Twenty-three Arrests Reported on First Day of Coachella

A total of 23 arrests for alcohol and drug-related offenses occurred during the first day of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, an Indio Police Department spokesman said Saturday.

While Friday's festivities got underway at the Empire Polo Club 14 people were arrested for suspicion of public intoxication and for possessing alcohol, Indio police spokesman Ben Guitron said.

Nine other festival patrons were arrested for suspicion of drug-related violations. There were no arrests today as the doors had yet to open, Guitron said.

There was hardly any vehicular incidents to speak of as traffic flowed without a hitch, Guitron explained.

"Traffic was good," he said. "We had some traffic issues but we were able to handle them."

Concert goers were seen driving, biking, or walking to the festival venue but Guitron still urged revelers to be careful. Revelers should not jaywalk or run in between cars to get to the festival, he said.

"Just be careful," Guitron said.

The sold-out festival runs through Sunday and again on April 18-20 with the same lineup both weekends. Friday's headliners include OutKast, the Knife, the Replacements and Neko Case; Saturday's were Muse, Pharrell Williams, Queens of the Stone Age and Lorde; and Sunday's include Arcade Fire, Beck Lana Del Rey and Motorhead.

Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-90s, according to the National Weather Service. Guitron said festival goers should wear comfortable clothing and stay hydrated, especially if they're not used to desert weather.

Information about the festival is available at www.coachella.com. City officials urged those with other questions to call the city of Indio at (760) 541-7800 or email concertinfo@indio.org.

— City News Service.