Play that funky music

The three-day Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in California played to sellout crowds this weekend and shattered attendance records, festival officials said. The festival, now in its 11th year, had a record 75,000 people per day, up nearly 15,000 from last year's daily average.

But the record attendance and a later curfew — 1am instead of midnight — weren't the only new wrinkles in the festival. Promoters found themselves worrying about the eruption of an Icelandic volcano and its massive ash cloud, which halted flights in and out of Britain and northern Europe. A festival spokeswoman said seven artists were grounded in Britain, including the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, which had been on tour in Europe. British rock bands the Cribs and Frightened Rabbit were among those unable to get to the US for the festival.

Frightened Rabbit had a prime Friday afternoon slot, and was counting on Coachella to increase its standing in the US. "This is bad for us on all levels," said Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison. "We were about to head out on a US tour, and this would have been a good way to get a few more fans on board."

Getting to Coachella wasn't easy, even for those in Southern California. Traffic was at a near-standstill for much of Friday afternoon. Once they parked, fans spoke of hour-plus waits to get into the gates.

Henry Conklin, a 19-year-old New York University student, said his friend paid a woman $40 (Dh225) to cut in line.

Even with longer hours and five stages of music, many festival-goers had to strain for a glimpse of the more hotly anticipated acts. Up-and-coming rock group Yeasayer and beloved electronic act La Roux were performing at one of Coachella's three tent-covered side stages, which overflowed in the afternoon heat, keeping many fans 30 or more feet away from snaring a glimpse of the artists.

Yet the mood on the grounds was far from tense. Attendees were eager to brave the heat and lines for a Friday night headlining set from one of music's biggest stars, hip-hop artist Jay-Z. He had an unbilled, A-list surprise guest in tow — his pop-star wife, Beyoncé.

"That was one of those Madonna moments," Conklin said, referring to the Material Girl's 2006 appearance at Coachella. "Seeing larger-than-life superstars like that is kind of surreal."