The Knux helps wake up worn-out crowd

L.A. hip-hop duo The Knux kicked things off on the main Coachella Stage Sunday, waking up the still sleepy crowd with their hits “Cappuccino” and “Bang! Bang!”

According to their bio, brothers Kentrell “Krispy Kream” Lindsey and Alvin “Rah Almillio” Lindsey were born and raised in New Orleans, but relocated to California after Hurricane Katrina. On Sunday, they pulled out all the stops, including throwing water bottles into the modest but enthusiastic crowd, one of which grazed the side of my head and landed at my feet (souvenir!).

Michael Felci

Watch for water-armed monkey at next festival

Punk-pop group Gaslight Anthem attracted a decent-sized crowd for their 3 to 3:45 p.m set at the Outdoor Theatre. Playing at the peak of the day's heat, frontman Brian Fallon promised the band would bring an added prop to their next Coachella performance: A squirt-gun-wielding monkey who would sit on the stage and spray down the audience. (We'll hold you to that, Brian.)

But because the band lacked agua-producing primates this time around, I headed for the Do Lab next, where performers are blasting grateful crowds with fire hoses.

Brian Dearth

Lupe Fiasco and his band as powerful as his ideals

Caught the last five minutes of Lupe Fiasco on the Coachella Stage.

Wow.

This Grammy-nominated rapper from Chicago has been in the news lately for planning to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak at 19,330 feet, with Justin Timberlake and singer Kenna this fall to raise awareness for the clean water crisis.

But I had no idea his band, 1500 Or Nothing, was powerful as it is. I'm definitely going to be watching for the upcoming remix of his album “The Cool” with the French electro house act, Justice.

Lupe and 1500 Or Nothing has now officially made my top 10 list of bands I wish I had seen in their entirety.

Bruce Fessier

Guitars aplenty for boys in Brian Jonestown Massacre

If you like full, rich guitars chiming in unison, then you were probably in the Mohave Tent late Sunday afternoon, sweating out with The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

The California band featured no less than five guitarists during any given song, and that's not counting the bass player. And yet, there was no flash, no useless soloing or noodling. Just a chorus of chunky chords reverberating through the tent.

Lead singer Anton Newcombe was no frontman, however, choosing to perform sideways while full-time tambourine player Joel Gion stood center stage.

Five guitars and a tambourine player? Not too many bands out there like that.

Michael Felci

Bush twins Jenna and Barbara escorted in Coachella event

I've been reading about a lot of stars who were at Coachella that I hadn't seen.

Paris Hilton, Zac Efron, Anne Hathaway, Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, Emile Hirsch, Weird Al Yankovic.

I didn't even see Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gylllenhaal listening to Fleet Foxes.

But I can report the appearance on Saturday of two celebrities who are bigger than any of the above-mentioned stars,

Former first twins Jenna and Barbara Bush were escorted quietly into the Empire Polo Club by the Secret Service.

I didn't see them, either, but Empire Polo Club owner Alex Haagen III saw them.

He doesn't recognize a lot of the movie stars who are his guests at the polo club during Coachella, but he knew the Bush twins.

He also said Jack Nicholson's good friend, former record label owner Lou Adler, was here.

I don't know where he was hiding out, either.

Bruce Fessier

Devendra Banhart's cupful of courage beside Adrian Grenier

How does Devendra Banhart prepare for a big show? Liquid courage, of course.

The folk singer was spotted waiting in line for a drink in the VIP area Sunday afternoon, as was actor Adrian Grenier, who was sitting with an “Entoutage” of about four.

Get it, “Entourage?” I'm hilarious.

Michael Felci

Hot day calls for a cold beverage, but no brewski

Who are these people drinking beer when it's 1,000 degrees? Are they aliens?

I've been a good girl, downing loads of water all day, and I still feel woozy and shaky.

It's also getting dangerous in the thick of the crowds. People are dropping all over the place. A guy in front of me during the Lykke Li set fainted — helpful strangers hoisted his body over the security barricade where he received medical attention.

Maggie Downs

The Pick-up Artist himself sighted, but sans wingmen

Favorite celebrity sighting at Coachella? Paris, Drew, Kirsten? Nope, not even close. Try Erik von Markovik.

If that name doesn't ring a bell, you may know von Markovik better as Mystery, star of VH1's “The Pick-up Artist.” That's right, the guy who made picking up women a science, coining technical terms like “I.O.I.” (indicators of interest), “Neg” and “Roll-off,” was wandering the Coachella grounds and interacting with fans.

But no sign of Mystery's wingmen, Matador and J-Dog, I'm sorry to report.

Michael Felci

Trying to sell party girl antics to a struggling industry

A girl in a swingy sundress and sunglasses as big as her head just stopped by the press tent and interrupted a table of working reporters and photographers.

“So, like, are you guys press?” she asked, standing directly underneath the “PRESS” sign.

“Yes.”

“What if I told you that I have a picture of Paris and Nikki Hilton, on stage, smoking weed?“

“Uh ...”

“What will that get me?“

“Like, money?” one of the journalists asked.

“Yes. How much will that photo get me?“

“Nothing, lady,” said one guy. “The industry is broke.”

“So where's, like, People Magazine? They'll buy this,” she said, then stomped away.

Maggie Downs

X up against Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, but still draw Flea

They may be punk pioneers, but X drew only a modest crowd to the Mojave Tent early Sunday evening. In fairness, the sun was still blazing and they were up against the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs on the Coachella Stage.

But singer-bassist John Doe looked and sounded great on classics like “Johnny Hit and Run Pauline,” as did guitarist Billy Zoom. Singer Exene Cervenka looked a little weathered, but sounded like she did 25 years ago, according to Bruce Fessier. And he would know.

Joining X on drums was Stephen Perkins of Jane's Addiction, while Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea could be seen grooving backstage.

Michael Felci