Radiohead, Pixies, Dizzee Rascal To Play Coachella

Performances by the reformed Pixies, Radiohead and Kraftwerk highlight the opening night of the fifth Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, which returns to the Empire Polo Field in Indio, Calif., on May 1 and 2. A confirmed and ever-expanding dream lineup will see The Cure, the Flaming Lips and Air anchor night two. Tickets go on sale Saturday, February 14, at noon (PST).

Other highlights for the massive two-day fest include Wilco, The Rapture, Hieroglyphics, Stereolab, Death Cab for Cutie, Basement Jaxx, Bright Eyes, the Crystal Method, Mogwai, Brit-rap phenom Dizzee Rascal, up-and-comers The Stills, Mogwai, mash-up masters 2 Many DJs, Canadian indie super-group Broken Social Scene, and two of Scott Herren's musical personas, Savath & Savalas and Prefuse 73.

Past Coachella festivals have for the most part been examples of how to put on an outdoor fest. Last year, with the exception of first-day troubles with security — a problem promoter Goldenvoice says has been rectified — the operation ran smoothly, providing enough shade, facilities, food, drink and, of course, music, to keep the low-key crowd happy. It was, for the most part, a jerk-free environment, filled with blissed-out music lovers enjoying two marathon days with bands including Interpol, the White Stripes, Underworld, Beastie Boys, Blur and the Polyphonic Spree.

Camping is available next to the concert site. If you're interested in a hotel or motel room, start looking now, as the allure of the Pixies reunion and Radiohead's lone North American appearance in '04 will likely make this year's fest a sell-out.

For a complete lineup and other news, check the Coachella Web site. And for Neumu's in-depth look at last year's shows, make use of these links:

* Coachella 2003, Part 1: The Drive, The Arrival, The Beer
* Coachella 2003, Part 2: N*E*R*D Blows It
* Coachella 2003, Part 3: Learning To Love The Sahara Tent
* Coachella 2003, Part 4: Ecstasy
* Coachella 2003, Part 5: The 'Born Slippy Moment'

— Jesse Zeifman [Thursday, February 12, 2004]