Sources tell MTV News she’ll appear alongside Justin Timberlake on May 7. By Jocelyn Vena Lady Gaga Photo: Tom Briglia/ WireImage When Justin Timberlake returns to host “Saturday Night Live” next month, none other than Lady Gaga will join him as musical guest during the May 7 show. A source confirmed the booking to MTV News, though no official confirmation has come though from “SNL” reps. Gaga last appeared on the show in October 2009 in what went down as one very memorable episode. Gaga and Madonna poked fun at pop-star rivalries during the sketch “Deep House Dish,” where they had a catfight and nearly kissed. That night, Gaga performed two songs: a high-concept take on “Paparazzi” and a piano-driven performance of her dance track “LoveGame.” She later appeared in a sketch alongside Andy Samberg, when both of them wore her famous bubble dress. Being that this latest appearance comes just as Gaga is dropping her May 23 album release Born This Way, there’s a good chance she’ll perform lead singles “Born This Way” and “Judas.” Or, as she’s known to do, she might just dazzle fans with a brand-new track. This is the latest promotional appearance announced for the album, including a May 27 appearance on “Good Morning America” that will kick off the show’s summer concert series and the May 7 premiere of Gaga’s highly anticipated HBO special , which was taped at New York’s Madison Square Garden in February. She also just wrapped up work on her video for “Judas,” though no date has been set for its release. What are you expecting from Gaga’s return trip to “SNL”? Let us know in the comments! Related Artists Lady Gaga Justin Timberlake
As the New Directions raise cash, we hold out hope for a bigger return next week. By Jim Cantiello Gwyneth Paltrow on “Glee” on Tuesday night Photo: FOX Our month-long wait for a new “Glee” episode ended this week, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for the full-fledged return of Klaine. At least Charice and Gwyneth Paltrow were back, right? The whole episode led to a slightly melancholy, acoustic recap. Sing along, and then cross your fingers for next week! “Glee” was back tonight. I’m sad to say it felt slight. Scraps of plot lines are not quite How you’re supposed to write. A concert to raise cash, Mercedes wants a big splash. She does so by being an ass. “Rachel, speak to her,” Quinn asks. Oh, the irony Of Lea Michele talking humility. But it works, Then Mercedes WERKS. Sue is out for blood, Rallies the troops to sling some mud. We’ve seen this before. Sue is making me snore. Stamos is gone, Will feeds Emma some grapes And then Holly sees flirting, She takes a job, leaves again. Rejects Cheyenne who wants to be her man, And then Mike was on “So You Think You Can Dance” (dance dance dance). Oh, I missed you, “Glee,” But you return and things are all wonky. It hurts, Only five seconds with Kurt. An hour of neglect, Why should I be surprised that they’d forget My Klaine For more of the same? Charice for no reason, Gwyneth’s Adele song Insane It hurt my brain and heart Next time will be good, At least I think it probably should Bring the “haha” 90 minutes for Gaga. I want you funny, But to also make sense. Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. How come no parents at The benefit dance? Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. “Glee” ‘s back tonight, Here’s hoping they get next week right. Related Videos Musical ‘Glee-Caps’ Of Season Two
As the New Directions raise cash, we hold out hope for a bigger return next week. By Jim Cantiello Gwyneth Paltrow on “Glee” on Tuesday night Photo: FOX Our month-long wait for a new “Glee” episode ended this week, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for the full-fledged return of Klaine. At least Charice and Gwyneth Paltrow were back, right? The whole episode led to a slightly melancholy, acoustic recap. Sing along, and then cross your fingers for next week! “Glee” was back tonight. I’m sad to say it felt slight. Scraps of plot lines are not quite How you’re supposed to write. A concert to raise cash, Mercedes wants a big splash. She does so by being an ass. “Rachel, speak to her,” Quinn asks. Oh, the