2001
Jane’s Addiction- Complete with ex Mr. Electra, Perry Ferrell and the boys made for an unprecedented show, which made the risk of buying Coachella tickets for the first time totally worth it. And I have to say, I enjoyed “Jane Says” wholeheartedly…
2002
Siouxsie & the Banshees – Oh man! Those who were lucky enough to snag some Coachella tickets that year got a special treat! First hitting the stages in 1976, these authentic punk rockers gave London a reason for anarchy.
2004
Pixies- All I can think of is Fight Club when I hear the Pixies play. And they’ve only gotten better with age! The precursors to grunge, the Pixies have been cited and influences by the likes of Nirvana and Radiohead. Needless to say, I’m glad I got to see them live.
Kraftwerk- Okay this wasn’t really a reunion, but it’s the first time they’ve performed in Cali since 1981 (three years before I was born!). Like the Pixies, Krafwerk is comparable to the originality of Radiohead- oftentimes including computer-speech with Krautrock sound.
2005
Bauhaus and Gang of Four – Two legendary bands, need I say more?
Nine Inch Nails- A personal favorite, Trent Reznor’s gritty voice and his industrial feel make NIN a fist-throwing worthy. But be careful kiddies, we don’t want mosh pits and bloody noses at Coachella now do we?
2006
Daft Punk- In the first ever US performance since 1997, Daft Punk, who experienced a surge in popularity from Kanye West’s sampling, tore up the stage. All that dancing was worth the blisters I had the next morning.
Massive Attack- One of my all time favorite trip hop groups, Massive Attack has worked with Madonna, Mos Def and Sinead O’Connor – If there was one show that made buying Coachella tickets and flying across the country worth it, it was this group.
2007
Rage Against the Machine- My buddy John cried when Rage Against the Machine broke up and reluctantly embraced their newer band Audioslave. When Coachella came to town and good old Johnny bought his Coachella tickets, he nearly washed out those stubs with tears!
Crowded House, The Jesus and Mary Chain and Happy Mondays- Three classic bands, three classic reunions all at one festival – a testament to the creative polarity of Coachella.
2008
Portishead – Only second to Massive Attack (at least in my opinion) Portishead performed on Coachella’s stage for the first time after a 10 year hiatus. Known for shunning the trip hop categorization, so I’ll just call them experimental gold.
The Verve- If you’ve ever fantasized about bashing into people while singing a badass song, “Bittersweet Symphony” would be the choice of most people. And The Verve delivered the goods.
Love and Rockets and Swervedriver- another two classic bands with two different sounds converging at one festival. Where else can you find Goth Rock and Shoegazing at the same venue?!
2009
Throbbing Gristle, X, My Bloody Valentine, The Murder City Devils, Leonard Cohen, SuperChunk
2010
Pavement, Sly & The Family Stone, Faith No More, Public Img. Limited, Orbital, The Specials
