Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti Live at the Gobi Tent Coachella

Remember when Sly Stone made headlines last year when he barely showed up for his performance and then when he did, it was a horrid, incomprehensible mess? Well this year already has another moment like that, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Ariel Pink spent the first few songs looking away from the crowd. After a few tracks, Pink declared, “That’s it, we’re not playing anymore,” and then promptly ran off stage while his band stood at the ready looking completely puzzled. A few moments of extremely awkward silence and Pink ran back swinging his arms, but this time refused to sing. For about three songs, Pink stood swaying while his keyboardist tried to approximate the vocals for each song. Pink even sat down for one song by the drums. Finally Pink rang back in for a little of the last two songs, but generally looked aloof or incoherent. Some fans clapped, but it’s uttlerly puzzing wondering why they did. This was a shameful mess.