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May 05, 2006
Coachella Spotlight Review: Daft Punk - 4.29.2006
I started this blog for a simple reason. I desperately love music. A copious percentage of my income gets budgeted towards shows, CDs, and various music subscriptions. A tithe to the gods of rock.
My involvement with music dates back to a toddler version of the Swankster thumbing through my father’s Beatles LPs and culminated with being voted “Most likely to be found in a mosh pit” by senior year. Crowning achievements aside, and the dead give away on spending the mid 90s in high school, it also qualifies for longest relationship I've ever had. While very loving, the paucity of music created by yours truly has made the coupling a one way affair. I like to think this site is my way of giving something back.
After the weekend's overwhelming experience at Coachella, highlighted by Daft Punk’s relentless attack on the senses, the least I can do is jock them with some kind words. These are the moments that perpetuate my passion.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind:
Daft Punk @ Sahara Tent - Coachella 4.29.2006
I don’t claim to be an expert on electronic music, just cuddling (ladies I can be reached by email). Other than the Madonna debacle I did not place foot in the dance tent all weekend. The Saturday night menu consisted of Depeche Mode, Joy Division, err Interpol, err.. She Wants Revenge, and Daft Punk. Looking to change gears from rock's domination of the day, my darling Coachella companion and I headed to the massive Sahara tent for much needed break before the last act of what was a very long day of walking to and fro excellent music (Lady Sovereign excluded).
The robot duo from France was the easy choice but by no means a "can't miss" show for either of us. Surveying the frenzied crowd and feeling the buzz of anticipation all around us, we were clearly in the minority. Still, we nuzzled into a comfortable spot with minimal expectations. This all changed upon seeing two darkly dressed men ascend a pyramid shaped platform with notes from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" playing. The rush of energy and plethora of shit-eating grins far and wide quickly dissipated our apathetic attitudes. The Daft Punk messieurs were sporting their trademark robot helmets, but unlike fearsome, evil robots, they waved and gave thumbs up to the exuberant crowd beneath them.
It was like nothing else that day, or the next for that matter. People were pumped. I'm smiling just thinking about it. Nothing makes me happier than a genuinely psyched crowd ready to go off. No hipster smugness to report. Credit the comfortable desert night for soothing the kids’ insecurities and allowing bliss without fear, or good rolls kicking in, whatever.
Pics and more after the jump.
No breaks in the continuous mix. Assaulting the giant crowd with not only a sonic onslaught, but visually with a stunning light show dominated by LCD screens along the base of the pyramid, or as I prefer to call it - Daft Punk's atomic core. White hot! Framing the duo's central position was a giant LED screen flashing patterns, lights, and one word instructions, “TECHNOLOGIC, SHOCK, EXIT." Imagine a giant Lite Brite taken over by German lighting designers raised exclusively on techno.
Daft Punk's robot gimmick is clever. Realizing that two dudes playing with electronic equipment making funky electro sounds is not the most alluring visual, but two robots manning the boards and sequencing an inexorable collage of pounding beats is. Suspending disbelief for a moment, it felt as if this music could not possibly be created by the hands of man. Intelligent design by way of androids with exceptional taste? The real human fear of future robot entrapment abated, at least for an hour or so. With robots like these, why worry?
I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty positive these particular robots were smiling. Awash with fan love (old, and new), the evening ended on a towering high note. No encore despite the demands, but a 12:25am end to Day 1 at Coachella is enough even for the chronically insatiable.
Bonus crowd antics was the cherry on the crème brulee.
You wouldn’t know it from the traditional news outlet’s covering only Madonna and Kanye, but Internet love for Daft Punk’s set is unanimous. Gushing praise is putting it lightly.
Add Merry Swankster to the list:
[Pitchfork] “Daft Punk’s mindblowing appearance. Not to get hyperbolic, but people were crying at two French robots. A seemingly impossible upward trajectory for a solid hour. Heart-attack shit.”
[Kevin Bronson for LA Times] "If you weren't dancing, you were probably dead."
[Central Village] "In order of mindblowness (sic): Daft Punk [#1]." DP was truly amazing. Incredible to have two people manipulate a 35,000 person crowd like that. They mixed a lot of stuff together, knew how to push the crowds buttons and get them going constantly. Just an amazing experience."
[Consumption Junction] "Daft Punk put on one of the best, if not THE best, performance I have ever seen in my life."
[Angry Skunk] "It was the best show I've ever seen in my life. Period. Shows from here on will suck."
Tags: Daft Punk, Coachella, Who cares about Madonna when you got Daft Punk
Posted by Merry Swankster at May 5, 2006 11:00 AM
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Comments
I've jumped out of an airplane, skied down the most stunning mountainous terrain, funneled three beers at the same time, and even got to see Alabama win the NCAA title in 1992 New Orleans style...however, all these events pale in comparison to the Daft Punk show. Enough said.
