The return of All Points West

With a lineup this strong, you'd think the recently-announced roster for the second annual All Points West festival was some kind of April Fool's Day joke, the kind that was too good to be true. Well, then you'd be wrong -- the line-up was released two days ago (March 30), and it's the real deal.

Among the more than 65 artists who will be converging at Jersey City's Liberty State Park from July 31 through August 2 are the Beastie Boys, Tool and Coldplay.

Other performers for All Points West 2009 include Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes, My Bloody Valentine, Gogol Brodello, Arctic Monkeys, Echo and the Bunnymen, MGMT, the Black Keys, Kool Keith and the Gaslight Anthem.

Those needing a break from the rock will also be able to check out comedians including Judah Friedlander, Tim and Eric, Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Showalter and Todd Barry.

Following audience complaints about everything from traffic to and from the festival (which does not allow overnight camping) to long lines at the concession stand, APW organizers have "worked closely with their partners at NJ Transit to improve light-rail service and capacity," according to a news release on the festival's Web site.

The release goes on to state that festival-goers who choose to travel to the site by taking  the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line can ride for free throughout the weekend with their All Points West festival ticket, and the frequency and size of the ferryboats from Manhattan to Liberty State Park "will increase at a reduced price for festival attendees."

According to the release, festival producers "have also worked with their partners at Liberty State Park to improve the fan experience in the beer gardens. This year's areas will be larger, have shorter lines, and feature shade tents, views of the stages and food concessions."

Looks like festival organizers Goldenvoice, the same folks behind California's annual Coachella festival, are trying to learn from the mistakes of last year's inaugural All Points West, which was headlined by Radiohead and Jack Johnson. Here's hoping a good time is had by all.

Here's the lineup for All Points West 2009, according to the festival's Web site:

Friday, July 31: Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, The National, Fleet Foxes, MSTRKRFT, Q-Tip, The Pharcyde, Organized Konfusion, The Knux, Ra Ra Riot, Seasick Steve, Telepathe, Shearwater, Heartless Bastards, Flying Lotus, College Humor Live, Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman and Bo Burnham.

Saturday, August 1: Tool, My Bloody Valentine, Gogol Bordello, Arctic Monkeys, Neko Case, The Ting Tings, Yelle, Crystal Castles, St. Vincent, Tokyo Police Club, The Cool Kids, Kool Keith, Cage the Elephant, Chairlift, White Rabbits, Electric Touch, The Postelles, Black Gold, College Humor Live, Tim & Eric, Judah Friedlander and Jim Jeffries.

Sunday, August 2: Coldplay, Echo & The Bunnymen, MGMT, The Black Keys, Elbow, Silversun Pickups, Mogwai, We Are Scientists, Ghostland Observatory, The Gaslight Anthem, Etienne De Crecy, Lykke Li, Akron/Family, Steel Train, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, College Humor Live, Janeane Garofalo, Michael Showalter and Todd Barry.

Tickets for the festival go on sale at 12 p.m. on Friday through Ticketmaster. Single-day tickets are $89 and three-day passes will be $199 for a limited time.

What do you guys think? How does this lineup compare to Coachella or Bonnaroo? If you were at last year's festival, what were your thoughts?