A Guide to Celebrating Coachella: Understanding the Festival Experience

Coachella is arguably the most famous music and arts festival in North America and has been setting trends in the U.S. and globally for over two decades. Each year, the hype keeps growing, breaking attendance records as hundreds of thousands flock to the event. For both fans and artists, Coachella has become a dream destination. Not even the mixed reactions to Beyoncé headlining in 2018 could diminish the demand for tickets. With a wide array of artists and stages showcasing music and arts from around the world, it’s rare for anyone to leave disappointed.

The Coachella Valley in Southeastern California first gained prominence in 1993 when Pearl Jam had a memorable performance at the Empire Polo Club. This venue later became home to the festival, drawing crowds from across the U.S. and beyond. The festival officially started in 1999, and within a decade, it had achieved a cult following. Music enthusiasts wanting to see their favorite pop and rock musicians, as well as performers eager to take the stage in Indio, began flocking to the event.

Booking agents have a long list of artists eager to perform, and preparations begin as early as August for the festival held in April. Coachella’s rising popularity led organizers to introduce the controversial “Radius clause” in contracts, prohibiting artists from participating in nearby states’ festivals for several months before the event. While this clause has faced legal challenges, it continues to shape the festival’s future.

Coachella’s history is illustrious. It began in 1999 with alternative rock acts like Beck, Tool, and Rage Against the Machine, alongside the Chemical Brothers, promoting artistry over mainstream fame. Over time, the festival embraced more commercially successful artists, welcoming acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Beastie Boys, and Madonna, who did a surprise performance. Legends such as Prince, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, AC/DC, and Guns N’ Roses have graced the main stage, as have Radiohead on multiple occasions. Beyoncé’s 2018 performance, a notable departure from the festival’s rock roots, was celebrated as historic.

Coachella’s financial success is unmatched, earning over $100 million in 2017 alone. However, ticket prices have soared, with the 2019 festival priced at $429 for three days. Add-ons like car camping inflate the cost, making the overall experience potentially exceed $1,000. Despite this, fans can opt for seven-month payment plans, and the region around Palm Springs reliably attracts crowds for the two festival weekends.

While live music is a major draw, Coachella is also dedicated to various forms of art, including visual art, sculpture, and installations. Initially influenced by Burning Man highlights, the festival in 2010 began commissioning unique works specifically for its event, enhancing its artistic scope. Architectural iconography, like the Spectra building, and installations such as Supernova and Palm-3 World Station, have become prominent features, perfectly blending with music. Visual artists like Cyclecide, Robochrist Industries, and Tesla Coil have made repeated appearances.

Lastly, Coachella is a significant trendsetter in fashion, showcasing vibrant, unique outfits often worn by festival-goers rather than performers. Styles like boots, shorts, and white dresses can become trends simply by gaining popularity at Coachella. The festival allows trendsetters to showcase their style and provides a platform for others to introduce new trends, embodying what it means to be “so Coachella.”