Paul McCartney at Coachella: The former Beatle doesn't quite fit the demographic

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The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival got famous by presenting the sounds of today and tomorrow. But this year California's most celebrated live-music event is gambling on Paul McCartney and the music of "Yesterday."

Booking the former Beatle, who is listed in the record books as the most successful musician in pop history, would be the safest choice imaginable for most music festivals.

But the internationally respected Coachella festival, which is set for April 17-19, has been pulling in crowds of more than 140,000 fans by taking an edgier path with alt-rock heroes you would hear on a college town's pirate radio station.

Presented with a chance to tap into music history and veteran star power, the promoters have signed the 66-year-old icon, who personifies the mature pop mainstream. The move could help the festival compete amid a grim economy and a host of imitators that have sprung up across the country; the news of McCartney's presence -- for better or worse -- instantly will make Coachella a hot topic with music fans nationwide who have been anxiously awaiting the list of this year's headliners.

What remains to be seen is whether the choice will cost the festival credibility with its core clientele: young fans who are more likely to listen to the White Stripes than the "White Album" and who are far more familiar with Rage Against the Machine than "Band on the Run."

From Paris, McCartney sent word Thursday that he was thrilled with the idea of playing to a new crowd. "I have heard that Coachella is one of the greatest festivals in the world," he said in a statement sent to The Times. "I'm really excited to get out there and rock!"

McCartney is just one of 120 acts at the festival. Most of them, including the Killers, Franz Ferdinand and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, perfectly fit the event's tradition of connoisseur alt-rock.

There also will be sets by the Cure, Morrissey and My Bloody Valentine, three revered acts from the 1980s and 1990s British scene, as well as a performance from neo-soul singer Amy Winehouse, whose train-wreck tabloid life has made her a digital age version of Janis Joplin.

Still, despite those compelling bookings, Paul Tollett, the festival's chief architect, knows that his decision to bring in a living legend from the 1960s will dominate discussion between now and Sir Paul's main-stage set on the festival's first night.

One-fourth of the Fab Four is big news no matter the year.

"This is a Beatle. That's huge," said Tollett, who has shown a flair for surprises in recent years. He and his partners at concert promotion company AEG booked Madonna in 2006, but the setting -- a dance-tent instead of the main stage -- made it an isolated, intriguing experiment.

The Coachella team also has brought in Willie Nelson, Pink Floyd alum Roger Waters and Prince, and this year has elegiac folk songwriter Leonard Cohen, who has not performed in the U.S. since 1993.

But each of those curveball performers has a maverick sensibility that connects with Coachella's indie-rock streak. McCartney is still the man who sang "Silly Love Songs."

There are plenty of people in the music industry who say it's foolish to doubt the Coachella leadership -- or that Beatles songbook.

"If they can pull off Madonna at Coachella, they can do anything," said Gary Bongiovanni, the editor in chief of Pollstar, the concert-industry trade publication. "Coachella is the king. I can see McCartney wanting to play Coachella because it gives him the chance to reach a different audience."

"I'm not sure what Coachella gets from him, though," Bongiovanni said. "It may pull in some older fans, but for the usual Coachella audience, I don't know that they will really get excited about seeing him -- although they might enjoy the show once they are there."

The legacy of the Beatles echoes throughout every corner of modern music, and Coachella fans have heard it firsthand in past performances by Oasis, Coldplay, the Verve and plenty of other stars who draw on the Fab Four. To win over the crowd, McCartney will probably steer clear of "Say Say Say" and lean into edgier material such as "Helter Skelter" and "Live and Let Die."

McCartney, whose romantic life has been a topic of intense interest in the British press, has been a rejuvenated music figure in recent years. Critics praised last year's "Electric Arguments," the third album released under the name the Fireman, McCartney's electronic-minded collaboration with producer Youth.

His more traditional solo work in the last few years has included "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," the 2005 release that was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including album of the year.

It's safe to say that many Coachella fans will shrug when they see McCartney's name on the list of performers. Tollett said there was a significant percentage of return customers who ignore the main stage altogether.

"A lot of people come to see bands that they don't know much about yet," Tollett said.

This year some of the up-and-coming acts include TV on the Radio, Band of Horses, Fleet Foxes, Glasvegas, White Lies, the Knux, the Ting Tings and Beirut. Veterans such as X, Paul Weller and Public Enemy also will draw many fans.

Still, despite pent-up interest, the festival at the Empire Polo Club is up against dismal economic realities.

Tickets go on sale today at 9 a.m., with a three-day pass going for $281 and single-day admission for $103. That's a lot for young fans and European visitors, who also might consider rival summer festivals such as Bonnaroo in Tennessee (which reportedly will be headlined by Bruce Springsteen and Phish) and Lollapalooza in Chicago.

