This just in: Paul McCartney, thenewno2 confirmed for Coachella Music Fest

January 30, 6:22 AMBeatles ExaminerSteve Marinucci

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  The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival artist roster has been released and it has a distinct Beatle connection this year as Paul McCartney and thenewno2 are confirmed for the event April 17-19 at the Empire Polo Field in Indio in Southern California. McCartney's show will take place April 17, while thenewno2 will play on April 18.(We previously had a report that they might.)

The Los Angeles Times has a blog post evaluating whether McCartney's presence damages its credibility with younger fans, since the festival in the past has been on the cutting edge with its musical talent. The Times quotes Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of Pollstar, which tracks the concert industry as saying, "If they can pull off Madonna at Coachella, they can do anything. Coachella is the king. I can see McCartney wanting to play Coachella because it gives him the chance to reach a different audience.

"I'm not sure what Coachella gets from him, though. It may pull in some older fans, but for the usual Coachella audience, I don't know that they will really get excited about seeing him -- although they might enjoy the show once they are there," Bongiovanni says.

Who knows? Maybe the Fireman will come to the rescue.

Other artists on the show include Amy Winehouse, almost certainly a media attraction, Public Enemy, Leonard Cohen, Henry Rollins, White Lies, Morrissey, the Killers, Michael Franti & Spearhead, the Cure, Paul Weller, Booker T and We Are Scientists.