irony Of Lea Michele talking humility. But it works, Then Mercedes WERKS. Sue is out for blood, Rallies the troops to sling some mud. We’ve seen this before. Sue is making me snore. Stamos is gone, Will feeds Emma some grapes And then Holly sees flirting, She takes a job, leaves again. Rejects Cheyenne who wants to be her man, And then Mike was on “So You Think You Can Dance” (dance dance dance). Oh, I missed you, “Glee,” But you return and things are all wonky. It hurts, Only five seconds with Kurt. An hour of neglect, Why should I be surprised that they’d forget My Klaine For more of the same? Charice for no reason, Gwyneth’s Adele song Insane It hurt my brain and heart Next time will be good, At least I think it probably should Bring the “haha” 90 minutes for Gaga. I want you funny, But to also make sense. Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. How come no parents at The benefit dance? Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. “Glee” ‘s back tonight, Here’s hoping they get next week right. Related Videos Musical ‘Glee-Caps’ Of Season Two
As the New Directions raise cash, we hold out hope for a bigger return next week. By Jim Cantiello Gwyneth Paltrow on “Glee” on Tuesday night Photo: FOX Our month-long wait for a new “Glee” episode ended this week, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for the full-fledged return of Klaine. At least Charice and Gwyneth Paltrow were back, right? The whole episode led to a slightly melancholy, acoustic recap. Sing along, and then cross your fingers for next week! “Glee” was back tonight. I’m sad to say it felt slight. Scraps of plot lines are not quite How you’re supposed to write. A concert to raise cash, Mercedes wants a big splash. She does so by being an ass. “Rachel, speak to her,” Quinn asks. Oh, the irony Of Lea Michele talking humility. But it works, Then Mercedes WERKS. Sue is out for blood, Rallies the troops to sling some mud. We’ve seen this before. Sue is making me snore. Stamos is gone, Will feeds Emma some grapes And then Holly sees flirting, She takes a job, leaves again. Rejects Cheyenne who wants to be her man, And then Mike was on “So You Think You Can Dance” (dance dance dance). Oh, I missed you, “Glee,” But you return and things are all wonky. It hurts, Only five seconds with Kurt. An hour of neglect, Why should I be surprised that they’d forget My Klaine For more of the same? Charice for no reason, Gwyneth’s Adele song Insane It hurt my brain and heart Next time will be good, At least I think it probably should Bring the “haha” 90 minutes for Gaga. I want you funny, But to also make sense. Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. How come no parents at The benefit dance? Me and “Glee” are in a bad romance. “Glee” ‘s back tonight, Here’s hoping they get next week right. Related Videos Musical ‘Glee-Caps’ Of Season Two
Cali trio who created the ‘cat daddy’ tell MTV News they’re more than just dancing MCs — they’re ‘renaissance artists.’ By Alvin Blanco, with reporting by Steven Roberts Rej3ctz Photo: Getty Images MTV News’ New West Week coverage obviously entails focusing on the music coming out of the surging L.A. hip-hop scene, but the movement’s fashion and dance culture also deserves special attention too. That’s where Cali trio the Rej3ctz — Mowii (South Central), Pee Wee (Inglewood) and Bounce (Compton) — glide into the picture. The trio already have a fan in Chris Brown, who appeared in their video for “Cat Daddy,” also the name of their latest dance, which has been spreading like wildfire thanks to a viral video that has banked more than 21 million YouTube views. The Rej3ctz aren’t just dancers moonlighting as rappers though. They insist they have too many talents to limit themselves to just those titles. They’re also prominent members of Cali’s party scene. “We created something called ‘renaissance artist,’ ” Mowii told MTV News. “So for all those who like to tell people [no] and destroy their dreams. Nah, we are the renaissance artists. It means you have the art, the life, the style of fashion, to do what you want, no matter what anybody says. That’s why we’re renaissance artists. That’s why