Coachella 2010: No substitute for the Cribs and a promise from Calle 13

The Cribs, one of Coachella's casualties from the testy, ash-spewing volcano in Iceland, were not replaced for their outdoor stage slot at 4:30 p.m. Instead, the lawn in front of the stage functioned as a crash pad for weary desert-ites, napping with their faces covered with sun hats or sitting in groups, idly smoking as they waited for She & Him.

For a crew of Brits who had traveled to America for Coachella and a little Vegas detour, the absence of the Jarman brothers was a mere glitch in the day. "Are Echo and the Bunnymen here?" one asked with panic in his eyes. When assured yes, they wandered off to see the rest of Yeasayer's set.

Blowing past the main stage, where the Puerto Rican band Calle 13 was playing a messy, hot mix of brass-stamped rock, reggae and shout-along hip-hop, dancers at the edges of the crowd twirled each other, girls stamping the grass with their strappy ankle sandals.

Lead singer Residente, in a rare respite between songs, surveyed the crowd. "Soon," he said, "we're going to do an album in [messed] up English for you guys." OK, we're holding you to it, dudes.

-- Margaret Wappler

Photo: The Puerto Rican band Calle 13 performs on Friday. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times