I think the sun might be getting to people, inducing odd behavior.
Then again that’s probably just Coachella being Coachella.
In the past hour, I’ve seen a guy with a giant red mouse head, a burlesque show and mimes playing cymbals, and that’s just the performers.
I may have also seen Steven Spielberg and Anthony Kiedis, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, in the crowd, though I can’t be sure.
The artists in today’s lineup are having fun.
The electronica music artist Deadmau5 stayed in character, refusing to remove his giant foam red alien mouse head during interviews with the foreign press.
Then the Gogol Bordello set sent the audience into an impromptu Russian danceoff, complete with one girl wearing a headdress and little else jumping off picnic tables.
A large chunk of crowd later ended up in the treehouse where the Lightning in a Bottle troupe did a burlesque show in mime, skidding across a pool and spraying the audience with a hose.
Coachella folks always bring a cast of characters to the festival, and you never know who’s going to show up.
Sean Penn, though, gets my vote for least spontaneous performer after delivering the same speech to both crowds. His security made sure the pit was clear of any of those pesky photographers.
Although, to be fair, he did quote Spicoli in his second set.
John Asbury
jasbury@PE.com