Friday, April 24, 2009

New Videocast: Coachella and the text of Rock Festivals


In this videocast I speak about Coachella, the mega rock festival which just took place in Indio, California. Being both a music lover and a literary theorist, I find venues like large-scale music festivals most gripping and worthy of some commentary.

Just why is Coachella so popular with young people and young professionals? Is Indie music something that could be liked cross-generationally?

You can view me discussing these questions here.





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graph per here.

12 comments:

Dee said...

You know, I never feel overwhelmed in big shows. And I don't really do crowds. But there is definitely something energizing about being in the presences of crowds where same interests in music are shared.
The public/private domains are interestingly overlapped in this instance. In this regard, the rock show becomes almost a heterotopia, no?

And can I just say that I am loving the glasses you're rocking here. ;)

Thanks.

-Dee

Dee said...

By the way, which acts are you checking out this year? You mentioned in here that you are going to see a few of the bands that participated at Coachella....

Unknown said...

-Indie rock festivals are very important to me,t oo. I don't just get to check out a lot of bands I like but also see people who like the same music I do in the same setting. The whole space of a rock show has always struck me as rich in tropes, if you will.

-And where did you get those frames?
Very Nietzsche meets Brecht in the year 2009! ;)

Will said...

I think the reason why so many young professionals like festivals like Coachella is because, in a way, these venues serve as a place of therapy, away from the serious business of quotidianity.

Will said...

I think the reason why so many young professionals like festivals like Coachella is because, in a way, these venues serve as a place of therapy, away from the serious business of quotidianity.

Will said...

I think the reason why so many young professionals like festivals like Coachella is because, in a way, these venues serve as a place of therapy, away from the serious business of quotidianity.

Will said...

Sorry about the multiple posting of the comment.... I got carried away with the keyboard :)

Becca said...

Personally, I like Lollapalooza and festivals of this kind because they not only inform me with regards to new music but they provide a new setting in which I can disconnect from the daily activities.

Unknown said...

Btw, what do you think of the new Lollapalooza lineup? Some awesome bands are going to be there....

Shaun said...

I hadn't quite thought of lit. theory and rock shows but I guess when you look like you're so not present when at a show, you're applying lit. theory to the music, right?
I do think that festivals attract young professionals because they allow the latter to disconnect from the routine and reconnect with new sounds. At least that's what I do.

Liam said...

the festival concept is an amazing one. the idea of so many people coming together from all over the world for one cultural event is something that is only an option in our current technological world. most are also a product of today's promotional marketing by large multinational conglomerates.

Sra said...

I haven't had an opportunity to listen to this podcast yet, for the record.

But, I went to Bumbershoot a couple years ago when I visited Seattle. The Shins were headlining, and Janeane Garofalo was there, and a bunch of other acts of interest. Got there early in the morning to check out the crafts section of the festival and had a good time. But by midday, there were so many people at the festival that you literally couldn't move anywhere without touching someone, and that wasn't just near the stages. Because there were so many people, I ended up unable to see some of the acts that I specifically wanted to see. Overall, I found the experience stressful, expensive, and unrewarding.

I had an opportunity to accompany some friends to the Sasquatch festival at The Gorge over memorial day weekend this year. The lineup is amazing, and so I feel a little sorry that I can't manage it monetarily this year, but thinking about my experience at Bumbershoot makes me feel better about missing out.

Now, give me a small venue with a great act and true fans, and I'm in heaven.