For this year’s Coachella, we’ve dispatched our very own indie rock star reporter, Ed Droste of Brooklyn band Grizzly Bear.

April 29th

2:04pm: Having a trailer makes life much easier. I can leave things there, there is booze. We are right next to the Klaxons trailer and CSS which is nice since they are the bands I’ve been hanging out with the most. Lots of British bands with tude around today. Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks, The Feeling. Everyone has such outfits. As I said earlier today “I’m letting myself go” with my cut off jean shorts and a white t-shirts. I think people think I’m working here. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone came up and asked me to go get them more beer. Hah. Anyhoo — things are running so smoothly. Mika played while I ate lunch. He’s definitely gay. Still having a great time though and everyone I’ve actually met has been incredibly friendly. The cute boys from Boston who decorated the trailers made us amazing stuff for the room. A little toy piano with our name painted on it, a great papier-mache Mexican boxer dude hanging from the ceiling. Our sound guy (who’s seen it all with TV on the Radio) said this is one of the best festivals there is. Well organized, friendly people. Chill. I must agree. Resounding thumbs up. Gonna head over to our stage real soon. The temperature today is much more bearable today as well. A nice last day to an amazing festival.

5:09 p.m. Just got back from our set. It was really fun/funny. I had a total vocal crack in the bridge of “Knife” where I sounded like a teenager going through puberty. Oh well too much Coachella in my system! My own fault I suppose, haha. Crowd was super nice and I was shocked how many people came out to such an early show. Going to see CSS soon, can’t wait!

10:49 p.m. It feels so incredibly late. Tonight was so much fun. I got to see a lot of people I wanted to if ever so briefly. Have been overwhelmed by all the friendly people we’ve met who came to the show and have been around all weekend. Post show we could all just relax–had an amazing time at the CSS show where both Peaches and Paris Hilton were shimmying around. They were hilarious in the best way (CSS that is). Saw Klaxons for a few tracks but then went to see Jose Gonzalez, which was criminally under-attended. Then continued back to Klaxons for a track or two and headed back to dinner. Dinner was declicious.Finally, catering! No more $9 pizza! The small perks of performing.

Biggest mistake of the evening: Bothering to trek to see Lily Allen. Watching her was like watching a mall rat. She made reggae-lite music and complained about guys that have small penises. Her “security” was way too extreme, as if Madonna was in the area. Terrible show. We left after about 4 minutes.

After that we went to see Air who it seems never showed up. Well they were a half hour late by the time we threw our hands up to the air (yuk yuk) and left. Earlier in the evening a funny thing happened to the ladies and man of CSS. Out of nowhere with an authoritative strut Courtney Love appeared in the artist area and barged into the CSS trailer. At that point I assume she’s a fan and I continue on my merry way to get some water and meet up with the band. Little did I know she was just was looking for shelter and picked the closest trailer. Apparently she came in, said “I need this trailer” and asked “Who are you?” CSS proceeded to explain. She looked bewildered and left soon after.

At a pool party, must leave now!
Don’t Miss Our Constant Coachella Coverage! Get the scoop from Brian Hiatt, Rob Sheffield and indie-rock star correspondent, Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear.