Security at the venue wasn't that daunting and we got through after a brief, but endurable wait. K-OS was the first act we saw and I really enjoyed his set. He's pretty much a superstar here in Canada and it was great to see him represent. Finished off with a tease of 'Another Brick in the Wall, Pt.2" leading into his tremendous track "The Man I Used to Be".



Met up with Electronic Battle Warrior, who is a great guy and was really up for it on Saturday. Amazed with his smuggling performance, to be honest.



We chilled for a bit, but the call of the Sahara Tent was looming. Caught a little of DJ Marky's set and dug the Brazilian D'n'B he was playing. After some wandering around, purchasing of Chems singles at the Virgin tent, EBW and I caught the last half of UNKLE (James Lavalle's) set. A great set he played, concluding with The Killers' "Mr. Brightside" (Jacques Lu Cont remix) and a bootleg of U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name."



Josh Wink was next and threw down a very peak-and-valley acid house set. I really enjoyed his set and his constant breakdowns and buildups had the crowd going. 'Freak' (which he opened with) and 'Higher State of Consciousness' were among the highlights.



'stash, Whirly, and Eric joined us for Hernan Cattaneo's set as we prepared to get close to the stage for the Chems. Hernan's set was an example of well-chosen songs to fire up the crowd, but there was no attempt at subtlety or managing the equipment properly. The bass was rattling my throat so much that it was hard to swallow back the water that I was trying to intake. Eventually, he mercifully let up and it was time for Tom and Ed to push our collective buttons.



Honestly, I couldn't even begin to top Whirly's review of the set, so I'll just add in where I can.



TMN, leading into HBHG had the Chemical fires lighting up in my brain synapses and by the time GYH hit, it was off to space camp! The Big Jump and Galvanize followed, and my button my pressed!!! Crazy! The crowd really responded to both tracks off the new album, which I was glad to see.



The entire set was a highlight list, and, as mentioned, Whirly's covered pretty much exactly was anyone was feeling at the moment.



Temptation/Star Guitar was absolute bliss and, as much as I already liked Believe, live it was something else entirely and really made me anxious to give PTB yet another listen!!!



Other personal highlights were It Doesn't Matter, because of the crazy robots; Out of Control, among my Chemical favourites, especially with Enjoyed-style mixing treatments live.



When the massive wave-of-bass that is Under the Influence washed over me, I honestly thought to myself: "When I get back home, I'm going to have to concede that Sentientsynthesizer is right: there is a God, there really is!!! And he's telling me to dance my fucking ass off!!!!!!" My body was reduced to absolute liquid mush at that point. Surely this is the sound of an alien invasion.



By around 2/3s through the set I had subconsciously wandered/danced apart from 'stash, Whirly, EBW, Eric, etc. and found myself in the second or third row when EBW 7 dropped and the evil clowns went on the rampage. I checked my camera and saw I only had two or so photos left, but I knew I needed the clowns captured and would have to sacrifice TPPR pics. Done and done.



The Golden Path was absolutely ecstatic and felt, again, like a higher being was calling out to me.



The Private Psychedelic Reel came shortly afterward, and I slipped into another state of existence. After several years of waiting, this was it. It was a mixed moment, as I was in both pure, pure bliss, but also so very sad because I knew that there were only moments left. Somehow, a path right to the very, very front, stage centre opened up during TPPR and I subconsciously moved right into it, right in front of Tom & Ed. So very close, there's no feeling like it.



At every opportunity I could throughout the set, I was shouting out "Fucking animals at Eric's house!!!" in the hopes that either of the Brothers would hear and recognize, but the decibel level was so high I don't think they did.



I have to say, Tom & Ed were really, really up for it at Coachella. They put on an amazing performance, and spurred the crowd on at every chance. I couldn't even begin to count the number of times Tom practically crawled on top of the equipment to shout at us "DO YOU WANT MORE?!?!?!?!" Hell yes, we did. Thank you so much, Tom & Ed for playing your hearts out for us. It means so much.





