Coachella Day Three - April 22, 2012

The Final Frontier 

Checking out Gardens and Villa.

It's strange, the last day is here, but it still feels just as exciting as the first. Maybe even more so? Maybe it's that our bodies have finally adjusted to the scorching heat. Maybe its pride knowing that we've survived this whole journey and we're on the home stretch. Maybe it's - dare I say - relief knowing that we will be out of this desert in 12 hours haha. Mostly though, it's probably the excitement of the first band we will see today - a new love interest of mine called Gardens and Villa. Hailing from Santa Barbara, CA, this 5 piece band combines all the traditional 'rock' instruments with beautiful vocal stylings as well as flutes, synth and keyboard. I have only recently come across this band - actually only because of their placement on the Coachella 2012 line-up. But they're one of the bands I'm most pumped to see over the weekend. The early start time of 12:05 is no trouble as we've been up since dawn as usual. We arrive at the stage right on time to join the crowd that is small by Coachella standards, but who's joy instantly radiates. Again, everyone is here for the same reason, and everyone is just as delighted to see this new band as we are. Out come these five boys - smiling from ear to ear - who are just as grateful to be here as we are. Every song is done beautifully, and completed with a gracious bow from the lead singer. At one point we are told that we are witnessing a 'dream come true before our eyes'. How enlightening. To go from watching Radiohead - a band who's music is featured on the soundtrack of nearly my entire life, who sell out festivals all the time - to a band who has never had as big an opportunity as this and can only hope to one day be a headliner. They so graciously share song after song with us and you can see that when their set is over, they are doing all they can to drink in the applause and stay on stage - making that moment last as long as possible. Just as we fans are doing the same to let every moment of this weekend linger on just a little be longer. Of every band I've seen this weekend, this is a definite highlight. What a way to start the day. 
"Do us all a favor, shout about it!" 'Sweet Sour' by Band of Skulls

Dancing in the Do Lab!

Of course, there were a few hi-cups along the way. The personal cooling system I invented on day one which had become just as much a part of me as my ruby red cheeks had been confiscated by security on the way onto the grounds earlier Sunday. "It's just a spray bottle full of water! It's just water! I'll dump it out and refill it inside, pleeeeease, you can't do this to me - it's 42 degrees outside and I'm OLD"...I felt like someone had taken away my first born child. Yes, I'm only 27, and yes, I was probably being a bit dramatic, but it's was %*#&ing hot out okay? Not my finest hour... Needless to say the majority of Sunday was spent in the Do Lab - a magical area that plays dub step all day and soaks attendees with cold water. We danced until we were cooled off and drenched enough to brave the sun. I removed my soaked dress and wore it over my head as a tent for the rest of the day. It was dubbed 'the Safari Tent' and it was wonderful. Genius. 

My Safari Tent

I spent most of the day under my tent where I danced my face off to Santigold who was adorable. Her set blew me away - she has the most wonderful energy and stage presence. We danced like crazy. The rest of the day was great - caught a few songs from Band of Skulls, Beirut, Justice, Calvin Harris, Girl Talk and Florence and the Machine. I got to watch At the Drive-In's reunion which was outstanding. One Armed Scissor!!!  We wrapped up the evening with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent - to name a few. Oh - and Tu Pac haha. 
We had packed up our car that afternoon so when the show was over we headed straight off of the festival grounds. It's funny how we were in such a hurry to leave when looking back, I wish we could have stayed for days and days. We drove back to LA through the night - I dozed in and out of sleep - dreaming of the weekend. Of Radiohead, and Gardens and Villa, and Santigold, and of Dear Hunter and John Fogerty and Holograms and Childish Gambino and of Cole and Alissa and smiles and water and heat and love. I'm in no hurry to wake up - the sooner I do the sooner it's actually over and we're going home. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience this weekend. It took a lot of planning, a lot of penny pinching and sacrifice - but it was well worth it all. We knew the second we bought out tickets that we were in for the trip of a lifetime - but l never could have imagined just how incredible it all could actually be. <3