Yahoo! Music Review

Gig played on 27/05/08

Duffy may be the biggest thing in the Britain since sliced crumpets, but in America she's still relegated to daytime sidestage status. Casual observers checking out her afternoon Mojave Tent set in hopes of seeing the hyped "next Amy Winehouse" are probably disappointed to see she is blonde, tattoo-free and in possession of all her teeth, plus she looks like she occasionally eats solid food and smiles a lot. This makes her very un-Amy-like, but unfortunately somewhat uninteresting, too.

Coachella is Duffy's first festival experience and it shows but she gains confidence when belting out saucy single "Mercy". Then she abruptly ends her brief set 20 minutes early. Well, at least she showed up and that's more than can be said for Amy lately. Next we're in the company of reunited shoegazer veterans Swervedriver, although at a hot desert concert the term "sandalgazer" might be more fitting. Sadly, the tent isn't even half-full to see their first U.S. performance since 1999. And while they do their workmanlike best - and the punters who have managed to show up are clearly die-hard fans, singing along to every word - the band never fully gains momentum.

Then it's Spiritualized, stripping back their usual cosmic cacophony for an Acoustic Mainline performance. This could have been great in the right setting, but quickly seems ill-advised at an outdoor festival where noise from neighbouring stages drowns out all the lovely nuances of the group's string symphonies. Sound problems also mar their first three songs, testing the patience of fans already struggling to hear over the din of Does It Offend You, Yeah? over in the Gobi Tent.

On the second stage are the glamorous goths Love & Rockets, another one of Coachella 2008's reunion acts. Guitarist Daniel Ash is ridiculously rock starred-up in a plumed hat, tuxedo shirt, and bug-eyed shades so gigantic even Bono wouldn't wear them. Bassist David J, the coolest over-50 art-rocker this side of David Bowie, looks exactly as he did even in his Bauhaus days. They crank out an enthusiastically received set that includes "Holiday On The Moon" (dedicated to Roger Waters, who's about to perform all of "Dark Side Of The Moon" on the main stage), and "Kundalini Express" (dedicated to Roger's late band mate, Syd Barrett) and comical closer "Ying And Yang The Flowerpot Man".

None of this can compare to Roger Waters' performance, however. After a greatest hits first act that includes "Wish You Were Here", "Mother" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", a Chernobyl strength smoke machine is powered up and aimed smack at the crowd and the "Dark Side" portion of the show begins. However, the most memorable moment is when an inflatable pig emblazed with the word "Obama" sails into the sky. Roger says nothing political at this point, letting the heavenward hog do all the talking. He just glances up and chuckles, "That's my pig", perhaps unaware he will never see it again.

by Lyndsey Parker