(cont. next post, with a Day 2/ride home summary)

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

A special note here: 'stash and Whirly are among the coolest, most considerate people I've ever met. They made my whole Chemical experience possible and even more enjoyable than I had expected. I can't even begin to repay or thank you enough, 'stash and Whirly!

It was completely and totally our pleasure man. Any time, mi casa es su casa.

Okay, I'll try to sum up the rest as quickly as possible now.



Snuck around backstage in the hopes of finding Tom & Ed, but no luck there. Still, it was cool seeing the backstage parties and watching the roadies load up the equipment (good job guys, couldn't have the shows without you!)



Made arrangements to meet up with EBW the next day, and then we stayed up until the break of dawn before catching a few hours of sleep.



Whirly and 'stash arranged for me to catch a ride to the venue with friends we ran into on Saturday. So, a special thank you to Jason and Anna for the ride to/from Coachella on Sunday, even though I know you don't read these forums!



Goodbyes with 'stash, Whirly, and Eric and it was off to Day 2!!!



Security was much faster this time, because it was already 1:30. I caught the very end of Sloan's set, hoping to support another Canadian act. I wanted to see Autolux, but I was thirsty so I went wandering and got near the front for the beginning of Jem's set. Have to say, she is soooo cute, very sweet and personable, and actually wore a bikini top and a very, very short skirt. Sexy!!! Her set was decent, but I left about 2/3 through so I could get a good spot for Kasabian.



Kasabian was amazing. Can't say much more than that, but I will anyway. I'd heard more than a few stories about how cocky and arrogant they were, but they were great with the crowd, shouting "Thank you Coachella!!!" after every single song. The Mojave tent was packed, and then some, for their set, and they delivered the goods. Highlights, predictably, were the singles: "LSF", "Prescription Beats", "Reason is Treason", and the closer "Club Foot."



After Kasabian, it was time to chill for a bit, so I went and caught the end of Ben Watt's DJ set, just lying down and chilling in the back of the tent. Decent. I got up to get a little closer so I could see ex-stripper Miss Kittin in the flesh as it were. I wasn't expecting much from her set, to be honest, but she got me into it slowly but surely with her high-tempo electrostompers. Soon, I was standing, then swaying, then moving around a little........ then.....



She drops "Base 6"!!!! Chemical madness all over again and I danced my ass off for the second half of her set. All my tiredness was erased by "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, BASS!!!!!!!" She hyped up the crowd very well, was clearly enjoying herself and also sings along to many of the songs she drops, including "Requiem for a Hit". Great visuals (both her and the video screens! heh), great tracks, very good set, even if not technically proficient at all, really.



After that, I couldn't decide who to see next, so I went wandering and caught a few tracks each from Gang of Four, Roots Manuva, and Z-Trip, as well as one Arcade Fire song (I hear their set was amazing, but I was starting to run low on fuel at that point).



Got to the main stage early so I could see New Order. Mixed feelings about their set. Bernard was in full curmudgeon mode, telling photographers to fuck off and bitching about his sore foot. Though, being a Liverpool fan, I did enjoy him slagging off Manchester as a terrible place to live (but he said "We do have a hell of a football team, though", driving me to near-rage, hehehe). Pros: Played Atmosphere, Blue Monday, Crystal, and the amazing Love Will Tear Us Apart. Cons: Short set, the mixing was terrible (Hooky's bass was cranked to 13 and was distorting all over the place), and no 'Temptation'!!!! I didn't even realize until later that there was no Temptation. I was hoping for True Faith and New Dawn Fades but had no expectations of them actually playing those, but no Temptation? Oh well, still a decent set, and I wasn't disappointed really except for the sound mixing.



Pushed my way closer for Nine Inch Nails and was a bit trepidatious about being in the middle of the mosh pit, because my body and mind were tired and sore. Still, I talked myself up for it and......... nothing........ I was surrounding my people standing there as if comatose and by couples who made out even during 'Terrible Lie'. Scandalous!!! The band itself played a decent show, but I could've just watched their live DVD, truth be told. Yeah, NIN was the disappointment of the festival. Clearly a case where their best days are behind them. They began to pick it up towards the end, and I must say that 'The Hand That Feeds' is really growing on me, but I doubt I'll buy their new album.



