Goldenvoice Is Trying Its Hardest To Avoid An All Points West Sophomore Slump

...But the jury's out whether or not they'll have succeeded by the time the last throng of Coldplay fans exits Liberty State Park at midnight on August 2nd. We attended Saturday's go around last summer, and listen, there was a lot to love about the inagurual soiree -- namely, Radiohead -- but there was also a lot to kind of bitch about too. The beer thing was a fiasco for a lot of people, as was the ill-conceived matter of getting everyone out of Liberty State Park at festival's end. But mostly, the heart of the festival (read: the bands) was undeniably lackluster. (Choosing to decide who to see between Alberta Cross and Sia was the most boring dilemma ever, you guys.)

So Goldenvoice has certainly attempted to add a bit more shine to this year's lineup. Beasties, Fleet Foxes, My Bloody Valentine, Mogwai and MGMT are all worthy of shelling out enough cash for at least one day. And there's comedy this year, an inclusion that makes Sunday an automatic must-see (SHOWALTER!) But Coldplay? Come on. Replacing Jack Johnson with Chris Martin and Co. does not a successful improvement make. But whatever. Chances are, we'll still be riding the Light Rail at least one of the days. 

All the info can be found at APW's official site. 

Phish Fans Are Stoked, Rest Of The World Is Like, "Whatever"

Well, it's been the worst kept secret in the music world for several months, but America's favorite reunited hippies (read: Phish) are headlining two nights of the eighth annual Bonnaroo festival. (Which, you know, is completely neccessary.) The Boss is joining them, hoping to emulate his crotch-tastic Superbowl performance from Sunday, as are the Beasties, David Byrne, Wilco, Nine Inch Nails, Al Green, SNOOP DOGG, Elvis Costello, Animal Collective, MGMT, Bon Iver and a billion others. You have to give the organizers credit: minus the whole Phish thing, the lineup looks pretty okay. 

We'll be trying our hardest to make it down to Manchester this year, after last year's soiree left us awed and hung over. Tickets go on sale exclusively through the festival's official Web site on Saturday (2/7) at noon. Check out a video of the announcement featuring something called "stratostencil animation" (whatever that is) after the jump. Not as good as Lewis Black, unfortunately.  

Are The Smiths Reuniting For Coachella?

Although we pride ourselves on posting items of proven substance and not just unbridled rumors, this is too huge of a nugget not to speculate on. The above poster for this year's Coachella festival started floating around the Internet this morning, and real or fake, it's immediately sent Smiths fanboys like myself brimming with dangerous excitement. Could this finally be the year that the legendary band so notoriously adverse to reuniting (repeatedly declining massive -- we're talking massive -- offers for reunions in the past) actually swallows their pride to appease the world? Just imagine.

History tells us that we're probably in for another letdown, what with Morrissey riding high on his upcoming (and excellent) Years Of Refusal and his foil Johnny Marr still very busy with Modest Mouse and more recently, The Cribs. But at least I can cling to a glimmer of hope on this beautiful Monday morning that this wild dream comes to fruition and the indibutably-photoshopped poster above is actually a flaming vision of reality. 

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.

Lewis Black Is Down With Bonnaroo

Mark your calendars, indie-rock fans and drug enthusiasts: the eighth annual Bonnaroo launches June 11, 2009! (Has it really been eight years? Or is it more like four great years preceded by four annual Trey Anastasio benders that nobody but hippies gave a shit about?) Yup, the fine folks at Superfly Productions and A.C. Entertainment announced this morning that tickets for 'Roo '09 go on sale this Thursday, December 4 through the end of the year. Snatch them up now. As Vince can surely attest, you're in for the experience (and subsequent hangover) of your life. There's a nifty payment plan for the tickets, but don't listen to me about it: Let Lewis violently explain in the video above. We're psyched... and only a little bit scared.