Kevin Bronson on April 20th, 2009

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The Brian Jonestown Massacre played an incredibly well-mannered set in the Mojave Tent at Coachella.

No, that’s not a typo, or sarcasm. The long-running L.A. psych-rockers, unfortunately famous more for the meltdowns of frontman Anton Newcombe than for their music, delivered a shortish set that built from a gentle, tie-dyed groove to an equally colorful Britpop churn. Newcombe, who played much of the set facing his seven bandmates, summarily ignored a few hecklers who tried to bait him. You know what? It was a beautiful thing.

After BJM, it was time for PBJ. But even with appearances from fellow Swedes Lykke Li and Robyn, pop trio Peter Bjorn and John – in the late-afternoon heat on the main stage – was more like Plain Boring and Yawn. Material from their new album “Living Thing,” which incorporates dollops of world beats, felt flaccid compared to songs like “Amsterdam” and “Young Folks.” If they looked at the crowd after performing the latter, they saw plenty of backs.