Desert Dreams

by Rodney Bounce

Coachella Festival, Indio, California - For the last 7 years the palm fringed desert of California's Indio Valley has been hosting the Coachella Music and Arts Festival. This year your intrepid reporters from La Jerga travelled north of the border to enjoy the smorgasbord of international artists.

First up was Kanye West , Hip Hop's brightest star, bringing his articulate, intelligent rhymes to the main stage. Backed by a live band, his conscious flow grooved the huge afternoon crowd. Over in the Gobi tent England's Imogen Heap sat at her laptop playing her bleepy, Tori Amos-like piano pop, accompanied by a cellist. The best moment was the vocoder-heavy "Sick and Tired".

The first great moment of the day was provided by Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley playing a bubbling mix of dub, reggae, reggaeton and funk. His pumping band, backing singers and Jamacian-flag waving rasta buddy swung the multitude, paying tribute to and honoring his father's music.

Franz Ferdinand's blistering set on the main stage strangely failed to get the crowd moving. Perhaps it was too much sun, or California green, but not even a wild three man drum workout lifted the gentle apathy. "Take Me Out" was the exception, with everybody punching the air for this piece of led zep-disco perfection.

Headlining on the main stage were Depeche Mode , and the anticipation in the air was palpable. Unfortunately the majority of the crowd were denied much of a view, as the band insisted on filling the huge stage-side screens with veiled camera shots and crappy 80s graphics. The sonics weren't much better, the undoubtedly charismatic Dave Ghan failing to enliven the turgid coldness of their synth-goth.

Perhaps they should have taken training from Daft Punk , who provided a dazzling end to the night in the Dance Tent. Masked in robot headgear, their throbbing electro and technicolour stage set sent the night air pulsing. Hits like "One More Time", "Around the World" and "Human After All" mixed and fused in an intense, pounding trip.

Kicking off Sunday afternoon were the Magic Numbers , who enlivened the crowd with their sunny harmonies and psychedelic hoedowns. Perfect blue sky afternoon music.

Over in the Gobi Tent, England's Jamie Lidell set a loop of his human beat box going, then proceeded to add layer upon layer of improvised noises. Adding huge crunching synth lines and white boy soul vocals, he seemed to be having as much fun as the crowd.

Next up were Gnarls Barkley , Currently a sensation in Britain and the States with their beautiful future-soul hit "Crazy". Featuring witches, toy soldiers and all manner of freaks, GB put the party on the stage. As hyped up singer Cee-Low sang, "the chords are retro but the production is futuristic."

Madonna brought the night on in the dance tent, playing her first ever festival. Thousands crammed to watch her techno-heavy set. Playing electric guitar and stripping to her undies (surprise surprise), she led the crowd through slick versions of "Ray of Light", "Hung Up" and "Everybody". After barely half an hour her festival debut was over, leaving the sweating crowd screaming for more.

29-30 April 2006