Is ‘Dark Side’ blowing younger minds?

When the Coachella folks announced Roger Waters' headlining slot tonight, accusations of a dad-rock coup ran rampant. In a world of albums known only through Rapidshare links and concerts experienced entirely through a camera lens for Flickr purposes, what kid is going to sit through two-and-a-half hours of back-to-front Floyd?

Well, judging by the morass of gently-crisped young things splayed on the lawn right now for Waters' set, plenty of them. We asked a few what Floyd means to the Kids These Days, and if their dads would be pleased to see them gape-jawed at the Giant Pig all over again.

Ellis Marte, 18, from San Francisco: "I watched the Dark Side of Oz, so that's how I know most of Floyd. I like it a lot, over the last four years a lot of kids got into classic rock. They think it's cool again, especially kids who play music. They look to classic rock for inspiration."

Caitlin R., 21, a USC student: "I texted my dad to tell him I'm here. He said he was jealous. Roger Waters proves that people who are older can rock out too. There's a lot of new technology in music today, but there's also a lot of appreciation for what this meant at the time."

Vanessa Madrigal, 19, favorite band -- Metric: "I think all the old people came just for this. I know Roger Waters but younger people don't really listen to him. This sounds like it has a lot of emotion, we usually listen to more poppy stuff, but these lyrics are more deep."

Kaitlin Binnewies, 20, Sacramento: "I've never heard any Pink Floyd, but I'm surprised it's this good. None of my friends knew who [Waters] was. I think it's great fun. It's bringing all the people together, I feel there's something for everyone here. "

Bettine Nguyen, 20, Irvine: "The lyrics and stuff are really chill. I was here last year for Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage, and this is so completely different."

-- August Brown and Jessica Gelt

Comments

[The Riverboat Captain]

At least no one said "Which one's Pink?"

[christoph gemes]

After reading the young viewers comments, I am pleased to hear that our rock of our times (60's 70's) Still holds in today's rock interests. I am glad that people can enjoy both the new and old rock.

you kids keep rock alive, Thanks from an old fart rocker.

[cris]

dark side of the moon should be required listening to any music fan of any age, anywhere, period.

[Brian]

Without Pink Floyd, there'd be no Radiohead, no Portishead, no Sigur Ros. I think Waters was a perfect fit for Coachella, and the crowd seemed to be really digging it.

And I'm a 22 year old college student.

[todd Smith]

i could not agree more.....what an amazing production...alot of new bands should pay more attention to the details!!

[M Groesbeck]

If you ask the kids listening to rock these days, some of them probably won't know Pink Floyd. But if you ask the bands that they're listening to -- especially the better ones -- I'm sure you'll find not only familiarity with Pink Floyd but genuine respect.

[Jennifer]

Roger Waters was a questionable addition to this year's Coachella line-up, and I have to say that as a skeptic from the beginning, I was incredibly pleased with how well it played out. The crowd treated him with the utmost respect. It was truly one of the most memorable moments I'll ever experience at Coachella, and I'm proud to say that my generation gave him such a welcome...Because it's true. Without Pink Floyd, we wouldn't have half the bands I worship today...

I was there, and it was inspiring. True greatness.