Category Archives: Audio File

Three and a half hours after the gates opened, the rock finally appeared at Coachella in the form of British trio the Noisettes. Mark my words, this band, which sounds like a new-wave rock Yeah Yeah Yeahs, could be the next big thing.

The Mojave tent was packed when the band took the stage at 2:30.

After a couple of songs of playing bass and singing behind the microphone, Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa shed her instrument and started doing some Rockette-style high kicks in chartreuse hot pants. Seriously.

Plus, the band’s drummer Jamie Morrison was so manic I originally mistook him for Animal from The Muppets.

For you computer addicts coming out to Coachella on Saturday and Sunday, fear not–you can check your e-mail and your MySpace. The AT&T Blue Room is open and has a number of computer terminals for concert-goers.

They also claim that the tent is air-conditioned. I don’t know if I would call it air-conditioned as much as shade from the evil sunshine that is threatening to burn my sunscreen-soaked skin.

However, you can see some acts playing on other stages with a high-quality video feed and recharge your cell phone.

There are a bunch of useful things technology is bringing the Coachella fans this year.

For example, sending a text message to 56658 with ” Coachella” will give you the set times for the main stage each day. .And sending “Gobi,” “Mojave,” “Sahara” or “Outdoor” will get you the lineup for each of those stages on your phone.

The service is free, but standard text messaging rates apply.

Comedians of Comedy are funny, but it just doesn’t seem to work here in a tent at Coachella. This is a music fest and fans want music. It’s too hot hot to concentrate on jokes. Let’s rock!

The first act of the day took the Coachella Stage at 2 p.m., a DJ duo from Chicago called Flosstradamus.

“Let’s kick this . . . off right with a dance party,” member Flosstradamus member Autobot yelled to the crowd of about 500 people. Make some noise!”

With two laptops and mixing boards, the duo mashed some recognizable tracks from Jay-Z and Basement Jaxx.

But while some members of the crowd were getting down, not everyone was there to see the opening act.

“I’m ready for Bjork,” said Monica Padilla of Sacramento, who was already pressed up against the black metal barrier. “This is as close as I’m going to get.”

She had no qualms about waiting in the blazing heat until the eclectic Icelandic artist takes the stage at 10:45 p.m.

My third Coachella and by far the most difficult time crusing in. I was caught in one endless single-file line of cars filled with impatient fans. Maybe it’s because the festival is now three days long, maybe it’s because two of the days are sold out, maybe it’s because the music doesn’t start until 2 p.m. or maybe it’s because the parking was poorly organized? Either way, I’m here and that is good. I have three days of music ahead of me concluding with the reunion of the mighty Rage Aaginst the Machine. If it’s possible, I envy me.

Skin is in full supply at Coachella today, but few have outdone three men from San Diego who returned to Coachella Music and Arts Festival wearing Speedos, fanny-packs and little else.

“FRISK ME!” shouted Greg Gallegos, 29, before he walked into the security entrance. He wore a green Speedo and a grin. The security guard was less than thrilled.

“We’ve never suffered a burn,” said Oscar Hernandez, 30, wearing a red Speedo.

— KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
kpierceall@PE.com

The gates have opened at the eighth annual Coachella Music and Arts Festival and people are filing in and checking out the food, vendors and projects.
Event organizers Paul Tollett and Bill Fold have been riding around the massive grounds on a golf cart, surveying the scene.
This year, the festival has doubled its art component. There are more than 30 large scale sculptures on the grounds and it’s not uncommon to see people climb atop a pair of rocking horses made of old tires, retread and rebar.
Another piece already attracting attention is an installation with more than a dozen streetlights implanted in the ground. Pressing a button on one of the lightpoles makes creepy pipe organ music that sounds like something out of an old horror movie.
At least we know Dracula won’t be out here in the blazing sun.

The line to get into this year’s Coachella Music and Arts Festival is already hundreds of people long.
On the 10 cars are whizzing by with signs such as “Coachella or Bust.”
The smell of sunscreen is everywhere as festivalgoers chug bottles of water before entering the gates to music heaven.
This is the first time the event has stretched to three days and the first time the concerts started on a Friday.