Posted by: Kelli Douglas at May 5, 2006 11:14 AM
Daft Punk was the most epic and thrilling experience. I am a true drum and bass DJ, but Daft punk was the best dj set i've ever seen compared to the many drum and bass dj sets i've ever experienced. Daft punk was the best live dj set and show that entertainment could possibly provide. They did more than just play the music that the crowd wanted to hear, they put on a show that will take your breathe away, days after the performance and I'm still at utter awe. I feel sorry for anybody that did not catch this show at coachella. Daft Punk was the shit!!! Hands down!
Posted by: Brian at May 6, 2006 03:07 AM
I'll never be able to witness something as incredible as what was witnessed on April 29th 2006, from now on all shows I see will be compared to Daft Punk's and will come nowhere close to being anywhere near as incredible.
Posted by: alt.slack at May 13, 2006 02:47 AM
Je suis un ventilateur punk idiot énorme et je donnerai un coup de pied pour toujours mon art de l'auto-portrait dans la tête pour manquer ce concert !
And for those of you who don’t speak French.
I am a huge daft punk fan and I will forever kick my self in the head for missing this concert!
Roche sur des Punks !
Posted by: Ryan at May 16, 2006 09:19 AM
The show was incredible.. best show of my life.. but they were not doing a "dj" set, they were using ABLETON Live.
just an FYI
Posted by: Greg at May 23, 2006 08:34 PM
Most amazing show of my life. Drugs or no drugs.
Posted by: Bobby at June 22, 2006 12:23 AM
[Toll Bells in the background]
Silence
[Toll Bells in the background again]
One More Time...We're gonna celebrate...
==============
Not only was it the best show i've ever seen...it was the best party. It was a Party! I danced with at least 40 people in 1 hour. Everybody was dancin', just enjoying every single second of LE MUSIQUE.
(tinglin' sensation runs through my back)
Posted by: Hector Padilla at June 22, 2006 01:43 PM
BY FAR one of the best shows I've ever seen. I'm actually thinking of flying out to Europe just to see these guys again. Absolutely f%cking amazing. By the way, there's a sick high res recording of this show out on the file sharing networks if you don't own it already...
Posted by: The Tortus at June 30, 2006 03:34 PM
Im from Australia and ive only seen the video from the internet. It was mind blowing and i can say that id give my left nut to see them live!
Posted by: Luke at July 21, 2006 07:38 AM
im also from australia and luke is a mate of mine who showed me the vid clip. its fkn mad and i wish i was there. about 4 hours i also just had 1.5 pills
Posted by: nick at July 30, 2006 02:47 PM
Jesus folks - typical yanks. Daft Punk were the dogs bollocks over here (Europe) nearly ten years ago. Where have you lot been? But of course - invading Iraq, getting fat and finally (ten years after everyone else) 'getting' dance music.
Posted by: Bemused at August 2, 2006 07:22 PM
i seen them last month at global gathering in uk and it was the best night of my life. tottally amazing
am thinking of coming to miami november 11th to see them again now !!!!!
Posted by: daft fan at August 11, 2006 04:04 PM
ah thanks for helping me relive the memory... hands down the best performance that weekend!!
Posted by: oroooo at October 13, 2006 11:46 AM
Daft Punk at coachella was proof in the putting, there is nothing better than Daft, not only was the show the most exciting, awe inspiring expierence of my life, it was so great to be part of their first show of their tour. I rep for OM records which is primarly house music, I am a house fanatic, this set was by far the most energetic and soulfull expierence ever! I remember it like if it was a lsd experience. Daft Punk is not like anyother band, dj, or group. Astonishing!
Posted by: PALMER! at November 25, 2006 05:13 PM
For a San Diego native into the the underground house scene. I wasnt really excited to listen to those dance songs. I used to listen those tracks when I was parting in TJ. in the high school days. COACHELLA 2006. Myself and the five most perfect people I could have hung out with that weekend, walked to the Sahara tent @ Coachella not really knowing what to expect.... FUCKIN A!!!! BY FAR THE BEST MUSICAL PROFORMANCE I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!! Listening to the CD of that live set still gives me goosebumps. Even to this day. Its almost been a year since. Ive gone to Coachella 4 years in a row, but seriously doubt any future show will top the way those amazing robots blew our fucking minds.... Much love
Posted by: SAUL at February 1, 2007 07:11 AM
second time I see these 2 crazy guys. I can't imagine a better show.
just one thing to say... If they are on the same planet as you, go see them!
Posted by: david at July 8, 2007 01:08 PM
is this the same event:http://jamsbio.com/index.php?page=memory&memoryId=c340e4b41819991d011819f2eba70031
?
Posted by: freekz at April 11, 2008 12:56 AM
ah tiny url: http://tinyurl.com/3q736j
Posted by: freekz at April 11, 2008 12:58 AM
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