However, there was one more act left to see and it was near bedlam as everyone (and I mean, near everyone) ran to see The Prodigy. Surprisingly I was able to snake my way to within 10 or so rows of the front within a matter of minutes.



Liam et al put on a show, no doubt about it!!! Most tracks were off Fat of the Land and AONO, but they did play Out of Space and, amazing, Poison (the first Prodigy track I ever heard)! The energy in the tent was like nothing I've ever seen and there had to be AT LEAST 6,000 in the tent. The mosh pit was insanely violent and I was quickly pressed right to the first or second row. Liam was rocking the equipment while Keith and Maxim hyped the crowd and traded off songs and parts. A live drummer and guitarist round out the crew. Keith was obviously fucked out of his mind, and actually fell off the stage at one point. Although I'm not a huge Prodigy fan, I could write a page long post about their show, it was that good. Other highlights were 'Mindfields', 'Breathe', and a 15-minute aftertime encore of 'Smack My Bitch Up'. They really redeemed the disappointment of NIN, and left me covered in enough bodily fluids of my own and of others that I should probably go get an STD test. Honestly, I've gotten out of the shower less wet than I left the Sahara tent Sunday night.



Met up with Jason and Anna and, to my surprise, Anna had apparently been within about 10 feet of where I was during the Prodigy and we just didn't see each other. To consider that this girl is SO very petite and that she was rockin' it up in that tent right at the front, is very impressive. I was able to find a hotel room for Sunday night, thankfully, and Jason and Anna dropped me off there where I watched CNN in a haze until I passed out from sheer exhaustion.



(to be concluded......)

Darkstarexodus Escribi�:

They began to pick it up towards the end, and I must say that 'The Hand That Feeds' is really growing on me, but I doubt I'll buy their new album.

Their new album is really damn good. been listenin to it almost non-stop since last week. You should give it a chance.

Monday morning I got up, showered, and decided to see what Indio had to offer while I waited for my 4:55 PM bus back home. My feet were so blistered and torn, that I left a veritable trail of blood from the hotel on Indio Boulevard to the convenience store I purchased bandages and disinfectant from. Unfortunately, I was leaking so badly that the bandages fell off after a few minutes that I had to walk to another store and purchase more bandages, which finally held. Indio is a pretty boring city on its own, but I walked several miles in the afternoon, almost from the far east end all the way to La Quinta. Nothing exciting was found in the way of shopping (go K-Mart! heh), but I did discover an absolutely stunningly good Mexican restaurant, where I had lunch. On the verge of passout, I wandered back to the bus depot.



As much as the bus ride down to Cali was enjoyable, the bus ride home was equally miserable. Terrible, unfriendly drivers; delays; smelly people who monopolized all the seats; no leg space; etc. Could hardly sleep most of the ride back. I did have a nice morning in Grand Junction, CO, where I went wandering and found a cool music equipment store and wandered through a record store, too.



The final leg from Omaha, NE to home was a relief. I was on the verge of homicide and it's a good thing all my sharp objects (pen, razorblade, etc.) had been confiscated at Coachella, or I would be typing this from prison. The last straw was when 2 dumbasses got rejected at Canadian customs and we had to turn around and drop them back off in North Dakota. Combine that hour-long delay with how far behind schedule we already were and I finally got into Winnipeg 9 PM Wednesday night. The only saving grace of the ride back was chatting with a really cute Swedish girl who was visiting friends in Winnipeg and was curious about the city.



My parents and girl picked me up at the depot and drove me home, where I told them all (well, not quite all....) about the trip and then I retired to the basement with my girlfriend for some well-deserved sex. (Sorry for the details, but I needed the relief after that bus ride!!!)



Woke up today still flying from the trip. Absolutely amazing experience that likely marks the start of an annual pilgrimmage to Coachella (at least as long as the Chems play it).



Listening to the singles I bought brings it all back and I'm barely able to type, I'm dancing so much at the keyboard here. The people, the sights, the sounds; wouldn't trade any of it for a second.



Thanks 'stash, Whirly, EBW, Eric, Jason, Anna, and, of course, Tom and Ed for a great start to summer!!!