we’re directing, that’s why we’re choreographing, that’s why we’re making up our own dances, our own lane, our own style.” Dances have always been a part of hip-hop culture — from the running man to the Soulja Boy dance — and the Rej3ctz are embracing their dance-floor talents. In recent years, dances with accompanying songs have become hugely popular, including Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How to Dougie” and the New Boyz ‘s “You’re a Jerk.” (Cali natives Audio Push also dropped “Teach Me How to Jerk.”) Besides the cat daddy dance and its accompanying song, off their TheFUNKtion vs theKICKback mixtape, the Rej3ctz also claim to have created all the fancy moves coming out of the West Coast like jerkin’ or whatever spastic motion kids in colorful gear are performing. “Currently, all the dances that came from the West, the Rej3ctz have made them up. Period,” Mowii said. “We were doing music and dancing at the time. And the New Boyz called us over and were like, ‘Yo, bro, we realized we was using your dance and we respect y’all enough to invite you all out, so please show some support,’ so I was like, ‘Ben J and Legacy, man, you got it.’ So, we hopped up that morning and went out to support their video.” For now, the Rej3ctz are continuing to spin their popularity into bigger opportunities. They’re set to be featured in the forthcoming Mario Van Peebles-directed film “We the Party.” The acclaimed director also helmed their video for “Cat Daddy 2.0,” which is based on the group’s audition for “We the Party.” No matter how busy their schedules get, the always dazzlingly dressed Rej3ctz plan on having a good time. “I think people are at a point where they’re like, ‘Let’s have fun,’ ” Mowii said. “Let’s have fun, let’s stop doing too much, man. There’s too many killings going on right now, too much violence around the world,” he added. “It’s too serious right now. People aren’t talking about something real. Let’s have fun … thank you.” Stick with us all week as MTV News turns the spotlight on the New West, including a special edition of “RapFix Live” with Cali’s own Tyga on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com. We’re bringing you the next wave of hip-hop acts helping restore faith in the L.A. rap scene. From groups like Odd Future to rising MCs like Dom Kennedy, we’ll bring you up close and personal to these artists as they carve their own lanes in the post-gangsta rap era. Keep it locked here for the next week for more on the West Coast up-and-comers! Related Videos The New West: An In-Depth Look At L.A. Hip-Hop
Producer talks to Mixtape Daily about the 4/20 release, plus his updates on Mobb Deep, Roc Marciano, more. By Alvin Blanco Alchemist Photo: MTV News Mixtape Daily: Behind the Beats The Alchemist has plenty of sonic concoctions on tap for 2011. One of the esteemed hip-hop producer’s latest projects is New Orleans rapper Curren$y’s Covert Coup mixtape . And while Alc is used to dropping projects that are strictly for sale, the Coup tape is a free release. Chalk it up as a small price to pay for working with an ambitious MC like Spitta. “He got his own zone,” Alchemist told Mixtape Daily of Curren$y. “I hadn’t worked with him before that but when he worked, he works quick. Same way I work, too, which is good because we were able to knock out a couple of joints the first day and decide where it could go. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t want to make anything that was like [what] he had done before or I didn’t want to go too far and make some different sh– either. Let’s just make some fly sh–. The two artists, who met a few years back when Alchemist was working on his Chemical Warfare album, have an in-studio rapport. “Obviously, I guess it would be redundant to say we were smoking weed, we made the music very high,” Alchemist admitted with a laugh. “It definitely is the audio equivalent of that; you’ll definitely feel high after you listen to it. I had a lot of fun doing it, man. He ain’t really restricted with his music as far as how he created, he’s real loose, that’s how I like to be too.” For now, Alc is nixing any rumors that he had a label deal