Coachella music festival includes Thom Yorke, Gorillaz, LCD Soundsystem, Jay-Z

Best lineup in years.

My first time at Coachella was during my senior year at Milken. It was a great period in my life. I was obsessed with music and little else mattered. Radiohead headlined the festival. They were my favorite band. Their set blew me away.

Yes, life was simple.

Since then, I have made the trek out to the desert—to Indio, past Palm Springs—several times. Over the course of the decade, the festival has seen a lot of changes. It is no longer a 2-day festival, but has grown into a 3-day event. The crowds have gotten younger (or maybe I have just gotten older).

The subsequent years failed to capture the magic of my first time, but I guess that shouldn’t be surprising.

Today, Goldenvoice, the festival’s longtime organizer, announced this year’s lineup. I have to say, this is the best they’ve put together in years. Radiohead returns, in a way. Thom Yorke will be one of the third day’s headliners. He will be performing solo material with a band he has put together, which includes Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Is that it? Hardly. On day 3, the Gorillaz, the recently-reunited Pavement, Phoenix and Sly and the Family Stone are all playing. On day 1, you’ve got Jay-Z, LCD Soundsystem, Them Crooked Vultures (made up of Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones), Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear and Passion Pit.

In my opinion, day 2 is the weakest. Still there is plenty to see, like Muse, Tiesto, MGMT, Jack White’s The Dead Weather and festival regulars Hot Chip.

Thank you, Coachella. After a mediocre experience last year, I thought you and I were going our own ways for good. I spoke too soon. To my friends, on April 16-18, if you’re looking for me… try the main stage.