Darkstar, glad to see you made it home all in one piece (well, except for your poor feet!)



It was really a pleasure playing Indio Tourguide and having you (and Electronic Battle Warrior of course) as festival mates. It's so great to bear witness to first-timers and it makes me so happy you had a great time. It's too bad you couldn't meet up with Electronic Battle Warrior the next day, but I'm glad Jason and Ana got you sorted out and you weren't stranded at the bus station! Ana's a great girl, a real Chemical sister. It's funny, she was about 10 feet away from me at the Chems show - but clear across the other side. Damn being short!! X-D



I still get a laugh that you actually screamed "Fucking animal in Eric's house!!" at the show! X-D



And I just wanted to say thanks to those responsible for getting the Coachella set available to us. I can't wait to listen, relive all of that a little bit, and I will hold it dear to me forever!

toomuch'stash Escribi�:

Soon as Whirlygirl get's home from work, she should be able to help fill in some blanks... and I'd love to hear that thing. Maybe even make it a bittorrent.

Once I get a chance to listen, I'll have had my refresher course and will be able to trainspot!



So excited to hear this gig again!

whirlygirl Escribi�:

I still get a laugh that you actually screamed "Fucking animal in Eric's house!!" at the show! X-D

I must've screamed that a good 2 dozen times throughout the concert, at the minimum. I was so hopeful that they'd hear and realize that we were there.



Ana said was in the first three rows right near the middle for the Prodigy, which is EXACTLY where I was, but it was a true riot in there. If that had happened anywhere but in a concert, the National Guard would have been called in, for sure. So amazed and proud of her for getting in there like that!



As for my health, I'm a little sore still, but it's fine. Yesterday night my right ankle was near the size of a softball, but it's almost back to normal again. I had been on crutches with a really severe sprain and bone chip about 3 months ago and it just swelled right up again. I might have one or two small scars after everything, but who cares? Still, my endorphin level is so high right now that I feel great and I don't think I'll need any party favours for a week or two, at least!!!



A few other things:



The Chems, in comparison to the Dublin show, kept the transitions between tracks a little shorter than normal, knowing that they had a very limited time window to work in. The transition between The Big Jump and Galvanize, in particular, seemed shorter to me, but no less excellent. I was glad that they were maximizing the time they had to make sure no one tried to pull the plug on TPPR. No complaints from me when you cram that many top tunes into a single, sub-2-hour set.



I'm so choked I ran out of film Saturday night, pre-TPPR. The vendors at the venue were all sold out all Sunday, every time I checked, despite getting a couple new shipments. I could've had absolutely amazing pics of New Order, NIN, and especially the Prodigy. I could see the whites of Keith and Maxim's eyes, I was so close. Plus, I missed getting nice photos of Utah on the way back. But, I'm going to get my 3 rolls of film developed tomorrow after work and post them up here when I get the chance. I really hope they turn out.



Although I didn't catch any of their set, because I was at the Prodigy, Black Star was still playing at 12:20, over 30 mintues after they were supposed to quit. Apparently, Mos Def just wouldn't stop. Common was a guest in their set, I've heard, and Talib Kweli was bitching at Mos Def to stop b/c he didn't want to pay the fine.



I read in the papers on Monday that Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake were on hand, and got denied VIP access for Coldplay. Suckers. Should've snuck around the back like we did!!! (And, BTW, security had that opening guarded like Fort Knox by 5 PM Sunday)

Ok so here is my little bit on the chems gig



OK all I have to say Is



OMG they played MUSIC:RESPONCE.





sorry all but I am in love with that song .. and i think I screamed it out and people looked at me like Wtf??



haha



I'll get into the set list and all later







but all i have to say is I have never danced so hard in my life and neverbeen so happy ! ( i cryed happy tears for a bit and just had this big smile on my face)It was cool to see a "live" set in the US.



and to say I was sober and it still felt good to feel the music.





Ok cheers for now and more to come!





next stop: Manchester!



and then this is it for a bit. I need to stay home and shit ha!



my roomie is now a beliver in the chems



Thanks Tom and Ed



and I am back home( for a while )

anyone see David Bowie on the stage ( NIN GIG) ( behind the band and all)



I personally think with teeth is alot calmer then past albums , but still good album











also I was really happy to see coldplay. I am definatly gonna check them out live more !

Ana must've been insane to go headfirst into a crowd like the Prodigy gig. She's so tiny I'd be worried about her getting trampled but she held her ground. A braver soul than I am, I like things generally mellow. That whole scene must've been the polar opposite of the Chemical love fest that was Saturday night!



I know what you mean about the quicker transitions between songs in the Chems set (might explain why the looped "fucking excellent acid house" sample was cut from the gig X-D ) as compared to some of the boots we've heard. Actually, at the last Coachella the Chems did in 2003, the song transitions were a lot more stretched out - they seemed to build up slowly and at the end of the songs, taper down gently. Still though, Saturday night was so perfect, from start to finish, I can't think of even the tiniest thing to harp on. It was such great fun and such an experience like no other.



My coworker Kathy (who I tried to get ahold of but she was running late to the fest) was a casual fan at best but is now a convert. It's so cute, when I came to work Monday morning she was donning her new Chemical Brothers t-shirt and kept talking to me about how great that show was. She couldn't get over how fantastic everything sounded, how much energy the Chems had on stage, and how the crowd were so friendly. She was saying that she wanted to watch the first half of Coldplay but got bored after the first song (plus she said some of the Coldplay fans were booing at Bauhaus "get off the stage, you're oooooooold!!" and being general dicks to the Bauhaus fans. Just a bad vibe, so she ran over to the Chems set and there was all this commotion of people spilling outside the tent just dancing there in the grass. She tried edging her way in and some happy dancers pulled her inside so she could see, and the next thing she knew she had about 10 new dancing partners, and just lost herself in the music! I told her, "you've known me for well over 10 years, now you know why I love the Chemical Brothers!"



The only injury I have is the strain done to my vocal chords. I must've screamed a LOT, because my voice is raspy still... well, that and chain smoking probably did the trick.



Ah, that afterglow. Still basking in it... I don't want it to fade away...

dark i felt also the same way with the "Golden Path " it felt all heavenly and all



ok enough of this full review soon !

Nerdy, looking foward to hear your take on last Saturday night!



Glad to see you finally made it to the fest, and I hope all was good and right with the world when you stepped foot into the Sahara tent to witness the Chems. Also really good to hear that your friend is now a fan :D

Ok, how the hell do I burn the tracks from that guys torrent?



they're .flac files, wtf is a flac?



HELP!

flac is a way of lossless compression for WAV files.



http://flac.sourceforge.net/

http://www.ahole.org...24320564d6ad078



for those not able to get to EZT - this is an open tracker

will have the mp3s up on gmail later (just in from NO show- need to sleep)

Ej Dark , it was nice to read the story about your whole Coachella experience !!!! So fuunny you shouted the Fucking Animals thing i did the exact same thing :D Hahahahaaha X-D it sounds like u had a great experience and i see u rrwally really enjoyed the Chems.

And WHirly that story about your co worker , that she was dancing with people she didnt even knew....that's so typical for the Chems crowd !!! Damn after reading all this i can't wait until my 3th Chemical concert...!!! And after MX ( If he will ever return from Planet Dust ) i think my Chemical Buttons will be pushed to the MAXIMUM!

OK, I am looking for any pictures of the Chems at Coachella but I can't seem to find any just yet.



Anyway, there's this festival goer who found this doll thing nmamed Coachee a couple of years ago, and they go around having famous people and anybody they can find pose with this doll. It's really funny! X-D And cool to see people have a sense of humor enough to pose for the camera. Unfortunately, no Tom and Ed and the doll named Coachee - but there's a pic of the doll in front of the Chems trailer.

ElectronicBattleWarrior Escribi�:

http://www.dimeadoze...8549#comm428549



get it while you can folks!



I accually saw it on dime before I read about it here. haha

you need to log in to be able to get this, what is the best way of getting it?

if someone was to upload it to the gmail account then i cud send it to anyone who wants it.