Coachella 2010: Is Lollapalooza about to win a round?

In this era of festival glut, in which our nation's multi-day destination festivals are overrun with a number of the same acts, it's hard, if not impossible, to offer up a lineup that truly trumps a competing event. But is Chicago's Lollapalooza about to do just that? 

Though an official announcement has yet to be made, the Chicago Tribune's Turn it Up blog reports that Lady Gaga, the Strokes, Soundgarden and Arcade Fire are close to being confirmed for the C3 Presents-booked fest. Lady Gaga, a Lolla veteran, certainly has the outsize personality to shine in a festival setting, and the reunited Soundgarden was one of the genuine surprises to be left off the Coachella bill when the fest was announced earlier this year. 

But while those acts are all well and good, we're going to say the real coup here would be the Strokes, which are set to return this fall with a new album. In the Great Festival Bout of 2010, it would give Lolla a solid few points, although the trifecta of the Gorillaz, Thom Yorke and Charlotte Gainsbourg still gives Coachella a lap or two head start, to be mixing sporting terms.

A new album from the Strokes will be the first from the tension-filled New York band since 2006. Our three-day bonanza in Indio is now feeling a little lonely, with only one Stroke on the bill in Julian Casablancas. It should even be noted that by the time the Coachella lineup was announced, the Strokes had already been booked for European fests this summer, so it was clear they were going to embark on the festival circuit.

While Pop & Hiss is of the belief that Casablancas' solo effort was a bit under-appreciated by most critics, it still lacked the drive and immediacy of the Strokes. So here's hoping Goldenvoice and AEG can at least pull out a Fabrizio Moretti to add to the Coachella bill. After all, it's the least organizers could do after dropping veteran cult diva Grace Jones from the bill without even a mention of the news on its website, leaving fans to speculate, wonder and rant. 

Beyond the initial big names, the Tribune reports the expected overlap with Coachella, such as minimalist experts the XX, psychedelic indie rockers Yeasayer and the super-sized milkshake of symphonic pretension that is the widely adored Dirty Projectors.  

-- Todd Martens

Related: 

Coachella vs. Bonnaroo: Tennessee fest books Jay-Z, Weezer, Kid Cudi, DMB, more

Coachella 2010: Jay-Z, Muse, Thom Yorke lead lineup

Ann Powers on Coachella's 2010 lineup: A model for recessionary times

Coachella 2010: Say goodbye to single-day tickets

Photo: Julian Casablancas of the Strokes in 2003. Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Star Child]

Even with the Strokes, Coachella kicks Lollapalooza's ass up and down the block. Um, can you say FAITH NO MORE? And even a bastardized version of Public Image Ltd crushes those Broadway babies Green Day. Pavement? Sly & the Family Stone? FEVER RAY?! Um, yeah. Nice try Chicago, but it's Coachella by a country mile in 2010.

[Max Raymond]

Sorry to ruin your article, but Julian said to the NME that the Strokes are only doing two festivals this summer - Isle Of Wight and RockNess - and that's that for the summer.

http://www.nme.com/news/the-strokes/49722

[Michael]

Is Perry Farrell still in charge of Lollapalloza? The reason I ask is because when he left as curator the first time, subsequent festivals that had headliners in the vein of Lady Gag(a)me, they were abject and utter failures, save for Euroland where more pablum-filled music is tops.

With the exception of Soundgarden and The Strokes, there is NO ONE worth the hefty ticket prices sure to be demanded and myself, as well as countless thousands of others as well, will be hard pressed to spend their hard earned money on such a mundane and 'been-there-done-that' festival as the current line-up suggests.

Too bad. I was really hoping that Lolla was back but with Lady Gag(a)me headlining, I fear we're seeing the very last mounting of this tour ever.

R.I.P. Lolla - you were once THE greatest festival on these shores, but lost your way long ago and with the exception of 2008 with Farrell in charge again, was beyond any help or even worth saving. But Farrell gave it another go and for a short time, was good to go.

Now, someone has decided to go back to the bad days and sign Lady Gag(a)me and such, will be the ultimate death knell of the festival.

R.I.P. Lollapalloza. You were a valued and cherished friend back in the day, but lost your way and never found your way back and now must let to die in peace, once and for all.

Lady Gag(a)me - pathetic, sad, but oh so VERY true...

[Travis Hunter]

Right now I'd rather see Casablancas' solo show. I can't wait for the new Strokes record but I LOVE the Casablancas solo record. I've already seen the Strokes and so has everybody else...haven't seen Casablancas' solo show, but it was great on Letterman! Can't wait for his set on Sunday at Coachella. And finally...who...in the world...cares about Soundgarden?

[Marcello]

Gary Numan is at Coachella. Coachella wins! :-)

[anonymonyous]

a lot of ppl care about soundgarden..the question really...is who in the world...cares about YOU