Coachella 2013: The Airborne Toxic Event, wishing very well
Kevin Bronson on
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Who: The Airborne Toxic Event at the main stage
In 3 or Fewer Words: So it goes.
Memorable Because: The ever-divisive Airborne Toxic Event’s career is well catalogued in the annals of Buzz Bands LA, as well as on my own blog. But in recent years the band’s narrative has exhausted all the story beats, and so here we are, the Airborne Toxic Event busted down from their late afternoon set in 2009 to an early day slot in 2013. It was perfectly suitable music for prancing in the sun, as evidenced by the perky crowd, but a long way away from the post-punk tinged, sweaty club throwdowns of the band’s salad days. “Changes” sounded great until followed by “Wishing Well,” a terrific oldie which only served to illustrate how far back the Airborne Toxic Event has slid, lyrically. Facing facts, Silver Lake’s prodigal sons may never return. They’ll always have their rightfully devoted fans, who are legion. But somehow, “Sometime Around Midnight” doesn’t pack quite the same punch sometime around lunch hour.
What I’d Tell My Editor Who Was At The Three O’Clock: Does this mean you’re moving on?
– Ben “Mouse” McShane
Early slots at Coachella are tough! I’ve seen even bigger bands that have had the same type of turnout from the crowd. They’re just too lethargic from the night before I guess. You can’t judge a bands future this way!