Roger Waters & Coachella

Roger Waters is headlining the closing night of the 2008 Coachella. That is somewhat a departure from the normal talent line-up usually associated with the festival. Waters’ Pink Floyd material has plenty of cross-over potential, particularly “Dark Side Of The Moon,” which he apparently will be performing.

How many times can the festival have the likes of Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Beastie Boys headline? At some point, it was inevitable that the festival would branch out. Still, it couldn’t go too “classic rock” or they would alienate a portion of its devoted audience and the festival would lose some of its alternative vibe and credibility. Even though there is somewhat of a cross-over appeal with Waters (mainly because of the great influence Pink Floyd’s music had on so many past and present performers of Coachella), it still seems sort of odd.

For Waters, it is a no-brainer. Coachella is still one of the premier music festivals in North America and it is a chance to perform in front of thousands of music fans that are not necessarily avid listeners of his music or even Pink Floyd’s music. And you can also bet he is receiving a nice incentive-laden, seven figure guarantee for his appearance.

Still, I would never make the trek up to Indio simply to see Waters blow away the competition – and that is what he will do. No other performer on the festival’s bill will even come close to unleashing the power and magic Waters’ set will have. Nevertheless, festivals totally and completely suck. Yes, they can offer the opportunity to see a special show by an artist that isn’t currently touring, but I have never understood why anyone would want to spend 2-3 days of leaving their personal hygiene behind, using porta-toilets, getting heat-stroke, seeing loads of talentless bands, and being crammed onto a sweaty field to hear some tunes by one or two notable headliners. Thanks, but no thanks, I think I’ll pass. Trust me, the experience is overrated.