Idolator: coachella2008

Coachella: The Race To Avoid A Paralyzing Sunburn Begins Now

Maura Johnston — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Today marks the first day of the three-day desert sweatfest Coachella, and I would be shirking my blogging duties if I didn't tell you in advance that have made my way out to southern California for blog-information-gathering purposes (well, that and the chance to see Portishead open for Prince, because when is that going to happen ever again in my life). If you'll be there, or if you see someone on the schedule who I absolutely positively should not miss, let me know in comments! (Unless your can't-miss band is Slightly Stoopid, because ... no.) Also please speak up if you know where to buy a big floppy hat around here, because I am terrified that I'm going to get burnt to a crisp. [Coachella]

Coachella: Let The Sunscreen Application (And Sean Penn-Related Speculation) Begin!

Maura Johnston — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:45:00 EDT

The 2008 festival glut begins this weekend in the California desert with this year's edition of Coachella, and with a little more than 72 hours to go until the gates open, the festival's organizers have released the weekend's schedule. While I've been mostly focused on my relief over the fact that I'll have something to do during Roger Waters' two and a half hour festival-closing set (thank you, Black Mountain), an eagle-eyed tipster e-mailed to point out that Sean Penn was on Sunday's bill not once, but twice, with a half-hour set in the early afternoon and a 15-minute set in the early evening. What could he be doing during his allotted time—celebrating the 26th anniversary of Fast Times At Ridgemont High? Introducing one of the artists he'd directed a music video for (maybe Jewel)? Thankfully, posters over at Coachella's message board were on the case:

First, the doubters:

I doubt that a surprise band would pop in for a bangin' 15 minute set. I'm guessing it really is Sean Penn and he wants to talk political shit.

People quickly rose up to remind people that in past years, Tenacious D and Beck have done exactly that at the festival.

into the wild. chris went to coachella. sean directed the film. i predict a bus + some musical surprise.

Which led to the only natural conclusion:

into the wild = eddie veddar. makes SO MUCH SENSE AGGGHH!!!!! that'd rock my world.

Ahh, I love the Internet, how a grain of truth can turn into a full-bloomed flower of all-caps excitement. Whether or not it's actually true, of course, is up for debate, but I look forward to the next 23 pages of message-board speculation that will fill attendees' working hours between now and the moment the gates open on Friday.

Set Times [Coachella.com]
What the HELL is Sean Penn doing on Sunday? [Coachella Message Board]

Coachella: Let The Rumormongering Begin Anew!

mjohnston — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:50:26 EST

This poster's ratio of B.S. to actual bands who will probably show up and play this year's Coachella festival is probably about 50/50, although I have to call foul on the prospect of Kylie Minogue being relegated to the dance tent. Like that would fit any of her crazy headdresses! (Here's last year's actual poster for reference.)

Coachella 2008: First Fake Line-up Revealed [losanjealous, via ONTD]