Everyone has probably heard by now that Prince will now be appearing at this year’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. And many have also likely heard that it cost Goldenvoice – the event’s promoter – $4.8 million to get the star of Purple Rain to ditch the Rio for a night to come play in the Indio desert for an hour or so.
I am a complete and total blasphemer when it comes to classic music (I’m an electronic music DJ). I don’t own a single Beatles album. I actually got in a flap with a friend recently because I had never even listened to one of their albums the whole way through. Same goes with Prince. Not that I don’t have tons of respect for the guy – his music just doesn’t get me excited.
To all of the people, however, who think I’m stark raving mad, how do you feel about the addition and the supposed price tag? I’ve been to Coachella twice now and think it’s just about the greatest music event ever. I’ve learned that no matter the lineup and how much the message board music snob community bashes it, it’s always a good time because it’s so well organized and the setting is unbeatable.
However, Jack Johnson raised some shaggy hipster eyebrows as a headliner (but Dwight Yoakam has gotten a pass as a performer…go figure). Add that to last year’s money-grubbing decision to expand the festival to three days, diluting individual day lineups, and you have telltale signs of the inevitable commercialization of one of the great festivals of this generation.
Opinions differ on whether or not the Prince addition was a move to boost ailing ticket sales as the festival approaches. I have a source relatively close to Goldenvoice who has confirmed this to be true. They definitely did not pull off a lineup coup on the caliber of Daft Punk performing for the first time in nine years or a Rage Against The Machine reunion.
Thoughts from long time Coachella vets? Music heads? Prince fans?
Tags: coachella, mucho deneiro, prince
Prince is a legend, a musical genious, and from what I’ve heard puts on an incredible show so having him there will no doubt be mind-blowing. His addition to the line-up made me think of Madonna a couple years back, which was apparently a big flop, but I think it would be tough for Prince to disappoint. Considering that tickets for his shows usually sell for as much and more than a one-day pass to Coachella, it’s a privilege to be able to see him in the mix of all the rest of the incredible music that day. Sure, Coachella is a huge commercial money-making extravaganza, but it’s f-ing awesome! At least it’s a well-run event and I always feel like I get my money’s worth, unlike the disastrous Rock the Bells. My only fear is that his set will be at the same time as Portishead…would Goldenvoice do that to us??
That being said, Prince’s fee for less than 2 hrs of work could support my nonprofit for 2 years!! Hopefully Prince is a big giver and helps to redistribute that absurd wealth a little.
$4.8 m I think is cheap at half the price for Prince – if I had the money he would be in London permenantly. And what gives “star of Purple Rain to ditch the Rio for a night to come play in the Indio desert for an hour or so” the Rio was last year !!!!!!
I’ve been priviledged enough to see Prince live several times, and it is well worth the money… he is a true legend, a musician and preformer like no other. I find it hard to believe that you are unfamiliar with his music… I am sure once you are actually seeing his set, you will be surprised at how familiar his songs are to you. (especially his classic songs).
And SN… as a matter of fact, Prince is a big giver… his fragrance he recently came out donated a portion of sales to 7 charities. As well, he has always been known for supporting many charities, many of which are education based…