By April MacIntyre Jan 31, 2009, 19:03 GMT
The news is out that Sir Paul McCartney is booked as the headliner of sorts for the alt desert music festival: Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Coachella bound: Beatle Sir Paul McCartney signs his new album 'Electric Arguments' at HMV music store in Central London's Oxford Street, Britain, 21 December 2008. EPA/DANIEL DEME
Monsters and Critics' reporter S.P. MacIntyre has covered the event in the last few years for the site and will be in attendance this year as well.
MacIntyre noted the selection of McCartney was a good one, "I think its reflective of the festival's tendency to book fantastic acts in a wide variety of genres and artists that appeal to a lot of sensibilities and also different generations."
No doubt that booking McCartney will appeal to a much older generation of rock fans, but the question remains: Will they trek out to the desert to rough it for a few days in the blazing heat?
Coachella founder Paul Tollett is betting on it.
Paul McCartney headlines the main stage Friday, April 17.
Leonard Cohen, the 74-year-old cult favorite artist is also scheduled to appear.
Cohen's Coachella appearance will be part of his first North American tour in 15 years, which kicks off February 19 in New York.
Other highlighted acts include Henry Rollins, Fleet Foxes, Conor Oberst, the Black Keys, the Hold Steady, Superchunk, Dr. Dog, TV On The Radio, Okkervil River and Band Of Horses from the world of indie rock; and MSTRKRFT, Girl Talk, Thievery Corporation, the Crystal Method, Throbbing Gristle, Groove Armada and Roni Size.
On the bill: Sunday night's headliner, the Cure, is a trip down eighties memory lane for the alt-rock generation. Saturday's mainstage act: the Killers, rounds out a modern rock band sound.
Also to be seen are The Drive-By Truckers, who will perform their own set on April 18 as well as Booker T & the MGs, while rock legends from Los Angeles, X, and Paul Weller and ex Hüsker Dü guitarist and solo artist Bob Mould are in the queue as well.
Coachella has usually been the platform for the indie and alternative musicians to showcase, but it is no longer solely that genre.
Among the newer acts are White Lies, who currently have the No. 1 album in the United Kingdom, N.A.S.A., the Airborne Toxic Event, Cage the Elephant, Gang Gang Dance, Hercules and Love Affair, Vivian Girls, Lykke Li, Late Of The Pier, the Knux and the Gaslight Anthem.
Last year's appearance by Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters was a huge success and brought a new cache to the festival.
Coachella tickets went on sale Friday via Ticketmaster. For the first time, festival promoter Goldenvoice is offering a layaway plan for three-day passes, which is available only online and through February 28.
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