through Shady Records, although he’s still Eminem’s tour DJ . And recent Shady Records signees Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse were sent some Alchemist beats for consideration. And that’s not all. The Hollywood-bred producer has a busy year of projects ahead of him. He’s contributing beats to Evidence’s new album and working on their joint project, Step Brothers. A new Gangrene album is also on the way via Decon Records. Dropping April 20 is Covert Coup, which Curren$y told us was created over a few studio sessions since both Alc and Spitta were adamant about not creating an album by emailing MP3s back and forth. The album is free but they’ll be selling T-shirts via Diamond Supply Co . “It’s an experiment for me, too, to put out an album like this, I usually put it out for sale,” Alchemist said. “We’re planting the seed for maybe a future one for real. I’m trying to get my weight up and see if I can move some shirts. That’ll be my SoundScan first.” On Roc Marciano’s upcoming album : “I’m working with Roc Marcy right now and that sh– is just, he is just, oh my … That’s like my favorite sh– in my iTunes, right now. He came out to L.A. a couple of times and we’re like six to eight joints deep. We’re going to work on a side project eventually but in the meantime anything I can do to help his new album. He got crazy sh–. Anyways, we came together and he just inspires me to make music. His rhymes are on another level, where his deliveries at he’s just so comfortable right now. I’m real hype about the stuff I’m doing with him. Roc is incredible, his rhyme flow, the words he chooses, he’s just on another level. The next album he’s coming out on Decon and I know Tip is helping out. I’m glad I’m helping with that too.” On a new Mobb Deep release : “We got some things in order; when the time is right I’m sure it will be out there. But definitely some plans for this new Mobb music. We’re so deep with music already. Basically, we’re focusing on making the Mobb Deep album first. There’s records already, like, ‘Yeah this is Mobb Deep,’ or, ‘This is P’s solo or whatever.’ Just planning it out and making sure that the first move is Mobb Deep’s best foot forward.” On a sequel to Return of the Mac with Prodigy : “Yeah! We gotta do that sh–. Oh man, it’s so many opportunities now, man! It’s definitely exciting man.” For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines .
‘I want to fight, but … I have to realize that it’s a dance,’ she tells MTV News. By Kara Warner Kendra Wilkinson Photo: James Lacsina Kendra Wilkinson and her “Dancing With the Stars” partner Louis Van Amstel told MTV News they were working on a “fun” foxtrot for this week, and judging by their performance and the audience reactions, it looks like they succeeded. Wilkinson also told us that the “fun” aspect of the competition can be the most challenging — especially on performance nights. “Monday nights are nerve-racking for me,” she said. “I am giving it my all, though … but I can’t help but be nervous. “The anticipation of going into the dance is the worst,” Wilkinson continued. “I’m a boxer when it comes to that. I have a boxer’s state of mind. I’m going into it like a fight, almost,” she explained of her self-imposed intensity. “I want to win, I want to fight, but it’s not that. I have to realize that it’s a dance. I have to remain calm and relaxed. That’s what I’m trying to work on: not going into it like a fight, looking at it like a dance.” But Van Amstel pointed out that his partner’s intensity and commitment make for an excellent student. “I think from all the celebrities, the one who picks it up the fastest is Kendra,” he said. “It is purely the anticipation [on] show day, really psyching herself out, like a boxer does. Your opponent needs to go down,” he said of trying to help soothe tough mentality, “but in the end, it’s only us on the dance floor.” “I really thought last week we were going to be gone, but we have such an amazing fanbase that they voted us through,” Wilkinson said of her fans. “And I’m just so happy.” Do you think Kendra and Louis have what it takes to stick around for another week? Tell us in the comments!
