Coachella 2008 (Continued) April 25 – 27, 2008 Empire Polo Field Indio, Ca 92201 coachella.com Written by Joshua Williams Photographed by Amy Davidson Opposite Photo: Fans of Gogol Bordello

April 27, 2008 - Day 3

The Shout OUt Louds

We finally made it to the final day. The endurance test that is Coachella is not to be underestimated. Make sure to bring a good hat. One that breathes. Also, before I forget—getting out of there is the worst. Anyway, the first band we checked out was Shout out Louds from Stockholm, Sweden. There is definitely an appreciation of English Pop, and I really enjoy “Tonight I have to Leave it”. There are also supporting their new release, Impossible. It felt like a nice summer day listening to their set. It seemed to pair well with the fresh coconuts people were drinking. I wanted to put vodka in one, but it slipped my mind.

Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello


Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello


Gogol Bordello

Next up was the utterly amazing Gogol Bordello. This band has a readily apparent abundance of energy and presence. Front man Eugene Hutz and Violinist Sergey Ryabtsev owned the stage, flanked by percussion dancers and backed by a mean rhythm section. “Start wearing purple” is still running through my head. It may never leave. This is a mad gypsy band capable of inciting a riot if they wish. At this point in the show, the trip was well worth it. Go see this band. Whenever the opportunity may express itself.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn then made a speech to the crowd, asking them to join him on an activist tour. He had bio-diesel busses ready to take people on the “dirty hands caravan”, whereas they would meet with other activists along the way, with the final destination being the city of New Orleans. I am curious to see the outcome.

My Morning Jacket

Following Mr. Penn’s fifteen minutes, My Morning Jacket came on. I like this band in parts and not in others. Take the song “Evil Urges”, for example. It has a beautiful intro, but maybe the evil urge is the one that makes them play that verse. “One big holiday”, though, is pretty cool. The verse was exorcised from some Southern Rock festival circa 1976. I enjoy the flying V guitar being up there as well on Singer/guitarist Jim James.

Roger Waters

And then the final performance of the festival. The one and only Mr. Roger Waters. This was one of the best performances I have ever seen. The set was flawless of course. He started off with “In the flesh” from The Wall. Then played all the sing alongs. I wonder if he gets tired of playing “wish you were here”. If he does, there was absolutely no evidence suggesting such a thought.

Roger Waters

I was utterly amazed by the synchronization of the plane to the music. The plane I’m referring is the one that swooped down towards the crowd during a song and pulled up on cue with the crescendo of the music. I wish I could remember which song, but I don’t. I don’t know if it was planned, but since Mr. Waters is a bit of a perfectionist, I imagine it was. Apparently, it dropped pro-Obama leaflets, but I didn’t see any. And of course the inflatable pig made it out. Painted by Graffiti artist Slick, and asking the crowd to choose Obama. The handlers lost control and it floated away from the crowd, to be discovered a few days later, ripped to shreds and dead in the desert.