A Reporter’s View
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Empire Polo Grounds
Indio, California
Story by Stephen Torres
Photos by Pat Krause
For more Pat Krause photos of Coachella Fest Day Three, click here.
Here's the thing about Day Three at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival: Days One and Two. After two days under the scorching sun being blasted by more than 120 ear-shattering decibels of noise, the remaining crowd is composed of either tried and tested survivors or first timers who simply want a taste of the fracas.
I am of the latter crowd, and after rushing with anticipation to get in early on Days One and Two, I took my time arriving on Day Three; this year was no different (except that it was my birthday!). By the time I locked my bike at the back entrance and got in, it was already 5 p.m., and I had just missed The Brian Jonestown Massacre, which, as a reporter and avid fan, I’m not supposed to mention.
 Whom I did manage to catch was Peter Bjorn and John playing ‘80s pop-tinged songs from their latest album “Living Thing” and finishing strong with the songs that made them famous, “Young Folks” (complete with virtuoso whistling) and “Writer’s Block.” It was like a science experiment watching the three young Swedes in the band turn from pale white to beet red by the end of their set around 6 p.m.
After the Peter Bjorn and John crowd dispersed from the main stage, I went on the offensive and positioned myself within about 20 yards of the stage in preparation for Karen O. and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who were set to perform songs from their recently released album “It’s Blitz.”
My brother and I both agreed that their stage design was not only groovy, but cheap and effective. They had giant blue sequined concentric circles, almost like a Target symbol, and in place of the bull’s-eye was a giant balloon eyeball suspended from a wire. Suppressed in the crowd, my brother and I both agreed that Day Three is definitely the smelliest day of the festival.
 When the Yeah Yeah Yeahs finally took the stage, they surprisingly started their set with one of the slowest songs, “Runaway,” on their new album, which showcased Karen O.’s singing. From there, the band made us dance, as guitarist Nick Zinner swooned between bouncy synthesizer and heavy guitar riffs with songs like “Zero” and “Heads Will Roll.” The Yeah Yeah Yeahs ended their modestly rocking set with old faves like “Maps” and “Y Control.”
After the Yeah Yeah Yeahs finished, it was time to spring for a daily dose of overpriced festival food. With a funnel cake and gyros down the hatch, it was time to prepare myself for My Bloody Valentine, who were set to take the main stage. This band was one of my highlights for the weekend. What other band will ever again play the main stage having put out only one album in the past 15 years? What band holds the “Guinness” record for loudest live act? Who is this reclusive band leader Kevin Shields and how does he even look?
 My Bloody Valentine jumped aggressively into the set and Kevin didn’t mince words between songs (did we expect anything less?). The songs soared sonically, drone and reverb made beautiful. Although I couldn’t qualify them as the loudest band in history on this night, I was also nearly deaf after the three-day assault on my eardrums, so who am I to say? To no surprise, they played mostly songs from their lone album and after having only that album to turn to for 10 years, every subtle change in the song was made evident. It was definitely one of the more heightening experiences of the weekend (need I even mention Leonard Cohen on Day One?). My Bloody Valentine did manage to play a few songs I had never heard before, but by that time, I was too exhausted to inquire about them, and I’m still too tired to research the songs so — Let’s just say they were awesome, it was Coachella, and you just have to be there.
 The band that wrapped up the festival this year was The Cure. I love The Cure. But no amount of love could place me on my feet, or anywhere near the throng. I didn’t even bother with my pen or pad, or with heavy funk in the air. What this bumbling reporter means to say it that The Cure sounded amazing and I couldn’t ask for more, either from myself or from them. See you next year Coachella!
For more Pat Krause photos of Coachella Fest Day Three, click here.
For more about Coachella Fest, click here.
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