I'm predicting Pearl Jam -- here's why:

[walkunafraid]

Although Pearl Jam has been surreptitiously mentioned here a few times, they haven't really been discussed as a serious rumor. However, I think they might just be one of the headliners this year. Here's why:

1) 2008 will mark the 15 year anniversary of Pearl Jam's infamous "Shoe the Shoeless" show at the Empire Polo Grounds (ie, Coachella's turf) in 1993. They practically broke in Indio and the Polo Grounds for concerts; very few shows had been played there before them. Quoted directly from a USA Today article about Coachella:

"1993: Pearl Jam plays the Empire Polo Club. The 25,000 fans it attracts fill only a corner of the vast polo field, convincing Coachella co-founders Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen they could draw a sizable crowd with several stages and multiple bands, offering music that can't be heard on radio."

2) According to the L.A. Times blog, "Next week, you can expect an announcement of the roster, which I was told cryptically might include a surprising veteran act or two (not David Bowie)."

Although not enough to be considered a strong hint at Pearl Jam, PJ is definitely a veteran act, and would seem to be a surprise, especially since a few years ago they proclaimed that they would no longer play festivals. (Only recently have they changed their mind on that, and in the last year have played a few festivals, including Lollapalooza.)

3) At the beginning of January, the band's website sent a message out to its e-mail subscribers. Here's what it said:

"We're all really excited about 2008 and we really hope you are, too. While it's still too early to make any big announcements, we want to let you all know that the band is looking forward to a busy year ..."

Hmm...excitement about 2008..."too early" for announcements, but hinting that there are some to come...the band looking forward to a busy year (sounds like a tour)...that's more like it.

4) Pearl Jam has been strongly rumored to be playing a festival in 2008. Most people have assumed Bonnaroo, but why not Coachella?

5) The band hasn't been on the road much in the last year, and as a very significant touring band, they are itching to get back on the road. Coachella would be a great place to kick it all off.

6) Eddie Vedder has been on a roll recently, culminating with him picking up a Golden Globe award for best song on a film soundtrack a few days ago. If not the whole band, how about an Eddie solo set?

Thoughts?

[waxybk]

[J~$$$]

I like that you did ur homework I am feeling you walkunafraid.

[leo01g]

I would really want Pearl Jam there

[summerkid]

I just think its The Roo for them but its possible.

[waxybk]

There, now I'm just as cool and in-the-know as you are.

Hehehe...

[oddlockset]

I was at Lollapalooza last year when Pearl Jam was there, and I didn't really think it was anything special. Plus, they cut off TV On the Radio's set, which was a criminal act.

[captncrzy]

I like that you did ur homework I am feeling you walkunafraid.

I agree with this statement.

[kreutz2112]

I approve of this thread. PJ needs to be at Coachella. Good job walkunafraid.

[Sexecutioner]

4) Pearl Jam has been strongly rumored to be playing a festival in 2008. Most people have assumed Bonnaroo, but why not Coachella?

Because Jeff Ament allegedly said it was Bonnaroo, thats why.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love more than anything for them to play Coachella. I've been hoping every year that they are on the lineup, but I don't think its happening. They will play Bonnaroo instead.

[summerkid]

i guess i could always go to sleep early that night or hopefully check out someone else.

[Sexecutioner]

I was at Lollapalooza last year when Pearl Jam was there, and I didn't really think it was anything special. Plus, they cut off TV On the Radio's set, which was a criminal act.

thinkin that tv on the radio is better than pj is a criminal act. suck it.

[kreutz2112]

have you ever seen PJ live summerkid?

[sbessiso]

ehhhh, i'll be way underwhelmed, but then again, im shooting for the stars

[Sexecutioner]

i guess i could always go to sleep early that night or hopefully check out someone else.

if you saw them the last time they came to sd, you wouldnt feel that way.

[summerkid]

no, i hate eddie vedder.

[shotglass75]

For a great straight forward, crowd singing along, guitar soloing, political, rock n' roll show, Pearl Jam is the band to do it. They were amazing at Lollapalooza and probably were my favorite surprisingly. Unfortunately, if Chems or Underworld or someone like that is up against them, I will be at another stage.

[Sexecutioner]

no, i hate eddie vedder.

i hate you.

[summerkid]

<3 .

[walkunafraid]

Because Jeff Ament allegedly said it was Bonnaroo, thats why.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love more than anything for them to play Coachella. I've been hoping every year that they are on the lineup, but I don't think its happening. They will play Bonnaroo instead.

Good point about Ament.

What about Eddie solo? That would definitely be a veteran "surprise," especially since he has only played one solo show since releasing his only solo record.

Coachella might be a good place to play for him -- he doesn't have to be a headliner, but would still draw a huge crowd, and it would be a cool environment for a nice little ukulele set.

[sbessiso]

im seriously digging this vedder solo idea, that might be interesting, unless its the same time as this proposed orgy im hearing about

[Sexecutioner]

Good point about Ament.

What about Eddie solo? That would definitely be a veteran "surprise," especially since he has only played one solo show since releasing his only solo record.

Coachella might be a good place to play for him -- he doesn't have to be a headliner, but would still draw a huge crowd, and it would be a cool environment for a nice little ukulele set.

yea, ive been thinkin that too. a solo set by eddie would be pretty cool. it might be a bit boring for coachella though. im usually all about high energy acts when im there. even though i love sigur ros, and love their live show by itself, i cant stand sitting through their set at coachella. its such a downer. i like to jump around when im at the polo fields.

[amyzzz]

I hate Pearl Jam.

[luckyface]

As long as he doesn't do a damn uke solo set, I will be happy to see Eddie there.

It would be nice for PJ to play, but I am putting a lot of faith into that story posted on PJ's board about Jeff saying Bonaroo.

[dontfeedthebird]

if eddie plays solo, that means no pearl jam songs? i'd be sad, as well as at another stage.

[NoGwenPlease]

I think that Pearl Jam would be a welcome addition but I don't think they're a sucky enough pop band to draw a whorde of people away from someone I want to see.

[MaxPowers]

I would take Pearl Jam over No Doubt.

[malcolmjamalawesome]

I want to fail this thread so badly. Yet, I do not.

[nocigarettes]

good research. who knows.

as long as the remainder of the lineup is good, thats all that i care for really

[scoop49er]

good reading. finally a person with under 100 posts with something to bring!