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Coachella Music Marathon Continues With Psychedelic Headliner

Other than an early morning fire that burned two campground bathroom trailers, the Coachella Music & Art Festival has gone on without any other major hiccups as the sun sets over the Empire Polo Club in Indio Saturday.

The fire destroyed one trailer and damaged another, the Riverside County Fire Department said, though no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation, but a mechanical unit that heats water for the showers failed and sparked the fire.

Saturday night's performers may drive Coachella Music & Art Festival attendees borderline crazy with a unique mix of psychedelia, creative hip-hop and viral hits.

Tame Impala, Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa and Billie Eilish are the big names set to perform at Coachella under clear, desert skies. The eclectic day of music is sandwiched between back-to-back powerhouse performances that took place Friday night, which included Childish Gambino and Janelle Monae, and what is sure to be a showstopping performance by Ariana Grande Sunday night.

Grande's Sunday show could even feature the likes of millennial-favorite boyband, 'NSYNC, if Instagram rumors turn out to be true. Already there have been of notable guest appearances, including saxophone-extraordinaire Kenny G who was brought onstage to perform with progressive rockers Chon earlier Saturday afternoon.

Friday night, French producer DJ Snake surprised audience members during his song "Taki Taki" by bringing out some major vocal starpower in singers Selena Gomez and Ozuna, as well as rapper Cardi B. For festival goers more interested in art, eye-popping visual installations will also be on exhibit at the grounds.

"An integral part of the Festival since its inception, the program of artist installations is unique in scale and ambition, activating and enhancing the 'pop-up city' and experience that Coachella is," organizers said. "Each year the Festival's art program establishes new and iconic cultural reference points to distinguish the festival, while contributing to the rapidly expanding visual arts landscape in the Coachella Valley."

The pieces not only bring whimsical notes to the desertscape, but they also act as important landmarks that help people navigate between acts. Festivalgoers, each paying anywhere from $400 to $900 apiece, are expected to flood the city to catch all of the world-class art and artists, and despite the availability of the Any Line Shuttle that can carry visitors between the festival grounds and area hotels, major congestion is expected on multiple routes.

The festival will offer around 160 acts this weekend and next weekend at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, where capacity crowds of 125,000-a-day are expected.

The first edition of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival began Oct. 9, 1999.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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