Portishead and the Verve set for Coachella fest

By Lars Brandle

LONDON (Billboard) - Out in the California desert, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is fast becoming an oasis for high-profile reunions.

The Jesus and Mary Chain, the Pixies, Rage Against the Machine, Gang of Four and Bauhaus are just a handful of the acts whose return to the stage has taken place at the Indio, Calif.-based event in recent years.

The trend will continue this year when two of Britain's most important '90s alternative bands -- the Verve and Portishead -- make their respective U.S. returns after nearly a decade.

"The fans like them," said Paul Tollett, principal of Los Angeles-based Goldenvoice, which organizes Coachella. "But also they attract other bands to the bill and give a serious feel to the show." This year's lineup also boasts Roger Waters, Kraftwerk, My Morning Jacket, the Raconteurs, the Breeders and Love and Rockets.

"The festival's strength is that we know (which) bands to pick," Tollett added. "(But) we don't want every band that starts to play again. They need to be in top form for the show."

With that in mind, the reunited My Bloody Valentine turned down an offer to play its first show in 10-plus years at this year's festival, telling Tollett the band needed more time to hone its live show.

'FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD'

But the Verve and Portishead should be nearing peak shape for Coachella, which will serve as a launch pad for anticipated new album releases. Portishead's third studio album, appropriately titled "Third," will land April 28 internationally via Island and the following day in the United States via Mercury. It will be the trip-hop pioneers' first set since a 1997 self-titled album.