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Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

The success of any tightly scripted, live event is certainly measured in ratings, ticket sales, buzz, and -- with regard to quadrennial political nominating conventions -- voting returns. But the real yardstick for any major pop-culture event comes down to one simple element: The surprise celebrity cameo. Recent examples include James Bond and Queen Elizabeth skydiving into the London Olympics Opening Ceremonies; Tupac Shakur's hologram at Coachella; and when Jon Hamm popped up to say goodbye to Kristen Wiig on "SNL."

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Black Keys on their first Coachella as headlinersupdated: Fri Apr 20 2012 16:48:00

"This guy looks like he was created by Wes Anderson," says Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach as Pulp's Jarvis Cocker gambols across the stage.

Bonnaroo lineup announced: Radiohead, Bon Iver, Skrillex and moreupdated: Tue Feb 14 2012 16:49:00

South by Southwest is right around the corner, and Coachella's already prepping its polo grounds for a two-weekend extravaganza, which means it's time to look forward to that third major warm-climate festival: Bonnaroo.

How to prepare for a summer music festivalupdated: Fri Jul 15 2011 08:21:00

From choosing the right festival to tips on camping and pacing yourself through the shows, here's (almost) everything you'll need to know about preparing for your next music festival.

Rapper Lil B on 'I'm Gay': 'We're all one people'updated: Tue May 31 2011 13:00:00

Brandon "Lil B" McCartney is no stranger to making bold statements.

People.com: Vanessa Hudgens & Josh Hutcherson Turn Coachella into a Goofy Dance Partyupdated: Tue Apr 19 2011 12:09:00

• Vanessa Hudgens had the perfect companion for a weekend of music, art and partying in the desert: rumored beau Josh Hutcherson. The two decamped to Indio, Calif., for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, and they hit up the Armani Exchange Neon Carnival, where they were spotted dancing together far away from the fray. "They were dancing together really goofily, clearly unconcerned with keeping up appearances," an onlooker says.

People.com: Coachella Festival Will Draw the Stars - Scarlett? Lea? - to the Desertupdated: Fri Apr 15 2011 18:31:00

Scarlett Johansson and Whitney Port are expected to attend the concert, featuring Arcade Fire, Kanye West and Kings of Leon

Coachella opens a season of sold-out festivalsupdated: Fri Apr 15 2011 13:19:00

This weekend more than 100,000 people will take in a music festival experience near Palm Springs, California, at The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Coachella preview: Bands plan ambitious multimedia installationsupdated: Thu Apr 14 2011 09:26:00

Fans wandering through the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend will encounter an ambitious array of audiovisual installations created by bands including Arcade Fire, Animal Collective and Interpol.

People.com: Kellan Lutz Hangs by the Pool at Coachellaupdated: Tue Apr 20 2010 12:14:00

• Some stars were there for the music - but Kellan Lutz was happy to just chill by the pool at the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs, Calif. In the desert for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, the Twilight star kept things mellow with his guy friends, who were sipping Belvedere drinks at the Music Loves Fashion pool party, which also drew out Lindsay Lohan, who was glued to her sister, Ali.

People.com: The Stars Swarm Coachella Festupdated: Tue Apr 20 2010 07:09:00

The biggest stars weren't always onstage! Zac & Vanessa, Kate Hudson and others crowded the outdoor music fest

People.com: Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard Cozy Up at Coachellaupdated: Mon Apr 19 2010 14:29:00

The low-key couple enjoy some fun in the sun at the California music festival

High heat, high spirits at Coachellaupdated: Mon Apr 20 2009 18:11:00

Parents danced with their young children to the infectious hip-hop beat of Lupe Fiasco on the main stage.

At Coachella, The Killers rock, celebs sightedupdated: Mon Apr 20 2009 11:14:00

For some concertgoers, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival really kicked into action on Day Two.

McCartney show is pop Olympus on Coachella's indie plainupdated: Sun Apr 19 2009 13:54:00

The souvenir booth at the 2009 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival said it all.

People.com: Legal Woes Halt Amy Winehouse's U.S. Tripupdated: Mon Mar 09 2009 15:07:00

The singer won't attend a California music fest because of her assault charge at home

People.com: Amy Winehouse, Paul McCartney Will Headline Coachella Festivalupdated: Fri Jan 30 2009 15:02:00

The singers will be joined by the Killers, the Cure and over 120 other acts in California

Don't do this in your carupdated: Fri May 16 2008 09:03:00

It's a familiar scenario. You're on your way to work, maybe running 10 minutes late, and you're trying to make up for lost time.

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