Coachella gets material: April's Coachella festival expands its arty-hipster cachet with a visit from Madonna.

Since its inception in 1999, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the dust-swept outer regions of Palm Springs, Calif., has had no trouble attracting avant-garde queer babies who like their music as dark as their eyeliner. This year's two-day party, April 29 and 30, may encourage the entire spectrum of the gay rainbow to brave the triple-digit heat and dearth of good lighting to hear sets by the Scissor Sisters, Daft Punk, Massive Attack, James Blunt, Franz Ferdinand, Imogen Heap, TV on the Radio, My Morning Jacket, the Subways, Matisyahu, She Wants Revenge, Damian Marley, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the most anticipated--and mainstream--Coachella artist ever, Madonna.

Madge's performance in the dance tent marks her first festival concert and should play as an unofficial kickoff to her summer tour.

The gays will be represented on the stage as well as in front of it, with appearances by Icelandic etherealists Sigur Ros and Seattle-area girl rockers Sleater-Kinney, both of whom boast queer talent. And among all this unparalleled music are Coachella's typically overshadowed art installations and independent film showings that round out the festival and add to its impeccable cachet. For more information go to www.coachella.com.