INDIO , California ( CNN ) -- Parents danced with their young children to the infectious hip-hop beat of Lupe Fiasco on the main stage . The Yeah Yeah Yeahs ' Karen O is immersed in the music at Coachella . Twentysomethings wearing feathers in their hair jumped up and down to Somali emcee K'naan in the Gobi tent . In the portable toilets , an impromptu discussion broke out about the `` awesomeness '' of Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O . The mercury may have hovered close to 100 degrees , and somewhere outside the desert oasis of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival there was a global recession , but you 'd never know it from the carefree crowd on Day 3 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio , California . Although exact figures have yet to be released , about 50,000 revelers turned out for the final day of the 2009 festival for an eclectic lineup that included former Jam front man Paul Weller , rap pioneers Public Enemy , a reunion of Irish indie darlings My Bloody Valentine and a nearly three-hour set from The Cure . Promoters say the turnout exceeded expectations , and this year 's attendance figure might be the third largest in the festival 's 10-year history . The three-day ticket price may have been steep -- roughly $ 300 , including service charges -- but when divided among the 131 acts on the bill , that breaks down to less than $ 2.50 per act . This was also the first year concert promoter Goldenvoice offered layaway , which is how 18 percent chose to pay . The strong showing is good news for Bonnaroo , All Points West , Lollapalooza and other festivals taking place this spring and summer . Coachella was also moved up one weekend , which allowed for more kids on spring break to attend . Although Coachella is one of several music festivals in the United States , it still carries a certain cachet that 's hard to match . Perhaps it 's the scenery -- listening to music on a grassy polo field surrounded by swaying palm trees and craggy desert mountains . Or maybe it 's the thrill of discovering new artists and rediscovering old ones standing shoulder-to-shoulder with friends , strangers and the random Hollywood celebrity . Or maybe it 's the wacky moments that seem to happen only under the blistering desert sun . Where else could you get Morrissey -- a well-known vegetarian -- complaining in the middle of his Friday set that the smell of burning animals was making him sick , and that he only hoped it was human ? The Moz was referring to meat grilling in a food booth across the polo field . And when troubled British neo-soul singer Amy Winehouse dropped out of her Saturday performance because she could n't get a visa , M.I.A . stepped into her slot on the main stage -- but she apparently was n't happy about the upgrade . Despite a massive , adoring crowd and a highly charged set , the new mom exclaimed , `` This is the main stage ? Next time , I 'm back in a tent ! I prefer the sweat ! '' This was after her tongue-in-cheek nod to Winehouse , where she sang , `` They tried to make me do the Oscars , I said , 'No , no , no . ' `` Then , there were the memorable music moments . Friday headliner Sir Paul McCartney did n't end his playful , hit-filled set until about 54 minutes past the midnight curfew -- for a potential fine of $ 54,000 . ( According to Benjamin Guitron , media relations officer for the Indio Police Department , the promoter agrees to pay $ 1,000 for every minute past 12 a.m. ) On Saturday , Seattle , Washington , indie pop band Fleet Foxes drew an overflowing crowd to the Outdoor Theatre , charming the audience with its delicate , baroque harmonies . Sunday headliners The Cure played 31 songs from the group 's vast catalog -- concentrating heavily on early material , and for the most part , staying away from the biggest radio hits . They , too , played well past curfew -- continuing with their third encore even after the sound from the main PA system was cut off . My Bloody Valentine -- whose four members reunited last year after a decade apart -- was also a crowd pleaser , although an interlude where they played a single chord at maximum decibels for a mind-numbing 15 minutes left fans scratching their heads . Perry Farrell is the only artist who 's performed at all 10 Coachella festivals -- in Jane 's Addiction , Porno for Pyros , Satellite Party , as his alter ego DJ Peretz and in other incarnations . This year , he dueted with Thievery Corporation on the main stage , then headed over to the dance tent , where he joined his wife , Etty , for an electronic set . `` I would probably silently be very depressed if they would n't invite me , to tell you the truth . My mental health depends on them , '' he said with a laugh . Despite a time of belt-tightening , festivalgoers are finding a way to let it all hang out . According to The Desert Sun , the local newspaper , even two former first daughters could n't resist the draw of the desert . It said Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager dropped into Coachella on Saturday -- complete with Secret Service . Guitron could n't confirm the report , but he did say , `` I would n't be surprised if they did show up . Dignitaries just kind of show up like everybody else . ''
Coachella music festival wraps up this spring . Intriguing moments include Paul McCartney complaining about grilling . Both vegetarian Morrissey and The Cure run past curfew ; Thievery Corporation is cut off .