Coachella in pictures

Since 1999, The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival has grown in prominence, popularity, and cultural relevance. Held in the scorching California desert, the event manages to attract the best and brightest in music and art from around the world--like Brooklyn, N.Y. rock quartet Grizzly Bear and their queer lead singer, Ed Droste. After wowing crowds in one of the festival's ubiquitous tents, Droste dropped in for a photo session with The Advocate's Meghan Quinn. In the following photos Quinn captures more of Coachella's movers and shakers, as well as some smaller players who still managed to make a big impression.

Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear (at right) with boyfriend Chad McPhail.

Rufus Wainwright sits for a quick shot before hitting the Mojave Tent.

Peaches rocks us on the festival's sizzling first night

One of the many art installations on the grounds.

Trapeze artist draws a crowd before the Peppers hit the stage.

!!! gets the crowd jumpin' for their rock/dance performance.

Sierra Cassidy of Cocorosie sings into her Speak 'n' Say,

A drag queen on stilts admires the set from afar.

The restless crowd at dusk.

Balloonist performance art run amok.

Flea gets the crowd amped.

The boys of Grizzly Bear serenade on Sunday afternoon.

Dancers getting down in the triple-digit heat.

The dance tent was the place to be when the sun went down.

Rage Against the Machine's long-awaited reunion closes the festival.