Music Reviews
Concert Review: Coachella Day 3 – Rage Against the Machine
By S.P. MacIntyre Apr 30, 2007, 23:43 GMT
Lead singer Zack de la Rocha (L) performs with Rage Against the Machine at their reunion concert during the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California April 29, 2007. The band split up in 2000. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
It was time to head to the main stage for the band that almost everyone came to see. While I was waiting, I caught the tail end of Manu Chao who may just be the luckiest band on the planet. Seriously, there were thousands and thousands of people there waiting for Rage Against the Machine, and Manu Chao got to play for all of them and, I have to say, the band was pretty good. I didn’t expect to be entertained, but it was very enjoyable.
The setup time for Rage was almost unbearable. I was waiting with a friend and we were pretty far away from the stage but very soon it began to get very crowded. My friend kept turning to me and saying, “Hey, you know what’s going to be awesome?” “What?” I replied. “Rage against the machine.” We began making plans for what would happen if there was a riot (first, rush the beer tent, then the pizza tent, all while trying to avoid getting shot) and then we talked about what songs we wanted to hear the most. When the lights went down, the crowd was all noise and applause. Looking around, there was nothing but people in absolutely every direction. Before the show even began there was already a mosh pit at the front.
When Rage Against the Machine finally came on stage it was slightly surreal. A lot has happened in the seven years since they last performed together, there’s been an ache lying just below the surface of the American populace and its due time that something came along to bring that ache forward and turn it into something new. “Your anger is a gift,” Zack de la Rocha said towards the end of the concert during the song “Freedom,” and I knew exactly what that something new would be: rage. Pure rage against a system that cannot change but rather needs to be “broken down generation after generation.”
They played all of their best and most memorable songs, jumping from “Sleep Now in the Fire” to “Down Rodeo” to “Guerilla Radio” to…well, you get the idea. At one point early in the concert people began to scale the sound booth and dance on top of it, only to be brought down by security shortly after. A few of the songs in the beginning were a little sloppy and rough, but they quickly pulled it together and throughout the show Tom Morello destroyed on the guitar, doing things that only he can do. Everywhere that I could see all the people were moving and headbanging to each song.
There wasn’t much in the way of audience interaction, but Zack de la Rocha at one point went on an extended diatribe comparing the current American administration to the Nazis and saying that they all need to be treated as such: “they need to be tried, and hung, and shot.” The singer didn’t scream very much, letting the audience do it, allowing him to save his voice. After disappearing offstage for a period, during which time I can only imagine the concert organizers asked the band not to start a riot, they came back for an encore and finished with “Know Your Enemy.”
When the show ended, there wasn’t a rush, a mad dash of chaos, just people dispersing calmly and satisfied. Maybe it was the police decked out in full riot gear that dissuaded them from getting too raucous. Even though there wasn’t a riot (there should have been, I was in the mood for free beer and pizza) I left the concert feeling angrier about the current state of American politics than I ever have been before. Rage Against the Machine’s reunion is something that needed to happen, and now that it has everybody needs to go experience it.
COMMENT
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Older Talkback
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You're absolutely right about that the last song being 'Killing in the Name,' I apologize for the error.
Also, the songs I mentioned that they played were not performed in the order I listed. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Well said all around.
I have to admit, I got a little worried when the fires started roaring up, as the flaming papers and shrapnel flew a good distance into the air a few times. But all in all, that set was supremely awesome and satisfying for everybody I talked to.
I hope somebody got a shot of them as they all embraced for a 'group hug' after the encore, I'd love to see that again. I tried for my camera but fumbled with the settings in what can only be described as a 'Fredo moment.' It's never felt so 'effing good to Rage!
Hello,
I call for this band to be hung, tried and shot like the pieces of animal dung that they are.
Lowlife,
This band is filled with hate, not rage. Rage is fine, and it is a good outlet, but not hate.
People who dislike this band because of there polital vewis are the COWARDS that will not serve in the military - just like are currant administration.
they are the ones that act tuff as other brave men and woman die so the can shout there uneducated mouths off!!
The Coahchella music festival was seriosuly the greatest time in my life! Rage Against the Machine's performance was so intense I will never forget it. To all the people I met, from all over the world, and all who were there...we made Coachella...rock on!
Maybe Zach de la Rocha will disagree with me but, putting political differences aside, this band has such an incredible energy, I may not agree qith many of the things they think, but I can respect those freaking insane guitar solos, hell yeah.
Dear RNS,
I would like to bathe your bare ass in honey and tie you down on an antpile. You are the COWARD.
Manu Chao is a solo artist, his backing band is Radio Bemba Sound System.
I read all the reviews posted by this author for the concert-and I felt like I was there-really enjoyed it-please write more reviews for this site-you are sorely needed!!
yeah i agree it sucks that there was no riot.
i was in the in the dead front getting smashed on the rail and i wasnt sure why i smelled sulphur
and it sucks that brad cut his hair
but i am proud and deeply respect zack for saying what he said
OHHHHH it was unexplainibly great
some guy kicked my in the back of the knee to get out of the way so i so i socked him :D
First of all this is the most intense and serious band in the world. People who say they are too political are idiots. All music is political or spiritual in some way. That was how music started, as rebellion. They just happen to focus on the things that do matter in our world rather than talking about how big their rims are. These 4 guys are some of the smartest dudes there are. They are not filled with hate, they are filled with knowledge and they are using their musical genius to pass it on to everyone else. I could listen to them just go on stage and speak to a crowd and play no music. Some of you need to listen to the real message that they are trying to send out and that is that they are more than just anti this and anti that, and anti-american. They are against all of the bull-shit and lies not only in this country but others as well. So like they say wake up and and think!
Great concert. Great crowd overall. A concert that every true Rock fan should experience. This has to be one of the most intense concerts of the past decades. Being able to chat with people who came from Australia, Sweden, Mexico and Canada, among many others, was a blast. All sharing one thing in common: Rage! Those who disagree with RATM's political views are entitled to, but do not try to cover the sun with one finger because the whole world can't be wrong about the current U.S. administration! 'It has to start somewhere, it has to start sometime, what better place than here, what better time than now!!!
Sounding off with insults and name calling does not produce any positive changes. Rage is not a hate filled band, and they are very American in their advocation of free speech. So, get off your fellow posters back and write opinions worth reading. Produce something positive, even if it means raging aggressively, at the issue, not comments about the issue. (Off the soapbox)
You guys did make Coachella an awesome show, I am sure. Let's all look forward to San Francisco and Rock The Bells!!
Land of the free....who ever told you that is your enemy!!!
Fear is your only god
I am gearing up for Alpine Valley in a few weeks. I can't wait, thanks for the update on their new performances! since your grandparents bought one...
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KevinMay 1st, 2007 - 01:42:06
The last song wasn't 'Know your Enemy', it was 'Killing in the Name'.
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