Coachella promoters have announced a layaway payment plan for the first time and will be heavily promoting the $55-per-person on-site camping option.

Tollett also organizes the Stagecoach Festival, a late April country music version of Coachella in Indio, and 24% of the tickets sold to date have been through a similar layaway program.

"These are tough times for people," he said, "and we'll do what it takes to get them to come to the show."

-Geoff Boucher

Photo credit: CBS

Comments

[nemo]

And McCartney who is always more revelent than OASIS ever was. They never really were very original and simply wanted to remake everything the Beatles did the first time around.

[Jeff Wagner]

Considering that this guy hasn't done ANYTHING worth listening to in over 30 years and that even his stuff for the Beatles pales besides the least interesting stuff by John Lennon, I think it is ridiculous to pay him to do anything.

As was recently observed, he is arguably the most talented surviving Beatle but no more than that.

[Menotti]

This guy has no idea what he's talking about. Sure, a lot of people stay away form the main stages because the smaller shows are often more fun and crazy. But this is Paul McCartney, a music legend. This is as close to the Beatles as you can get. Only the die-hard electro kids skipped all of Roger Waters last year

[Kurt]

This article typifies what is wrong with the music industry (especially radio) these days. They think things need to fit a demographic or a genre to be any good. Everyone has self-segregated their musical tastes to the point where there is no place for a band that puts together great albums or that doesn't quite fit into the little radio niche that some suit thinks is what the kids like. A good object lesson is Counting Crows latest album Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings. They have rock, hard rock, folk ballads and country songs on the album. The singles Geffen released were a ironic country rock song, a folk song and a screaming hard rock song. Turns out, none of them fit into a radio genre or demographic, even though the album could be the last of the great rock albums. It is sad really. Imagine what would happen to Booker T and the MG's now.

[Papa Sharp]

"the Killers, Franz Ferdinand and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs"... "connoisseur alt-rock."

LOL

[Jared J. H. Catapano]

This year's show looks like it's got an excellent line-up. Certainly wish it weren't so far away from us East-Coasters! By the way, that's people from the East Coast and not beverage placemats from the Far East.

http://music.ology.com/2009/01/30/coachella-lineup-announced-and-its-an-orgasm-of-awesome/

-Jared J. H. Catapano (ology.com)

[Bob55]

I'm glad to see the passion for different styles of music but music is for enjoyment and just because your taste isn't the same as someone else's doesn't make it bad. I have my own opinions but don't want to put someone down for what makes them happy. I started appreciating music in the late 60's but have been able to find (IMO) good/great bands all the time. I think the best music is usually done after a band has grown a bit but early in their career with a few exceptions. Sir Paul, The Cure, Oasis or Rage aren't current and maybe the Killers or Franz Ferdinand aren't cutting edge but if you like them - enjoy. And the old bands led the way for today's music. But what do I know.

[Bob55]

I'm glad to see the passion for different styles of music but music is for enjoyment and just because your taste isn't the same as someone else's doesn't make it bad. I have my own opinions but don't want to put someone down for what makes them happy. I started appreciating music in the late 60's but have been able to find (IMO) good/great bands all the time. I think the best music is usually done after a band has grown a bit but early in their career with a few exceptions. Sir Paul, The Cure, Oasis or Rage aren't current and maybe the Killers or Franz Ferdinand aren't cutting edge but if you like them - enjoy. And the old bands led the way for today's music. But what do I know.

[Candyce M]

Do me a favor and visit the Coachella Message Board. I've even provided you with a link. Next time do a little research into the demographic of the Coachella goers and what we find worth it before you write your next article about us. We have wide ranging taste. Don't type cast us.

[Ryan]

Brian Wilson would have been a more interesting choice than McCartney. At least BW could refer specifically to his Pet Sounds/Smile work and every single piece of talent at the fest would be there stage center paying their respects.

[CE]

Congratulations to Coachella for not having the same vapid hipster mentality as this critic. Kids today have much more varied musical taste than he gives them credit for.

BTW - what makes McCartney an oddball choice, but not Leonard Cohen, a folk singer in his 70's? I am thrilled that both McCartney and Cohen are performing, along with so many other talented bands most likely influenced by them both.

[waj]

open up w/'why don't we do it in the road', segue into 'helter skelter', and mccartney will own...
also, coachella crowds are pretty open to anything, and this is someone who earned his stripes at the cavern club, braving god knows what...i think paul will more than hold his own.
if one looks at the breadth of his catalog, you'll see links to many of the acts performing...

what's exciting to me is the potential mixing of the generations...what will he make of, say, beirut, black keys, or conor oberst...my dream collaboration would be Sir Paul and Rahzel...but that may just be me...

aside from My Bloody Valentine, i'm way looking forward to Booker T. Jones, and to bring this full circle, to me, one of the great missed opportunites in music was when the Beatles decided not to cut 'Revolver' at Stax Studios...just imagine...

