Time to party! Katy Perry and the Hilton sisters let their hair down at Coachella

She's usually the one doing the entertaining.
But last night Katy Perry took a break from her performing duties to party with the masses at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The 26-year-old singer joined a plethora of excitable celebs who let their hair down for the annual party in the California desert, including Hilton sisters Paris and Nicky.

Getting her groove on: Katy Perry parties in the crowd at the Coacheall music festival in the California desert last night as she watches Sleigh Bells perform

The three day event kicked off yesterday, with the likes of Cee-Lo Green, Lauryn Hill and American noise pop duo Sleigh Bells performing to a sell-out crowd.
This year's tickets sold out in just days when they went on sale in January, so it was with high anticipation that thousands flocked to the music event.
Braving gridlocked traffic on freeways, and huge queues to gain access to the venue, the lucky wristband holders did their best to deal with the heat in Indio, at the heart of the Mojave Desert.

Sisters doing it for themselves: Hilton siblings Paris and Nicky let their hair down too

Pucker up: Early in the day Nicky was seen kissing her boyfriend David Katzenberg by the bar as the pair soaked up the sunshine

Celebrities, of course, have their own VIP section near the main stage, but no special treatment could protect them from the temperatures in Palm Springs, which reached 38C yesterday.
High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, 22 , found a canny and stylish way to beat the heat, by wearing a Bianca Jagger style floppy hat.
Doubtless, she's probably too young to realise that the main proponent of her titfer was the Rolling Stone's former wife, but she wore the look with aplomb.

Rocking it: Singer Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells performs during during the first day of the music event

Partying into the night: Fans dance as the Black Keys perform

Summery: Reality star Whitney Port, left, and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio

She also made sure to be well hydrated as she chatted with friends on the lawn, which is used as a Polo pitch during other times of the year.

 

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Usher, meanwhile, hid behind a pair of shades, even when protected by the backstage tent - he posed with fellow singer Miguel as the event started to rumble into action.
Regular punters had less concern about how to keep stylish in the oven-hot heat, and simply stripped off their clothes.

Music fans: Sir Paul McCartney and girlfriend Nancy Shevell, Twiligh actor Kellan Lutz sporting a bizarre rolled up trouser look and Leonardo Dicaprio, who kept it low-key, hiding under a cap

Legs on show: Twilight star Ashley Greene kept it short and sweet in a pair of Daisy Dukes

Coachella has become synonymous with fashion, as well as music.
Increasingly that fashion has become daring, as crowds -  who have largely headed east from Los Angeles - strive to find unique ways to stand out from their peers while keeping cool.
Yesterday marks the beginning of the event, which runs until Sunday.

Keeping it cool: Disney star Vanessa Hudgens donned a floppy hat to protect her from the searing heat

Shady characters: Miguel (left) and Usher (right) in the VIP area

VIP treatment: Dita Von Teese and her boyfriend and safari -ready Jack Osbourne joins in the festivities

It boasts a stellar line up, and tickets are selling from touts at $600.
It wasn't just the temperatures that were hotting up and Whitney Port, Nicky Hilton and Dita Von Teese were all seen getting close to their respective beaus while enjoying the festivities.

Indeed heiress Nicky was seen puckering up to her man at the bar while taking in the scene.

Short shorts: Actress Tara Reid and her friend in their respective festival attire and, right, former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff and a mystery blonde

Flower power: A pair of girls soak up the sunshine and enjoy a cigarette simply wearing flowers to cover themselves

Crowds: Thousands got in the party spirit for the beginning of Coachella today

Keeping cool: Many revellers stripped off to keep cool

The socialite has been with beau David Katzenberg since 2006 but they looked like love's young dream as they canoodled together in the sunshine.

Cee Lo Green is just one of the big names that revellers get to enjoy, the weekend will see performances from Kanye West, surprise Grammy winners Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Plan B, Suede and many, many more.
Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683. For U.S. stories, phone 310 642 2317.

Crowd pleaser: Lauryn Hill took to the stage on the first day of the festival

Stellar: Cee-Lo Green was one of the first amazing performers to entertain the crowd