The Coachella Rumormongering: Going Nowhere Fast

In past years, there’s been some sort of announcement of the Coachella lineup by now (like last year, when I spent several hours tuning into an internet feed for a Mexican indie rock station), but I haven’t even heard an announcement of an announcement regarding this year’s lineup yet. And there’s been the total silence on Goldenvoice’s blog and nothing on longtime festival sponsor KROQ’s site. Of course, that lack of official word hasn’t stopped one blog or another from “confirming” acts through mysterious anonymous sources. And according to someone on ohnotheydidnt, the Britney Spears appearance that seemed so preposterous a few weeks ago is actually going to happen, with the singer allowing lots of lazy scribes to make “dance tent”/”circus” jokes:

Although the official line up has not been posted, the names of most performers for this years Coachella Music and Arts Festival (a 3-day music festival in Indio, CA) have been released. Amongst these rumored artists stands Britney Spears. I was (quietly) informed by a friend at Goldenvoice that Britney is a 100% confirmed headliner. The dates for this years Coachella are April 17th-19th, allowing Britney to do her Circus tour as planned. Her Southern California tour dates are set during the same week as Coachella. Britney does not have any booked dates on Coachella weekend, in order to headline either saturday or sunday at the 65,000 guest festival.

EDIT: brit brit isn’t headlining but she will be performing. probably a short set in a tent.

I think Britney might want to practice dodging plastic bottles in preparation for her set. But this rumor raises another question—a few years ago, which Coachella announcement would you have found more peculiar: One saying that Britney Spears would lipsync a few tracks in the dance tent, or one announcing Paul McCartney as a headliner?

Earlier in the day, an independent confirmation of multiple Grammy Award- winning English singer-songwriter Sir Paul McCartney playing Coachella surfaced on music website Consequence of Sound. The aforementioned website recently provided a substantial glimpse (now totaling some 36 “rumored” artists) into what is shaping up to be the hottest festival this year. And although McCartney is expected to cycle through his usual bevy of hits, it’s safe to say that his performance will focus primarily upon 2008’s Electric Arguments, the third collaborative electronic effort with producer Youth under the moniker the Fireman. Expect an official line-up announcement straight from the horse’s mouth in the coming days.

Maybe there’s something to be said here for the fracturing of the indie market, but there’s an element of McCartney headlining that’s actually bringing Coachella a little closer to the booking aesthetic of its British counterpart Glastonbury, which usually boasts at least one “classic” act. Then again, maybe the audience isn’t quite the same. When Rage Against The Machine headlined in 2007, Crowded House, who had the delightful task of warming up for De La Rocha & Co., had to perform amidst booing and assorted thrown paraphernalia. It’s possible the contingent willing to hang out in the desert for a weekend isn’t quite as informed or tolerant as UK audiences.

Rumor has it that the actual announcement will come down on Monday, so here’s your last chance to seem like a savvy prognosticator. Feel free to take a stab at the boldfaced acts for the three days of Coachella, with a place in your heart reserved for disappointment.

My “best” guess, complete with days (for extra inaccuracy):

FRIDAY: Basement Jaxx/Pavement/Nine Inch Nails SATURDAY: Primal Scream/The Killers/Paul McCartney SUNDAY: Franz Ferdinand/Blur/Kings of Leon

Britney Spears to perform at Coachella Music Festival! [ohnotheydidnt] Confirmed: Paul McCartney Takes On Coachella [LAist]