Rage Against the Machine, on for yet Another Festival

First Coachella, then Rock the Bells, now Voodoo? If you missed your chances to catch Rage Against the Machine live at Coachella and Rock the Bells then no need to worry because it looks like the recently reunited quartet have added two more dates on to their sporadic tour.

The Voodoo Music Experience is in its ninth consecutive year at New Orleans and with RATM sharing the stage with a number of notable bands, this festival sounds like an interesting mix of alternative musical from all genres at its best. The three day Voodoo fest - October 26, 27, 28 - is not the only festival RATM is scheduled to play. Vegoose has made an announcement of their festival being graced by the band's presence, coincidently, during the same three days Voodoo is scheduled to take place. No current updates on which specific dates RATM will play in either event.

Aside from these festivals, their official website has announced an additional tour date scheduled at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin with opening act Queens of the Stone Age. And no, despite rumors last month, the August 24th show is not a build-up to their own national tour. Tickets for this show are most likely sold-out but some tickets are up for bid on eBay.

If you have the money, the Wisconsin show sounds like a more reasonable choice to attend since RATM are the main headliners. Unfortunately, as a fan who has never seen the band live - I was too young to go when they were still together - I've been anxiously waiting for another scheduled performance in my area without the burden of seeing 10 other headliners on the bill. Sure, these festivals sound interesting and quite possibly one I'd like to attend some day, but for RATM, I would rather much be in an intimate venue than an overcrowded festival where I would loose most of my energy waiting for their time slot.

Even if they did pick a handful of headlining shows in select cities, I would be more than willing to charge up the credit card for an event like that. Remember, there's still no news yet on whether Rage is getting back together for a new album or any future plans, so if they're performing a few random dates before they permanently retire, you bet I'll do my best to be there. If only my income was sufficient enough, I'd buy an overpriced ticket on eBay and fly out to Wisconsin to catch that show, but unfortunately, I didn't receive the newsflash in time when the tickets first went on sale.

As frustrating as the wait is, at least the group is still playing live so I shouldn't be too disappointed. So what's my reason for not attending Rock the Bells? Basically, I felt paying over $125 just to wait for hours through countless bands that I am not interested in just so I can catch a 40-minute set (hopefully) is not worth my time or money.