Good Charlotte's lead vocalist Joel Madden surprised his girlfriend Nicole Richie with a weekend trip to the Californian desert, along with three-and-a-half-month-old daughter Harlow.

The trio headed to the Palm Springs area for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, a three-day event headlined by performers including Prince, Jack Johnson and Roger Waters.

"[Nicole] hasn't been able to do a whole lot over the year, so we're having a little family trip," People quoted Madden, as saying at the BPM Hpnotiq Smurf House, where he DJ'd a festival pre-party Saturday Apr 26 afternoon.

"I [rented] a house and surprised Nicole with a weekend trip because she likes Coachella. She was like, 'I really want to go!' So I surprised her. We brought the baby," he added.

The trip was spent with 29-year-old Madden spinning out music for party guests including Dave Annable and Taryn Manning, while a smiling, relaxed 26-year-old Richie chatted with friends about her daughter, who was being looked after at their nearby rental home.

Joel's twin brother Benji Madden and his girlfriend Paris Hilton were among those attending the music festival, and comments about who will be tying the knot first, came up.

"We're the family with the baby so I think probably us, but who knows," Joel said, but remained mum on his and Richie's wedding plans.