It is with much childlike glee that we shut down our computers and unplug from the mainframe of the matrix for a few days and head to the glorious lands known as the 2012 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, for what is surely one of America’s best musical throwdowns. Yes it’s gotten increasingly commercial through the years, but it’s still an experience unequaled — and one of the funnest weekends Southern California has to offer.

We are stoked to be going, and will be doing a Top 5 (10?) of the festival, with full photo gallery, upon our return to brain numbing normalcy civilization. We want to thank Hyundai for sponsoring, and look forward to spending some quality time in their RE:GENERATION Lounge — an air-conditioned environment (graciously loaded with recharging stations for your depleting iPhone) located inside the festival grounds between the  Sahara & Mojave DJ Tents. You’ll want to pop by, as they’ll have a customized Music Veloster on display with some world class DJ’s spinning out of the trunk decks and signing photos with fans (schedule TBA). You’ll also be able to download tracks from the Hyundai sponsored RE:GENERATION film (5 original tracks + 5 remixes from Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Mark Ronson, DJ Premier and The Crystal Method).

This is all part of their initiative for their RE:GENERATION Music Project, a documentary film which we sincerely and enthusiastically gave two thumbs up to (read our in-depth review HERE). So Hyundai has also set up a large outdoor screening area inside the camp grounds to play the RE:GENERATION film for three nights each weekend to see for yourself. Like we said, the film is way more than some branded corporate schlock — it’s an innovative behind-the-scenes peek at some world class producers getting out of their respective comfort zones and recording with legendary artists (The Doors, Ralph Stanley, Martha Reeves, LeAnn Rimes, etc) from far flung genres. For music fans, and fans of the producers involved, it is a must see. If you’re out in the deserts we’ll see you there, otherwise we’ll do our best to bring you the best when all is said and done. Till then…

If you like the delightfully fun Coachella poster below, head on over to our friends at the The Loyal Subjects and pick one up, or find them at the booth facing the main stage…