Coachella 2008 summed up in a word? Disappointing. From the confusing choice of headliners, to the lack of a really huge band in line with the fest’s indie rock sensibilities, to the low turnout on Sunday, this year the beloved festival in the California desert somehow failed to generate that warm fuzzy feeling.

Live & Rockets bassist/vocalist David J looked not unlike he did a good twenty plus years ago, but guitarist/vocalist Daniel Ash has morphed into a rock & roll caricature over the years, exchanging his trademark long, spiked hair and smoky eyeliner for a Slash-like top hat, ruffled shirt and white sunglasses. Drummer Kevin Haskins was all but hidden behind his drum kit and like the rest of the band, spent the performance fumbling and trying to cover up his band mate’s fumbling.

The jubilant indie rock en espanol of Café Tacvba echoed while my group rustled up tickets for Coachella’s coveted Saturday lineup. Scalpers were selling tickets for Fridays show for $70, but were steadfastly demanding upwards of $100 for today. After all, Prince would be headlining.

Friday at Coachella didn’t feel at all like the 96 degrees that YahooWeather had threatened, but maybe that was because of our late start.

At some point, the DJs decided to crank the treble up to maximum, prompting people to clutch at their ears in agony and make a mad dash for the shuttles that were bussing people to and from a casino parking lot, which served as a rendezvous point. Unfortunately, the three formerly laid back security guards were not equipped to handle a mass exodus of tired, grumpy, inebriated revelers and orderly lines dissolved into one pushing, shoving mass. People pounded on the sides of shuttles that frightened drivers refused to let anyone board. Groups stowed away in luggage compartments. It got ugly.