Interpol, Chemical Brothers and Lauryn Hill also help kick off first day. By Mary J. DiMeglio Kings of Leon perform on day one of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 Photo: Getty/ Jeff Kravitz INDIO, California — Despite finding message-board haters among some festival vets for snagging a headlining spot at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Kings of Leon won over the first-day crowd on Friday night, as the masses in attendance couldn’t help but sing and sway to the band’s radio-friendly rock. Saying they were “tired of playing the new stuff,” the Kings dug out “Molly’s Chambers” from their pre-big-time 2003 debut EP, Holy Roller Novocaine , which joined more-recent hits “On Call,” “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody.” The rockers’ Who-reminiscent “Black Thumbnail” finale of feedback and drum pummeling ended not with smashed guitars, but with good-ol’-boy singer Caleb Followill knotting up his handkerchief to toss into the adoring crowd. Check out photos from the Coachella Festival . The Kings’ bouncy, Southern-tinged, feel-good rock offered just a hint of the variety that the festival prides itself. More than 100 bands are slated to hit the stage during the three-day event, which was named by Pollstar as North America’s best outdoor music festival for seven of the past eight years. Now in its 12th year, Coachella set attendance records in 2010, packing 75,000 people per day onto the Empire Polo Club fields. This year’s extravaganza sold out six days after tickets went on sale in January. The resulting slew of ticket resellers and scams prompted organizers Goldenvoice to post a message on the Coachella homepage warning desperate seekers: “Do not purchase tickets from a third party” and “Anyone trying to sell a paper ticket is not legitimate.” In a change that began last year, single-day tickets were not available. Those lucky enough to place their orders legitimately received wristbands delivered to their door in elaborate packaging that included a calendar and photos. Interpol — whose set included fan favorites “Slow Hands,” “Say Hello to the Angels” and “Obstacle 1” — ended with a much-hyped collaboration with director David Lynch and the Creators Project that took trippy to a new level. That performance pushed an intensity of lights and sounds up, up, up until there was nothing to do but fade out and leave people walking away saying — like so many do after experiencing a Lynch creation — “Well, that was something, ” while not being sure whether they liked or understood it. After announcing, “They are always leaving us for last call,” Flogging Molly closed the Outdoor Stage with their riotous Irish punk. For those who still had the energy, the Chemical Brothers enticed the crowd to make one more swing by the main stage by turning up every light and bringing it home with “Galvanize,” “Do It Again” and “Don’t Think” in front of an eye-candy backdrop of psychedelic spinning heads, bouncing balls and splattering paint. Earlier on the main stage, former Fugees leading lady Lauryn Hill delivered a soulful set while accompanied by a brass section of tubas, saxophones and trumpets. After promising, “I’m gonna play some classics, some songs you know,” Hill pleased fans with “Everything Is Everything” and “The Sweetest Thing.” Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, up against the late-afternoon heat of the day, succeeded at getting heads nodding as they let the beats remain in the background and their tight, old-school rhymes shine through. Ozomatli surprised any metal lovers who caught their set by playing the first minute of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” from the metal icons’ landmark album of the same name, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier in the week. Metallica themselves will rock the polo fields next weekend, along with Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, when they bring their only scheduled Stateside Big 4 concert to the site. In other unexpected nods to ’80s rock, Cee Lo Green managed to sneak some bars of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” into his disappointingly short set. Those who stuck around for his late start heard “Lady Killer,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and “F— You.” Elsewhere, Nosaj Thing found new fans with his flavor of jungle in the Gobi tent, Cut Copy had the Mojave grooving and Robyn had girlfriends boosted on shoulders to wave their arms to her girlie jams. And while Crystal Castles suffered some unfortunate issues with their vocals, their glitch still managed to entrance. The Sahara Tent boasted Erick Morillo, Sasha and Boys Noize, backed by the most impressive light shows in Coachella memory. In the midst of the dance-heavy day, Cold War Kids and the Black Keys offered welcome bluesy, soulful breaks. Still to come this weekend: Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Paul van Dyk, Wiz Khalifa, the Strokes, Duck Sauce and Kanye West. Did you go to Coachella? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Photos 2011 Coachella Related Artists Kings Of Leon
