In addition to its always eclectic, star-studded lineup, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has established a reputation for frequently landing the hotly sought return of a major indie-rock figurehead. According to a report in the Los Angeles Times , this year’s major coup is a reunion of thrashing political rockers Rage Against the Machine, who have not played together for seven years. The band is expected to get together for a one-off headlining show at the eighth edition of the three-day festival, which they last played in 1999.
Also reportedly joining Rage on the bill are Coachella veterans the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who headlined in 2003, as well as Björk, who played in 2002. Though organizers have not officially announced a lineup for the festival, which runs from April 27-29 in Indio, California, the Times reported that other bands expected to perform include the Arcade Fire, Interpol, the Roots, the Decemberists, Arctic Monkeys, Sonic Youth, Kings of Leon, Willie Nelson, Air and a reunited Crowded House. Three-day passes for the fest will run about $250, with tickets going on sale Saturday.
In the history of unlikely reunions that have launched on the stages at Coachella – among them Detroit garage-punk icons the Stooges and modern-rock godheads the Pixies – the reported reunion of Rage is among the least likely.
The group splintered in 2000 , with guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk joining former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell in the group Audioslave while vocalist/rapper Zack de la Rocha all but disappeared from the music scene. Though de la Rocha has sporadically appeared at public events and recorded songs with DJ Shadow, Saul Williams and Blackalicious, his long-rumored solo album has yet to surface and he has made few public statements since the dissolution of Rage.
