RATM To Bring The Rage To Coachella, Three SW Cities In March, April

Instagram/Rage Against The Machine – RATM
Rage Against The Machine posts image of Chilean protest to Instagram

Rage Against The Machine, on hiatus since 2011’s “L.A. Rising” concert, is reuniting for a quick run of shows across the Southwest and culminating with two weekends at Coachella Music & Arts festival April 10 and 17 — coming full circle since headlining the first Coachella in 1999.

The return of Zack de la Rocha to the fold, along with Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, was announced via a newly minted, verified Instagram account Nov. 1. While Coachella may be known for classic reunions, it’s hard not to think the return of RATM in time for a presidential election has a larger purpose.

In the runup to the Coachella appearance, RATM will make appearances in El Paso, Texas, March 26; Las Cruces, New Mexico, March 28; and Phoenix, Ariz., March 30 at venues to be announced later. 

It might be noted that those are all border cities and the band, known for its political activism and incendiary performances, has long been supportive of immigrant rights — including performing a fundraiser at L.A.’s Hollywood Palladium in support of activist groups and Artists Strike, an organization in support of artists boycotting Arizona after passage of controversial SB 1070, widely viewed as anti-immigrant legislation.

Prior to that, the band’s last hometown appearance was at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, albeit in a fenced-off “free speech zone” where RATM performed for thousands protesting the proceedings. 

Since the L.A. Rising concert, Morello and the band sans de la Rocha added Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Cypress Hill’s B-Real performed as Prophets of Rage, which announced its disbandment after the reformation of Rage Against the Machine. 

“It’s been an honor to rock stages and people of all ages with these guys,” wrote B-Real. “It’s been a great time and great memories in a short time. Rockin along side of Chuck and Tom has been amazing to say the least. It was fun while it lasted and I hope we left a big impression and that the music has been a source of inspiration for those that needed it. That was the purpose we got together.”

“It was about doing something greater than self,” Chuck wrote.

WME agent Don Muller, who is repping the band declined to comment, saying the band is doing no press at this time.