Coachella 2012: Radiohead Gets Communal; Buzzcocks, St. Vincent + Others Go Primal on Day Two (PHOTOS)

Day two, week two, of the flame-broiled Coachella festival brought the highest temperatures yet, but this time the crowds were ready. Shirts? Who needs 'em? From the neo-tribal drum-circle vibe during tUnE-yArDs' set to the frothing mosh pit that opened up for English punk godfathers Buzzcocks, there was something a little ... primal in the air.

After whipping the kids into a frenzy with their closer, "Orgasm Addict," even the normally stoic Buzzcocks had their blood up, yelling, "Keep rock 'n' roll alive, turn off f---ing MTV!" St. Vincent strutted onto the stage like she was in Prince's backup band and proceeded to rock everyone's faces off with a crazed rendition of the Pop Group classic "She Is Beyond Good and Evil," and Feist's set felt at times like a Renaissance faire on acid.

Canadian post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor played in almost total darkness -- it was so dark almost no one realized they were on, and those who did wander into the tent were either entranced or terrified. Meanwhile, one tent over, a bouncing sea of water cannons, strobe lights, and bikini tops celebrated SBTRKT.

Perhaps luckily, Radiohead were around to keep everyone in line. Thom Yorke was downright civilized, asking, "Would you all fancy a nice cup of tea?" before launching into "There There."

English manners aside, he did manage to get into the communal vibe, pointing out that the band keeps touring even though it's "big and scary and it does my head in" because "it's a collective thing; it's you and us." That was proven beyond doubt when tens of thousands added their voices to "Karma Police" ... and kept singing after the song was over. It wasn't exactly a hippie love-in, but everyone went home with a healthy dose of summer vibes.

The Buzzcocks


Feist


The Shins


St. Vincent

Follow @Spinner on Twitter | Like Us on Facebook | Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Download Radiohead Songs | Buy Radiohead Albums