best thing to Grace being there. (She cancelled her performance.)

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There are so many goodies this week that I’m not sure where to begin.

For starters, our favorite virtual group is back.   Plastic Beach is the third studio release from Gorillaz, which boasts an eclectic array of songs that highlights the adventures of Murdoc, 2D, and company.  Plastic Beach marks a bit of a departure for the group, nothing like previous efforts, but it is quite compelling and noteworthy.  And if that isn’t enough, there is enough star power to make you dizzy.  There are guest appearances from legends Lou Reed and Bobby Womack, hip-hop giants Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, and De La Soul, as well as Little Dragon, Sinfonia Viva, and Paul Simonon and Mick Jones of The Clash. (can you stand it?!)  The lead single, “Stylo,” featuring Bobby Womack and Mos Def is just a little taste of what Plastic Beach has to offer.  What a fun ride!

The debut release from Broken Bells is also out today.  For those who haven’t heard, Broken Bells is a collaboration between James Mercer of The Shins and producer Danger Mouse.  As a fan of  The Shins, it is good to hear another side of Mercer’s artistry.  And coupled with the fact that Danger Mouse is one of the most musically gifted producers around, Broken Bells is sure to be one of the more popular debut releases of the year.

Other great music out this week as follows:  Ludacris (Battle of the Sexes), Serj Tankian (Elect the Dead Symphony),  Frightened Rabbit (The Winter of Mixed Drinks),  Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (The Brutalist Bricks), Josh Rouse (El Turista), The Morning Benders (Big Echo), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Beat the Devil’s Tattoo), and Liars (Sisterworld).

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