7 days until Coachella 2008

A week from now, I am going to be in the United States for the first time in ten year, Coachella 2008. I've been looking forward to this trip since I made arrangements way back in the dead of winter. The thoughts of going to the best music fest in North America made suffering through minus 40 degree weather and frostbite worthwhile. I wouldn't say that the lineup is as good as last year (having fantastic bands like Rage Against the Machine, DJ Shadow, the Arcade Fire, Ghostface Killah amongst others), but this one seems to make up for it with lots of great French dance bands.

As of now, these are the bands that I want to see the most at the concert. It'll be intersting to see how this list compares in over a week after it's all finished.

In no particular order

1) Kraftwerk

The only Kraftwerk that I've managed to hear at this point is the stuff sampled in Afrika Bambaataa's Planet Rock and bits of Tour de France, so I can't say that I'm an uber-fan. With that considered, they are the progenitors of electronica music and they've been known to put on a great show. And with the members of Kraftwerk getting older, it's unlikely that I'll ever get to see 'em live again, so I can't knock that.

2) Roger Waters

There's been a quote floating around the internet saying that Roger Waters doing Dark Side of the Moon live is akin to having Ringo Star doing Sargent Peppers live. I'm no hater and from what I've read, Roger Waters puts on a damn fine show. Checking out the Dark Side of the Moon at Coachella is a matter of historical curiousity for me, as it's the last time it'll be performed in North America. I'm not knocking that.

3) M.I.A.

I have deep seated fears that M.I.A.'s more of a produced artist than a live one. My brother Christopher, who I'm going to the concert with, says that Marc Ronson, who's also appearing, says that she lacks finesse live. This has instilled doubt into my heart of hearts. But when it comes to technical proficiency, one only has to look to Wayne Coyne, who isn't a fantastic singer, to see that an artist who has heart and love for their craft can make for an awersome live act. All the shit that I've read about M.I.A. points to her being awesome live, so that gives me hope.

4) the National

I have no idea if the National are a good live act or not, but I'm a huge fan of their lyrics. Hence, they're an un-negotiable act to miss.

5) Midnight Juggeranuts

If the concert has nearly as much energy this clip here, I'm gonna be a happy man.

6) Justice

I'm keen on seeing Justice for the same reason for wanting to see the Midnight Juggernauts. I'm keen on bouncing up and down for two hours straight high on kickass French Dance.

7) Gogol Bordello

This guys really haven't been high on my radar, and with the exception of Wanderlust King, I'm totally unfamiliar with their music. But that's totally irrelevent. Acording to Mike and Stephen, my friends whose opinion I greatly trust, they put on a kickass live show. If they can make a room full of Vancouverites shake their asses, you gotta give whoever can do that some major props.