You thought all the action happened at the Empire Polo Field? Think again. For a select few "influencers" and "tastemakers," the Palm Springs region turns into a wonderland of pre- and post-parties where lucky guests get to rub elbows with celebrities and other festival VIP.
One such event at the nearby Merv Griffin estate Saturday treated party-goers to acts like Santigold, The Dough Rollers and DJs Shorty Stump and Michelle Pesce at the first-ever H&M Loves Music Coachella pool party. Famous faces in the crowd included actress Diane Kruger of "Inglourious Basterds" with her boyfriend Joshua Jackson ("Fringe"), as well as Julianne Hough ("Save Haven"), Darren Criss ("Glee") and Sophia Bush ("One Tree Hill").
Santigold performs at the H&M Loves Music Coachella 2013 Kick Off Event.
(Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for H&M/AP Images)
Rough life, huh? As Los Angeles Times reporter Jessica Gelt put it: "First-world problems were evident Saturday afternoon at Coachella as a spate of daytime parties erupted in the desert sunshine like so many alcohol-soaked fireworks." And while Gelt doesn't actually say what those first-world problems are, we can take a guess: waiting your turn for the raft, failing to make Santigold laugh or dropping your iPhone in the pool while instagramming.
In addition to poolside fun, guests at the H&M Loves Music event took turns in the pond's paddle boat or challenged each other to games of ping-pong and bocce ball.
Musician Chuck Criss (L) with his brother, actor Darren Criss of "Glee" at the H&M Loves Music Coachella 2013 Kick Off Event. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for H&M/AP Images)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers will take the main stage as Sunday's headliners to close out the festival. Any guesses as to what manner of surprise guest will pop by?
Peep scenes from Coachella 2013: Day 1 and 2 in the slideshow below. New photos include performances by Moby, Janelle Monae, Pusha T, Postal Service, The xx and Phoenix. Of note: Thomas Mars of Phoenix treating the stage equipment like monkey bars and crowd-surfing.
