STRADDLING ROCK AND RAP, COACHELLA FESTIVAL SIZZLES.

Byline: Jesse Hiestand Staff Writer

At first glance, the eclectic bill of Saturday's Coachella Music and Arts Festival seemed divided along rock and dance acts, with hip-hop straddling the gulf between verse and beat.

But through 12 hours of relentless sun and cool evening breeze, it was possible to glimpse popular music's past and future - often on simultaneous display at Indio's Empire Polo Field.

It's not electronic music that's sounding dated.

A reformed Jane's Addiction headlined with an oldies set including ``Jane Says'' and ``Stop!'' that has not evolved since 1991's Lollapalooza tour. A powerful start faded to a no-encore ending with singer Perry Farrell pleading for 10 minutes about freeing Sudan's slaves.

It did not help that Jane's mellow numbers were drowned out by the drum 'n' bass of Bristol, England's, Roni Size & Reprazent blasting from the side stage. Their rapid-fire beats and sub-sonic bass carried far across the festival grounds with unequaled intensity.

That moment also found the main dance tent, itself bigger than a football field, transformed to a sardine-packed rave of dancers sweating and swaying to synth screeches and pounding drums from a Chemical Brothers' DJ set.

Around midnight the lights came up and the crowd of more than 32,000 began to shuffle out of this expertly organized and executed festival.

If anything, people were left wanting more after up to 12 hours of nonstop music on five stages, countless small tents blaring house music and the odd drum circle. Add to that a small film festival, arts and free PlayStation games, and Coachella has lived up to its ambition of being a stateside version of England's long-running Glastonbury Festival.

Eighteen months after the first Coachella Festival, organizers at Goldenvoice tried to beat the heat by switching to one date in spring, from two days in the fall. Temperatures still topped 90 degrees Saturday, driving many to seek any form of shade.

Live acts like rockers Iggy Pop and Weezer, or rappers the Roots brought sizzle to the main stage, which gave way to the sundown dance set of superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold and his exhilarating blend of noirish themes and brutal beats.

The side stage was a strong draw throughout the day with the infectious Latin grooves of Los Angeles' Ozomatli, St. Germain's jazz noodlings and the rap of Mos Def and Gangstarr.

Elsewhere played top-draw electronic artists like Tricky and Kruder & Dorfmeister.

DJs got as much or more rock star adulation than the live acts and often wrung more energy from their audiences. Christopher Lawrence's trance set took the crowd to ever-higher peaks before Doc Martin nearly raised the roof with his hard-hitting, funky house. Precious little floor space was left for anyone wanting to see Fatboy Slim and Chemical Brothers, who turned it over to the Orb for a finale.

After bringing Southern California a true festival - one with its ear to the future - it would be a great loss if Coachella faded like a mirage. The early word is organizers finally made money this time and are already planning for next year.

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Perry Farrell, left, and Dave Navarro of reunited Jane's Addiction got top billing at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival on Saturday, but the band's lack of new material was nothing shocking.

Jesse Hiestand