Pitchfork

One weekend a year, the California desert is packed with sweaty fans of the latest and greatest in indie and alt-rock, hip hop, and electronic music, as the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival takes over Indio's Empire Polo Field. In 2007, come extra prepared for the triple-digit-degree weather, because the fest has expanded its schedule; taking cues from Lollapalooza, it will run over a three-day weekend, spanning from April 27-29.

But that's not all the news for next year. Billboard.com reports that Coachella promoters Goldenvoice will kick off a currently untitled country music festival, also in Empire Polo Field, the following weekend, May 5-6.

Artists scheduled to perform at the event include Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Lucinda Williams, Sugarland, Nickel Creek, Ricky Skaggs, Earl Scruggs, and Sparrow Quarter featuring Béla Fleck. Four stages, most notably "outlaw" and "storytelling" areas, will be erected for the party, with Garrison Keillor and Texas poet Red Steagall performing on the latter.

Coachella, as has become tradition, will keep us in the dark with regard to its lineup until late January or early February. According to Billboard, so far, only Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have confirmed their participation.