Story: Hipsters in Heat - The 2008 Coachella Valley Music Festival

In the words of LCD Soundsystem, one of last year's headliners..."If you're worried about the weather, then you've picked the wrong place to stay."

For those that can deal with temperatures nearing triple digits, huge festival crowds, and accompanying the porta-potty "issues", the Coachella Valley is the place to be in April if you are a music lover. Every year for the past 9 of 10 years throngs of fans have descended upon the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California to soak in the sun, sights, and music.

And there is certainly a lot of music. With over 130 bands across 6 stages over 3 days, there is a little something for everyone. From favorites from the past (Prince, Portishead, and Roger Waters) to bands most people will be hearing of for the first time (MGMT, Les Savy Fav, Yo Majesty), the music at Coachella spans a broad variety of genres...although the line-up does favor the "alternative" side of the music spectrum. You are bound to leave with at least a few new bands to add to your "must-buy" list.

Beyond the bands are the numerous art installations, dance performances, and some hardcore people watching. You'll see sunburnt hipsters, spinning ex-hippies, and what seemed to be this years' "it" accessory...babies clad in giant ear protection (thankfully). But the one comment I heard the most from bands and attendees alike is the crowd at Coachella is different from most festival crowds...youthful, easy-going, friendly, and clean (the last one obviously being a relative term).

The festival offers on-site camping, but many opt to rent a condo, book a hotel room (rates tend to triple for this weekend), or enjoy the more luxurious camping/RV parking at off-site campgrounds.

As a 7 year veteran, I always enjoy the festival as my yearly excuse to rough it, to dance, to "let loose", to be an anonymous one in a sea of thousands screaming at the top of my lungs for one of my favorite bands. This year was a little bittersweet...knowing that with a newborn on the way it will probably be my last for a while. But I look forward to years down the road when I can experience it with my kids...of course I'll bring plenty of sunblock.