It may be odd to say this, but the most surprising thing about Coachella Day One may have been a minute-long ad for Daft Punk's massively anticipated new album Random Access Memories, played on the main stage's big screen. The clip, which showed Pharrell crooning to a slinky new track backed by R&B legend Nile Rodgers, also provided a laundry list of other collaborators including Paul Williams, Todd Edwards, producer Giorgio Moroder (who had already been anounced), Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, DJ Falcon, Chilly Gonzales, and Animal Collective's Panda Bear. Whoa.
As this has become something of a tradition at Coachella, the crowd is abuzz with the rumor that the robot DJs themselves will show up at the festival, perhaps to give a hand to fellow French countrymen (and friends) Phoenix. While this is pure speculation –– and Daft Punk has officially denied an appearance –– it's still a great reason to stick around for Phoenix's set tonight. Fingers crossed.