Interpol, Chemical Brothers and Lauryn Hill also help kick off first day. By Mary J. DiMeglio Kings of Leon perform on day one of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 Photo: Getty/ Jeff Kravitz INDIO, California — Despite finding message-board haters among some festival vets for snagging a headlining spot at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Kings of Leon won over the first-day crowd on Friday night, as the masses in attendance couldn’t help but sing and sway to the band’s radio-friendly rock. Saying they were “tired of playing the new stuff,” the Kings dug out “Molly’s Chambers” from their pre-big-time 2003 debut EP, Holy Roller Novocaine , which joined more-recent hits “On Call,” “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody.” The rockers’ Who-reminiscent “Black Thumbnail” finale of feedback and drum pummeling ended not with smashed guitars, but with good-ol’-boy singer Caleb Followill knotting up his handkerchief to toss into the adoring crowd. Check out photos from the Coachella Festival . The Kings’ bouncy, Southern-tinged, feel-good rock offered just a hint of the variety that the festival prides itself. More than 100 bands are slated to hit the stage during the three-day event, which was named by Pollstar as North America’s best outdoor music festival for seven of the past eight years. Now in its 12th year, Coachella set attendance records in 2010, packing 75,000 people per day onto the Empire Polo Club fields. This year’s extravaganza sold out six days after tickets went on sale in January. The resulting slew of ticket resellers and scams prompted organizers Goldenvoice to post a message on the Coachella homepage warning desperate seekers: “Do not purchase tickets from a third party” and “Anyone trying to sell a paper ticket is not legitimate.” In a change that began last year, single-day tickets were not available. Those lucky enough to place their orders legitimately received wristbands delivered to their door in elaborate packaging that included a calendar and photos. Interpol — whose set included fan favorites “Slow Hands,” “Say Hello to the Angels” and “Obstacle 1” — ended with a much-hyped collaboration with director David Lynch and the Creators Project that took trippy to a new level. That performance pushed an intensity of lights and sounds up, up, up until there was nothing to do but fade out and leave people walking away saying — like so many do after experiencing a Lynch creation — “Well, that was something, ” while not being sure whether they liked or understood it. After announcing, “They are always leaving us for last call,” Flogging Molly closed the Outdoor Stage with their riotous Irish punk. For those who still had the energy, the Chemical Brothers enticed the crowd to make one more swing by the main stage by turning up every light and bringing it home with “Galvanize,” “Do It Again” and “Don’t Think” in front of an eye-candy backdrop of psychedelic spinning heads, bouncing balls and splattering paint. Earlier on the main stage, former Fugees leading lady Lauryn Hill delivered a soulful set while accompanied by a brass section of tubas, saxophones and trumpets. After promising, “I’m gonna play some classics, some songs you know,” Hill pleased fans with “Everything Is Everything” and “The Sweetest Thing.” Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, up against the late-afternoon heat of the day, succeeded at getting heads nodding as they let the beats remain in the background and their tight, old-school rhymes shine through. Ozomatli surprised any metal lovers who caught their set by playing the first minute of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” from the metal icons’ landmark album of the same name, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier in the week. Metallica themselves will rock the polo fields next weekend, along with Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, when they bring their only scheduled Stateside Big 4 concert to the site. In other unexpected nods to ’80s rock, Cee Lo Green managed to sneak some bars of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” into his disappointingly short set. Those who stuck around for his late start heard “Lady Killer,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and “F— You.” Elsewhere, Nosaj Thing found new fans with his flavor of jungle in the Gobi tent, Cut Copy had the Mojave grooving and Robyn had girlfriends boosted on shoulders to wave their arms to her girlie jams. And while Crystal Castles suffered some unfortunate issues with their vocals, their glitch still managed to entrance. The Sahara Tent boasted Erick Morillo, Sasha and Boys Noize, backed by the most impressive light shows in Coachella memory. In the midst of the dance-heavy day, Cold War Kids and the Black Keys offered welcome bluesy, soulful breaks. Still to come this weekend: Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Paul van Dyk, Wiz Khalifa, the Strokes, Duck Sauce and Kanye West. Did you go to Coachella? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Photos 2011 Coachella Related Artists Kings Of Leon
