The January unveiling of the Coachella lineup is the unofficial kickoff of summer festival craziness for many music fans, myself included. For months, social media and message boards are abuzz with predictions, wish lists, rumors and speculation of what bands might be heading to some of the country’s biggest musical gatherings — Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and the like. Thousands of folks plan their summer vacations around these announcements, so when one of these jamborees drops their lineup, it’s not totally unlike bouncing down the stairs to see what Santa dropped off on Christmas morning.
Late last night, the jolly old elf of Coachella brought the 2013 lineup. For the second year in a row, Coachella will take place over two weekends: April 12-14 and 19-21.
Also for the second summer in a row, the Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline at least one major music festival (They played Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo in 2012). Blur, the Stone Roses and Phoenix are also on board, along with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Modest Mouse, the xx, the Postal Service, New Order, Sigur Ros, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Vampire Weekend, Social Distortion, How to Destroy Angels, Grizzly Bear and oodles more.
For the first time in years, the Coachella lineup doesn’t blow my hair back. There are a few exciting names — Trent Reznor’s How to Destroy Angels making their live debut, for instance, the reunited Postal Service, and a festival can never have too many Nick Cave bands on its poster. But Phoenix (apparently on the verge of releasing a new album?) and the Chili Peppers (didn’t they play everywhere last year?) capping off two nights? Hard to be energized by that.
Here’s the full rundown (click for larger size).
–Shane Nyman, snyman@postcrescent.com or on Twitter @shanenyman
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