[Kat]

Well, I'm very happy to say that "snobby" young music critics do not represent me.

I am 25 and am VERY excited that Paul McCartney is headlining Coachella. He is my #1 reason for buying the tickets! I have been a Beatlemaniac for more than half my life and I've been waiting forever to see Paul play live. This is a dream come true for me.

BTW, for those who say Paul hasn't done anything good in the past 30 years (or whatever), go out and get yourself a copy of his 2008 album "Electric Arguments." It's awesome!

[andgar]

Can somebody please fire this moron.

I'm a 31 year old producer and Paul McCartney fits in quite perfectly. He's not "alt-rock?" is this writer retarded?

He was partly responsible for Revolver, Sgt Pepper's, The White Album, and other albums that will make Franz Ferdinand shake and quiver. The Beatles either invented or helped mold most of the styles and genres that are present in Coachella.

Paul does not only fit in, he will completely stop the entire festival and have every artist hoping for a chance to hear him.

The "writer" of this article should be introduced at the festival right before Paul gets on stage and be forced to read this inept and ludicrous of an article.

Btw... Rubber Soul>>>>>>>>>>> anything anybody performing in Coachella has ever done or will ever do.

[Roy From Atwater]

I find it quite ironic that a band noted in the article today is named the "Yeah Yeah Yeahs"...I don't know where they got that name from but I know what it brings to mind for me...and, if you want different/alternative from Sir Paul, I have four words for you, "I'm The Urban Spaceman".

[Jon Ray]

I am a young lover of the Beatles, Paul Mccartney and all music. I wish I could speak for everyone, but I guess I can't. Paul Mccartney is one of the most influential musical talents of all of rock and roll and of our lives. I love alt-rock more because I love Paul Mccartney. Or am I an oddity in the demographic?

[this guy knows nothing...]

I am flying in to California just to see Paul McCartney and I am 23. Paul is 66 now and has a young daughter, so seeing him live could be a once in a life time opportunity for many people my age. I hope everyone there is immensely grateful for the fact that he is alive, healthy, and can still sing in the same pitch that he sang in when he was 24 or 25. Paul McCartney is completely impressive...even to people who were born in the 80's. I extremely excited that I get a chance to see him.

[pat]

What kind of moron would post that younger fans would not want to see the ICON Paul Mccartney? Is this guy for real? Perhaps he's been writing in LA so long that he forgets what "real" talent is. Clearly he's never been to a McCartney concert as many of the fans there are very young. The opportunity to see this brilliant singer/songwriter is what will attract the younger fans as if this isn't obvious enough. What a joke this writer is - sad that this trash has to get published at all. Good thing for the internet so people can respond to such moronic writing.

[Eggbert]

I'm still in my 20's and Paul McCartney playing Coachella is a dream come true. The Killers, on the other hand, that's a nightmare. Plus Leonard Cohen. He has not toured in, what, sixteen years? And his playing Coachella means NO LOS ANGELES SHOW, that's how they roll. Do not miss this, at least not Friday.

[Lulz]

It's always painful to read music articles by people who don't know what they're talking about. McCartney is one of the most prolific artists ever. Even the most pretentious music snob wouldn't dare to count Macca out, because he's made at least 20 songs that they love or at least have high respect for. For the rest of us, the number is more like 200. He's also one of the best bass players of all time. Make fun of his lighter stuff like Silly Love Songs all you want, but also realize that it took him about an hour to write those lighter songs and he made millions from them, because there is a big audience for songs like that (WOMEN).

McCartney goes to Israel and the whole country goes nuts. There is still Beatlemania on a local level wherever he goes. This guy is the biggest draw out there. Even people who aren't big fans will still line up to see him so they can say they saw a Beatle live - and they'll probably walk away being fans and wanting to give his stuff a proper listen. Paul is the biggest thing that will ever hit Coachella.

[Jon Ray]

Paul Mccartney's new album is very very contemporary. He fits in more than well in the lineup. Age is a number. I'm 21 years old, going to Coachella and most excited about seeing Paul Mccartney live for the second time in my life.

[YourBlogSucks]

This article is the biggest embarrassment in LA Times history.

[Del Train]

I think Macartney is the only artist in history that can sqeeze into any demographic period.
It should be just left at that. The headline should be..Mccartney at Coachella The Underground is definitely Above Ground Now!...or something like that!

[Ralph Smed]

Now being post McCartney at Coachella, with McCartney a smash, it's clear the author of this article didn't have a clue ...

[chris]

Looks like you were wrong. McCartney rocked Coachella. He called the crown "Darling" at one point. That's awesome.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090418/ap_on_en_mu/coachella_mccartney_s_opener