Interpol, Chemical Brothers and Lauryn Hill also help kick off first day. By Mary J. DiMeglio Kings of Leon perform on day one of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 Photo: Getty/ Jeff Kravitz INDIO, California — Despite finding message-board haters among some festival vets for snagging a headlining spot at the 2011 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Kings of Leon won over the first-day crowd on Friday night, as the masses in attendance couldn’t help but sing and sway to the band’s radio-friendly rock. Saying they were “tired of playing the new stuff,” the Kings dug out “Molly’s Chambers” from their pre-big-time 2003 debut EP, Holy Roller Novocaine , which joined more-recent hits “On Call,” “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody.” The rockers’ Who-reminiscent “Black Thumbnail” finale of feedback and drum pummeling ended not with smashed guitars, but with good-ol’-boy singer Caleb Followill knotting up his handkerchief to toss into the adoring crowd. Check out photos from the Coachella Festival . The Kings’ bouncy, Southern-tinged, feel-good rock offered just a hint of the variety that the festival prides itself. More than 100 bands are slated to hit the stage during the three-day event, which was named by Pollstar as North America’s best outdoor music festival for seven of the past eight years. Now in its 12th year, Coachella set attendance records in 2010, packing 75,000 people per day onto the Empire Polo Club fields. This year’s extravaganza sold out six days after tickets went on sale in January. The resulting slew of ticket resellers and scams prompted organizers Goldenvoice to post a message on the Coachella homepage warning desperate seekers: “Do not purchase tickets from a third party” and “Anyone trying to sell a paper ticket is not legitimate.” In a change that began last year, single-day tickets were not available. Those lucky enough to place their orders legitimately received wristbands delivered to their door in elaborate packaging that included a calendar and photos. Interpol — whose set included fan favorites “Slow Hands,” “Say Hello to the Angels” and “Obstacle 1” — ended with a much-hyped collaboration with director David Lynch and the Creators Project that took trippy to a new level. That performance pushed an intensity of lights and sounds up, up, up until there was nothing to do but fade out and leave people walking away saying — like so many do after experiencing a Lynch creation — “Well, that was something, ” while not being sure whether they liked or understood it. After announcing, “They are always leaving us for last call,” Flogging Molly closed the Outdoor Stage with their riotous Irish punk. For those who still had the energy, the Chemical Brothers enticed the crowd to make one more swing by the main stage by turning up every light and bringing it home with “Galvanize,” “Do It Again” and “Don’t Think” in front of an eye-candy backdrop of psychedelic spinning heads, bouncing balls and splattering paint. Earlier on the main stage, former Fugees leading lady Lauryn Hill delivered a soulful set while accompanied by a brass section of tubas, saxophones and trumpets. After promising, “I’m gonna play some classics, some songs you know,” Hill pleased fans with “Everything Is Everything” and “The Sweetest Thing.” Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, up against the late-afternoon heat of the day, succeeded at getting heads nodding as they let the beats remain in the background and their tight, old-school rhymes shine through. Ozomatli surprised any metal lovers who caught their set by playing the first minute of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” from the metal icons’ landmark album of the same name, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier in the week. Metallica themselves will rock the polo fields next weekend, along with Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, when they bring their only scheduled Stateside Big 4 concert to the site. In other unexpected nods to ’80s rock, Cee Lo Green managed to sneak some bars of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” into his disappointingly short set. Those who stuck around for his late start heard “Lady Killer,” Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and “F— You.” Elsewhere, Nosaj Thing found new fans with his flavor of jungle in the Gobi tent, Cut Copy had the Mojave grooving and Robyn had girlfriends boosted on shoulders to wave their arms to her girlie jams. And while Crystal Castles suffered some unfortunate issues with their vocals, their glitch still managed to entrance. The Sahara Tent boasted Erick Morillo, Sasha and Boys Noize, backed by the most impressive light shows in Coachella memory. In the midst of the dance-heavy day, Cold War Kids and the Black Keys offered welcome bluesy, soulful breaks. Still to come this weekend: Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Paul van Dyk, Wiz Khalifa, the Strokes, Duck Sauce and Kanye West. Did you go to Coachella? Give us your review in the comments below! Related Photos 2011 Coachella Related Artists Kings Of Leon
