coachella day one

Archetecutre in helsinki really rockin crowd lively and grooving with their sound. I don’t think I would buy their music but did enjoy the music out on the lawn. Vampire Weekend – well they certainly were tight with the music from their cd and introduced two new songs. Although it seemed everybody was into their music it just didn’t catch fire. I have listened to the CD mutliple times and the tunes are catchy and i know most of the words – but i am just not going to be a big fan – the music after all is too syrupy and in my head i kept thinking that sooner or later Tom Hanks would come out claiming to be their manager – ala – that pop music movie he was in – can’t remember the name of the movie – but the group and the sound just seemed to be in that genre. Actually the two new songs introduced were well done for new songs. God knows how many times we have heard new songs in concerts and they really shouldn’t have been played until they were better honed. Had VIP tickets for Friday – Mr. D snagged them at the hotel – so what does that mean – not a hell of alot – oh yeah hard drinks in the VIP tent and clean toilets but beyond that nada. The vegetable egg roles at the thai tent were good – but the closeness to the Coachella stage made it impossible to get away from the sonic mess of the Verve. Oh but my god the Raconteurs were great. Jack White although he is supposed to be just a member of the band stands out and guides the sound. Twenty rows back from the stage our ears were filled with the music of his guitar, and Brendan Benson’s voice and deft guitar work. I don’t recall which song it was – I think the fourth song – Jack did this incredible guitar solo that had me literally weeping, sweet and melodic and growing and moving leaving one thinking that he is probably the greatest guitar player today in the rock business. Of course you can’t be a great player if you don’t have a tight band and the rest of the band was tightly melded – were key in keeping the music sounding close to the recorded pieces and yet so much better. Really an exceptional set. I know we probably should have stayed for either Fat Boy Slim or for Jack Johnson but left after the Raconteurs.