Day 3 was as hot as a Tabasco bath.

After missing some of the earlybird acts (thanks to a post-Prince after party that was held in a dustbowl at the Indio airport til dawn), the day began with the electrified gypsy sounds of Gogol Bordello.  Last time I attended one of their punk rock bar mitzvahs, I was kicked in the head from the front, a schmuck hurled himself over a barricade and jumped on me from behind, and my camera got smashed into tiny morsels.  That happened in a crowd 1/8 the size; I decided to watch this GB show from the flipside of the field.

Metric was next, and god bless her, it takes a special brand of woman to go braless in a metallic, space-romper in the middle of the desert in the middle of the day.  Emily Haines and her combat babies went synthrock all over our asses with a set of new oldies and old newbies.  A few tech difficulties with the Pro One keyboard only added to the charm of the show.  You might recognize Haines and guitarist James Shaw from other bands such as Broken Social Scene or various contributions to Stars, but they’ll always be Metric to me.

Drippy hangover music ala My Morning Jacket provided an appropriate stickyness for the late afternoon heat that followed.  Accompanied on stage by a stuffed bear wearing a poncho, Jim James went forth like a man possessed, bringing 70s-vibe, southern jam, indie rock to the Coachella disciples. 

Love and Rockets on the Outdoor Stage had no new tale to tell, but sounded good doing it.  Though I’d already made my way to Sia’s tent set, I heard the former Bauhaus boys donned their alter-ego Bubblemen suits for a few final numbers.

Sia sang songs both sexy and sweet.  One day I will write a review of the Zero 7 vocalist using ONLY words that start with the letter S.  I can do it.  Just give me time.  The Aussie pixie with perfect pitch brought along her glowing flower stage props and blacklight-friendly outfits to the costume party.

While Chromeo and Justice offered pulsating, scenester action in the backlot tents, it was Roger Waters who (looking quite like Richard Gere these days; Richard Gere with crazy eyes) wowed the final night of Coachella, closing the festival with so much bang that it warrants it’s own review.

Coachella 2008 proved to be the best yet incarnation of itself, but next year is the festival’s 10th anniversary.  Start packing…

Photos by Lisa Brenner