Top 15 Coachella Moments: #1 – Here’s The Sun, It’s Alright

Firstly, I want to say thanks to everyone that has read these blogs over the past month. I put a lot into them and trying to recreate something un-recreate-able has been a task and a half. Honestly, if you’ve enjoyed the stories and experiences I share, then do yourself a favor and go. It’s not terribly expensive, it’s a hell of a good time, and it’ll change your life.

With that, I’m proud to introduce the top moment of my Coachella history.

#1: Madonna – 2006

Just kidding!

#1: Arcade Fire – 2005

As I explained earlier, Arcade Fire brings a sound unheard during our generation. The show I reported on gave us the mature Arcade Fire, with deep, religious overtones and striking messages of family behavior. The Arcade Fire of 2005 had one album out, a couple tours under their belt, and an energy I had never seen before. I like to think of these guys as the Slipknot from the Great White North.

Just like their later set, this band benefited from the perfect time slot. Performing on the Outdoor Stage as the sun is making its way behind the palm trees, the mood was set for some raucous behavior. Since they only had one album and an LP, I knew what I was in for.

A few moments from this show have been burned into my brain forever. Towards the end of “Neighborhood 2 (Laika)”, two of the 11 members got on the scaffolding of both sides of the stage, climbed about 30-40 feet above the stage, and used the metal bars as their drum set while they pounded the rhythm section into the steel. It was, in a word, breathtaking. I read somewhere that one guy cut his hand and bled all over his keyboard for the rest of the set. I’ve yet to see someone top that single act at any show at any Coachella thus far. Peter Murphy hanging upside down during Bauhaus’ set comes close, but I couldn’t see what the hell was going on, so, it gets DQ’ed.

Lead singer Win Butler really stole the show. His youthful enthusiasm made everyone feel normal in their insanity. That letting it all out on stage was natural and the only way to perform live music. Often compared to a young David Bowie, the awkward, lanky canuck brought something special to a desert  thousands of miles from where he was born.

It’s one thing to have fun watching a show, and it’s a entirely different thing to see the band having even more fun.

His natural tenacity got the better of him and he dove into the crowd during “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out).”

So why does this rank above my personal hero’s 2+ hour set?

Roger Waters was a dream come true. It fulfilled many years of yearning for that type of experience. But Waters’ performance is not unique to Coachella. In fact, that’s a show that he has toured with and perfected for many years. Don’t get me wrong, Waters has captured the hearts and minds of millions across generations and cultures, but that universality makes him almost unapproachable and bigger than life.

Arcade Fire’s performance was raw, energetic, exhilarating, and utterly Coachella. It is the reason you go to things like this, to see unique performances that can’t be seen anywhere else. I’ve seen the Canadian supergroup many times since then, and nothing has matched this set. Honestly, only the mighty Bonnaroo can stand to rival this performance…maybe a countdown of that festival is in order, eh?

I recommend watching this video in full screen, or clicking it to see it bigger on Youtube’s page, as it in very high definition and captures the moment perfectly. No other video I’ve ever seen captures the essence of Coachella as well as this.