COACHELLA 2010 HIGHLIGHTS

In between their sets @ Coachella, bands found time to perform or give interviews around the local Coachella suites. Check out a few of the hightlights!

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

The three-day Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is playing to sellout crowds this weekend and shattering attendance records, festival officials said. The Goldenvoice-promoted festival, now in its 11th year, is drawing a record 75,000 people per day to the Empire Polo Club in the desert community of Indio, up nearly 15,000 from last year’s daily average. But the record attendance and a later curfew — 1 a.m. instead of midnight — weren’t the only new wrinkles in the festival. Promoters found themselves worrying about the eruption of an Icelandic volcano and its massive ash cloud, which halted flights in and out of Britain and northern Europe. A festival spokeswoman said seven artists were grounded in Britain, including Chicago’s Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, which had been on tour in Europe. British rock bands the Cribs and Frightened Rabbit were among those unable to get to the U.S. for the festival. “We would have taken any slot, any time, just to play this festival,” said Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison. “If you’re playing to people who’ve come to see you at a club show, the battle has been won.” The band had a prime Friday afternoon slot, and was counting on Coachella to increase its standing in the U.S. “This is bad for us on all levels,” Hutchison said. “We were about to head out on a U.S. tour, and this would have been a good way to get a few more fans on board.” Getting to Coachella wasn’t easy, even for those in Southern California. Traffic was at a near-standstill for much of Friday afternoon, as the four-mile route from the 10 Freeway to the venue was at a crawl throughout the day. Once they parked, fans spoke of hour-plus waits to get into the gates. Henry Conklin, a 19-year-old New York University student, said his friend paid a woman $40 to cut in line. Indio police spokesman Ben Guitron confirmed reports that a small number of ticketless fans had jumped the gate, but police made only 12 arrests Friday, and all were alcohol- or drug-related. Despite the increase in attendance, the arrest number was on pace to be down slightly from last year, when 69 arrests were made throughout the weekend. Police were also adjusting to the later curfew. After Goldenvoice was slapped with more than $50,000 in fines last year when headliner Paul McCartney played past the midnight deadline, the company won approval to extend Friday and Saturday curfew to 1 a.m. As a compromise, the department said Goldenvoice’s country-music Stagecoach festival will end at 11 p.m. rather than midnight next weekend. Even with longer hours and five stages of music, many festivalgoers had to strain for a glimpse of the more hotly anticipated acts. Up-and-coming rock group Yeasayer and beloved electronic act La Roux were performing at one of Coachella’s three tent-covered side stages, which overflowed in the afternoon heat, keeping many fans 30 or more feet away from snaring a glimpse of the artists. Yet the mood on the grounds was far from tense. Attendees were eager to brave the heat and lines for a Friday-night headlining set from one of music’s biggest stars, hip-hop artist Jay-Z. He had an unbilled, A-list surprise guest in tow — his pop-star wife, Beyonce.

We headed out Saturday morning, because we had tickets for Saturday and mostly wanted to see the lineup on Sat. It was such an amazing weekend. We got there around 1pm (missing traffic) so we could catch Frightened Rabbits, who never ended up making out due to the volcano in Iceland; however, we did see The Temper Trap, MGMT, Hot Chip, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and The XX. Finally, around 9pm we left so we could hit up the Ace Hotel After Party that was going on in Palm Springs.

I normally am not big on crowds, but there is something about music festivals that I really like. I don't know if it has to do with the magic of the desert or what, but there is just this amazing energy that you want to be part of. Many of the band I have already seen, but it's cool to see them in a festival setting. Everyone should at least try it once if you are a music lover.

Finally, Sunday we wrapped up the weekend @ the Ace Hotel Desert Gold Poolside Party with an acoustic set from Sondre Lerche. It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend a fun one! I am already looking forward to next year!

PHOTOS: WIREIMAGE

COACHELLA ARTIST ALERT

Just one more day until Coachella!! Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros will hit the Outdoor Theatre on Saturday afternoon. Another band YOU MUST SEE!! I have seen them a few time in L.A. and they blew me away. This band is incredible - I'm super excited to see them again this weekend. I told you I'm not leaving my spot at the Outdoor Theatre on Saturday.

COACHELLA ARTIST ALERT

Frightened Rabbit is DEFINITELY one artist you MUST SEE this weekend if you're headed out to Coachella! They play Saturday at the Outdoor Theatre at 2:45. I love love love this band and I'm super excited to see them live!

COACHELLA SET TIMES

The Coachella Fest is going down in just a few days. Head over to www.coachella.com to plan your weekend. Set times are now up!

http://www.coachella.com/event/set-times

You will catch me at the Outdoor Theatre for most of the day Saturday:

Frightened Rabbit
The Temper Trap
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Hot Chip
MGMT
The XX

COACHELLA 2010 LINEUP ANNOUNCED

It's a nasty day here in Southern California so it's hard to believe that it will soon be Coachella time. I soooooooo can't wait, I'm over the nasty weather. I'm looking forward to those dog days of summer and those fun nights at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.

Click the link to see who has been added to this year's lineup.
http://www.coachella.com/event/lineup

COACHELLA 2010

Dates for next year's Coachella Festival in Indio, California have been announced. Mark your calendars for April 16, 17, 18, and head over to www.coachella.com and put your tickets on layaway.