Coachella, Is It Really Worth Going To?

One of the most popular and featured music festivals, Coachella, just took place on April 12th. The festival has gained an enormous amount of fame throughout the years, however, although its ticket sales have increased exponentially, Coachella seems to have lost part of its identity.

Coachella’s origins date back to a concert by the band Pearl Jam in 1993. The concert took place after the band members spoke against the exaggerated prices of tickets in concerts (read more about the origin of Coachella here). The festival was a success and continued to take place in the following years. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, Prince, and Madonna began to perform in the festival which resulted in Coachella to become even more famous than before. With the initial idea of having a cheap and enjoyable festival for all, Coachella’s evolution proved to be the opposite.

Today, Coachella is all about the outfits and the lavish lifestyle. Celebrities and influencers never miss out on the opportunity to wear incredibly detailed and stunning outfits. The festival, however, is not near affordable, VIP tickets retail from 400 US dollars each for just one weekend. Non-VIP tickets, although cheaper, are not worth wasting money on as it will be impossible to see the artist’s performances. Another common dislike to Coachella is the confusing arena set up; taking place in the middle of the desert, many who attended have complained about the difficulty to reach one place to another as well as the chaotic atmosphere. However, one of the most worrying parts of Coachella is the loss of its identity.

Coachella was intended to be an Indie music festival for people to enjoy and have a good time. And yet, many of those who visit the festival does not go for the music but rather the social media attention it will gain them. The initial goal of the festival has been long lost, although some people do still attend to enjoy their favorite artists. Most people associate Coachella with an Indie fashion show and not an event solely dedicated to music. Still, the special effects put into each performance and decorations almost make up for the lack of identity in the festival; drones, holograms, and light spectacles are featured in almost every act.

Regardless of the incredibly expensive admission ticket and chaotic field, Coachella manages to somewhat balance both music and the “fashion industry” within the festival. In truth, many simply come for the music, although there are those who act as advertisements for the event by promoting it on social media. Unique and interesting, Coachella is a fun experience for those who enjoy different music genres and want a weekend to get away from the stress of a daily routine.