Willie Nelson: For Real Or Placeholder?

[sacleonard]

I searched for this elsewhere, so hopefully this post isn't redundant. However, Willie Nelson's placement near the top of the bill seems out of place to me (sorry Willie fans!). Yes, I understand that he may be playing both festivals, but I have to wonder if he is really serving as a placeholder for another (yet-to-be-announced) artist. Any thoughts?

[ayates]

Good point. It does seem odd to be playing both festivals and to be billed so high at Coachella and headlining Stagecoach. GV has been known to play a hoax in the past...*ahem*...

[dizfactor]

I don't see any reason to believe it's not for real. I'm assuming he will be closing out the second stage on Sunday night, which should be perfect.

[Tylerdurden31]

Willie Nelson owns

[sacleonard]

Uhh, assuming he is playing, they aren't even playing the same day. What are you blathering about?

Exactly. In fact, it will be even worse... getting blown out by Rage Against The Machine. The only way I see that one playing out would be if Rage played early (until 11pm), and then Willie had the 11-midnight slot (very unlikely).

If he plays, I think that it will be an earlier slot on one of the two stages.

[MrAmeche]

I'm assuming he will be closing out the second stage on Sunday night, which should be perfect.

Except that he'll get blown out by the RHCPs, like Interpol did in '03

[sacleonard]

Somehow I went back in time... strange.

[ayates]

Except that he'll get blown out by the RHCPs, like Interpol did in '03

Uhh, assuming he is playing, they aren't even playing the same day. What are you blathering about?

[dizfactor]

Exactly. In fact, it will be even worse... getting blown out by Rage Against The Machine.

I think they try to counter-program the headliners with people drawing from very different fanbases and crowds. I think that RATM and Willie Nelson would have very little overlap, and would have totally different moods. People who don't want to bust heads in the pit for Rage can chill out at the second stage with Willie. That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

[ayates]

I think they try to counter-program the headliners with people drawing from very different fanbases and crowds. I think that RATM and Willie Nelson would have very little overlap, and would have totally different moods. People who don't want to bust heads in the pit for Rage can chill out at the second stage with Willie. That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

That would make sense much like last year. They had Tool and the Scissor Sisters play at the same time. Two TOTALLY different fan bases. I hadn't thought about the decoy factor until just now and while it might serve to be bogus I'll remain a skeptic because that's my nature with these festival lineups.

[MrAmeche]

That's not "being blown out," that's just smart booking.

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

[noisemachine]

I wanna see Willie, but Im probably gonna go to Stagecoach, so I'll catch him there. As for the placeholder theory...interesting. I doubt it, but would be cool. Would still love to see Portishead stuck in there.

[dizfactor]

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

Really? I've never had a problem with that. I've been at the second stage with some awfully loud headliners on the main stage and I've never had any problems hearing. I've always been kind of amazed at how well the sound systems are set up that I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

[microcuts]

I don't think GV has never put a "placeholder" on a poster before. That sounds kind of shady, honestly. But then again they deliberately fooled people into thinking The Police were playing this year, so I guess anything's possible.

[microcuts]

Really? I've never had a problem with that. I've been at the second stage with some awfully loud headliners on the main stage and I've never had any problems hearing. I've always been kind of amazed at how well the sound systems are set up that I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

It all depends on where you are situated, of course. If you're on the edge of the mainstage area, you could very well get some 2nd stage bleeding through, and vice versa. I think MF Doom was clearly audible during the sheer quietness of Radiohead's 'Exit Music for a film' in 2004.

[MrAmeche]

I feel like each stage is a sonic world of its own, no matter who's playing next door.

I could literally make out RHCP lyrics during Interpol in 2003, and I've noted a fair amount of soundbleed from the Sahara tent into whichever tent is adjacent. But overall, I will say Coachella does a better job with this than other festivals I've been to.

[ayates]

I don't think GV has never put a "placeholder" on a poster before. That sounds kind of shady, honestly. But then again they deliberately fooled people into thinking The Police were playing this year, so I guess anything's possible.

This is true, but maybe Willie will forget to file his taxes and will be unavailable for April 29th. In any event, it is an interesting theory as to why GV would book him for two shows in consecutive weeks. That's pretty weak and strange at the same time.

[sacleonard]

I'm not saying it isn't smart to have him go up against Rage (yes, not RHCP as I misstated before). I'm just saying if he does he'll get blown out by the music from the main stage. A louder electric rock or hip-hop act would stand a better chance, judging from my previous Coachella experiences.

That was my point... not who's better, but that Rage will over-shadow his set from across the lawn.

[conzertfreek]

I wanna see Willie, but Im probably gonna go to Stagecoach, so I'll catch him there. As for the placeholder theory...interesting. I doubt it, but would be cool. Would still love to see Portishead stuck in there.

I would love it if they added PORTISHEAD!!!

[NoneForMeThanks]

Really? I've never had a problem with that. I've been at the second stage with some awfully loud headliners on the main stage and I've never had any problems hearing.

Belle & Sebastian vs. Foo Fighters

It all just depends on how the wind is blowing and which song each artist is playing at the time.

[suprefan]

Potishead on day 1, thats the only day that has a lot of room to add bands....

[dizfactor]

In any event, it is an interesting theory as to why GV would book him for two shows in consecutive weeks.

Well, look at Johnny Cash. He sold a metric fuckton of albums when he was repackaged in such a way as to reintroduce him to a Coachella sort of audience. Maybe Willie wants a chance to expose his work to that same audience, and since he's playing in the area the next week anyway...

[microcuts]

Bands
Friday - 33
Saturday - 41
Sunday - 38

looks like Friday and Sunday will have some more additions. Saturday's probably all set.

[sacleonard]

Bands
Friday - 33
Saturday - 41
Sunday - 38

looks like Friday and Sunday will have some more additions. Saturday's probably all set.

That's a great point. Willie or Willie-free, I don't think that we're done yet.

[ayates]

Bands
Friday - 33
Saturday - 41
Sunday - 38

looks like Friday and Sunday will have some more additions. Saturday's probably all set.

No, RHCP has to die in a fire, be replaced and then we'll be all set.

[ciaoq]

willie nelson is a terrible addition in my opinion. he no longer cares about his live shows and he just looks so wrong on the line up.

[shotglass75]

Yeah, but he gets the best pot and has history so let him play. I remember reading somewhere that The Secret Machines saw him live at Austin City Limits and they said he was absolutly amazing. What do we know of his live shows anyways? Give the hick a chance I say!!!

[ciaoq]

my parents saw him last saturday and said he was crap. he also got one of the worst write ups in the paper i have ever seen

[chunk]

my parents saw him last saturday and said he was crap. he also got one of the worst write ups in the paper i have ever seen

your parents? well then, that just seals the deal. we all know how hip your parents are. they go to willie nelson shows.

[brenda]

willie nelson is hella old! how would that make parents hip?
if your blazed out with him.. he probly wouldnt be "crap"