Murs said it best after performing his hit, “L.A” on the Mojave stage. Several of us from The Audio Muffin made the trek from Southern California’s coastline into the blazing desert for Coachella 2008, not to be disappointed. The desert attracted its usual unique crowd, from hippies with faces painted cruising shoeless, indie loyals with oversized shades, punker haircuts and tight black denims, to some familiar faces among the crowd - Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Elijah Wood (Hobbit), Brandon Boyd (Incubus), to name a few. The Heineken Lights were flowing and the American Spirits were smoking as the heat created a daze amongst the Coachella grounds.

Even without the heat, the stages of Coachella 2008 were set ablaze by some scorching performances. The 2007 buzz band of the year, Vampire Weekend followed suit in preppy yacht attire and a performance that solidified their hype. Portishead enticed with their first show on American soil in who knows how long, and Prince….The Artist….Enough said.

Minus the Bear, with tight knit drumming, creative guitar distortions and mastery of the pedals attracted quite a crowd on the main stage and deservingly so. MGMT, another heavily hyped band definitely got the crowd jumping when they busted out their anticipated dance songs, “Electric Feel” and “Kids” which, during the added guitar solo, Alexander VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser proceeded to run around the tent amongst the crowd followed by a stunned pack of video junkies. Cold War Kids magnetized their audience with their musical abilities and soulful singing closing out their set with “Saint John” off Robbers and Cowards. A personal favorite of mine, My Morning Jacket, never fails to amaze. My buddy turned to me and said insightfully, “this sounds like Heaven.” Jim James was on top of his game as usual with his skeletor boots and signature scarf and there was a sort of unveiling of a new song entitled, “Mexico City”.

Cold War Kids - Saint John Download

Lets hop on the back of the VIP golf cart and take a look at my two favorite performances.

Hot Chip went off. They had the crowd jumping, singing, yelling and spinning. I was lucky enough to be backstage and even back there, everyone was going nuts, including SIA.

“Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it, Do it now!”

“Ready for the Floor” went mad, “Hold on” went ballistic, just an all around break out performance by Hot Chip - a previously covered band by The Audio Muffin. This UK group has found the perfect blend of great beats, instrumental additions and Alexis Taylor who has a kick-ass live voice. The water stands surely got hit hard after this intensive exhausting show.

Hot Chip - Hold On Download

Finally, MURS. MURS pulled out all the stops. Powered out some old favorites at the beginning, showed off some new songs that will be on the new album, Murs for President, including “Looking Fly” which has more of a dance feel to it. Next, he brought on the Jacksonville, FL based punk-rock band, Whole Wheat Bread, and rocked out with them for several songs all to be followed up by a knock out performance with his original crew, Living Legends. MURS changed stage groups three times, outfits twice, but never lost his captivation of the packed Mojave Tent. So stoked for the new album!

MURS - L.A. Download

The great thing about Coachella is no matter how hot and exhausting the weekend is, and how dreadful the car ride home, the following Monday morning, you just cannot wait until next year. And for all those who were worried, they found the Roger Waters escaped giant inflatable pig today on a driveway in La Quinta.

Cold War Kids - Robbers & Cowards

Hot Chip - Made in the Dark

MURS & 9th Wonder - Murray’s Revenge