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Coachella 2011: Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz gives audience in the front row some purple rain

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Few moments defined the bacchanalia of Gogol Bordello’s Saturday set like the raucous closer “Start Wearing Purple.” Mostly because the audience was quickly reminded that the song title isn’t a request, it’s a demand.

In the throws of chest-pounding percussion, lead singer Eugene Hutz proved his point with the bottle of wine clutched in his hand.

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After a few minutes of swigging and banging his head to the rowdy campfire rhythm, Hutz started sharing his beverage like a rap star douses a video girl in champagne. Fans were more than happy to open their mouths for a rain of maroon-colored vino from his half-empty bottle.

Images from the 2011 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

“Take it in kids!” yelled one face-painted fan. The excitement grew louder with each baptizing stroke from Hutz’ bottle. Energy from the mass chant of the song’s chorus “Start wearing purple wearing purple!” had people all the way in the beer garden turning their heads, dancing and spilling their beers.

All color preferences aside, it seemed hard to walk away from Gogol’s performance without a stain, whether it was your soul, or your shirt.

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