The event I never knew I’d be able to see in my life almost could have been anti-climatic. Throbbing Gristle could not have possibly lived up to the expectations I built up over the years (back when I assumed, with good reason, that there’s no chance of them ever getting back together) but, despite the geriatric jet-lagged group, got pretty damn close. There IS a difference and they did crazy things on stage. I’m so glad I got to see “Hamburger Lady” live. It was done quite different on stage. Also, the quality of the sounds themselves were very good. I really lock into the texture of the sounds themselves (believe it or not, I’m not a druggie) and hearing those analog repetitive loops blare off the stage was, as GPO his/herself suggested, “orgasmic”. Oooh yeah.

Too bad it was a festival and there were two bands I had to see, the aforementioned TG and The Cure! I got some good moments in, but between the concert-jumping I managed to miss both Genesis kissing the tattoo of his dead x-wife and “lovesong”. What’s the opposite of a hybrid… a lobrid? Yeah, a festival is a lobrid, because though in theory, the different areas are for different kinds of people, in practice coming primarily for two different headlining acts is an eventuality. Though the sounds of those two bands I came to see are quiiiite different, there is considerably overlap in their fan bases (people who dress in black.. people who like songs dripping with emotion – yes TG’s songs do!) Oh well. Maybe I can be crazy and try to see TG tonight, though I probably will not have time, what with speaking in foreign tongues to future in-laws and all…

There isn’t so much to say about The Cure. They’re performance was perfect. Robert Smith is so dramatic and his voice is impressive (I didn’t use to be a fan of his voice, even though I still liked the Cure, go figure). They started out with the first track from their new album. Robert Smith should lose weight in a way that doesn’t involve going back to his old ways. If he jogged regularly like Jagger does, then their performance would go beyond legendary to.. ugh, whatever is beyond legendary. Yes.

So, in conclusion, I might go to Coachella again. It’s a good experience, but I’m just more of a concert guy. One stage, preferrably where the fans of the main band and of earlier bands are mostly the same people. Yeah, that’s good. Nothing has topped the Current 93 concert in San Fran’ for me yet…