Coachella: Is it worth attending?!
Question: I’ve been meaning to check out this annual festival for some time now. Was very close to attending the year Bauhaus performed. It ended up working out because they toured with NIN not long after. Still, I’m curious. To anyone that’s gone, how was your experience? What are the pluses, drawbacks, where did you stay, etc?
Answers: I’ve been meaning to check out this annual festival for some time now. Was very close to attending the year Bauhaus performed. It ended up working out because they toured with NIN not long after. Still, I’m curious. To anyone that’s gone, how was your experience? What are the pluses, drawbacks, where did you stay, etc?
I went to it twice. Personally, I have mixed feelings about it. I haven't seen what the line-up will be, but they generally draw some pretty cool acts. The environment (at least the people) have been pretty cool. Honestly, if you move the event to somewhere with a less ridiculous climate it would be pretty awesome.
I hate the heat, and the two years I went it was 100+ both days mixed with all the crowds and it's expensive and a pain to get anything done. Also, I camped both years which in theory sounds like a really fun way to do it, sure. I went up with a bunch of friends to camp and go for two days to see awesome music. If you go, DON'T CAMP. The way it was, you're worn out from all the heat, which you can't escape because you're still outdoors. You feel all gross from it, but you can't shower. You want to get some rest, but you've got a bunch of douche bags that just arrived for day 2 who decide it's the perfect time to throw an all night techno party blaring their tricked out car speakers. It was an all too similar experience both years. That aspect was awful.
With that said, I'm glad I went. I got to see the Pixies and Radiohead back to back. Great Belle and Sebastian and Sonic Youth performances along with a lot of others that just aren't coming to mind at this second, a great Q&A with Ian McKaye. It was just miserable conditions. The really angering part is I heard the year after we went and I swore I would never return (for the second time) I heard the weather was really pleasant.
Personally, I saw All Tomorrow's Parties in Long Beach, CA not long after the second time I went to Coachella and had a much better time (although even in just one day the line-up was quite comperable).
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Thanks, glad it was helpful.
Yeah, like I said, I hear the weather wasn't so bad either a year or two years ago, but it's definitely not worth the risk. Plus, even without the weather factor after doing a day at a festival I always look forward to the prospects of showering. Backpack a/c is an awesome idea. Some benevolent genius needs to make that happen.
I live close enough that if I go, it's just for the day. But the cheapest way to go about it is to bring a tent and just camp on-site (or a nearby campground). Even buying a cheap tent while you are out here is cheaper than the hotels. Plus, you can meet more people that way if that's what you are into.
Like most festivals, you can see a lot of good bands but you have to put up with some questionable ones as well. So, you better be sure it's worth it. Tickets are around 85 per day, and the three day passes are quite expensive.
I went last year, in 2006, but I only went for one day and stayed at a hotel resort in Palm Springs. We drove in the morning of, and traffic was horrendous. We were in the car so long my boyfriend had to pee in a bottle. It was a very long walk from the parking lot to the car. The grounds were nice, not too spread out. They only had beer, wine, and vodka drinks, except in the VIP tents. The stages were setup so that you could see the performances from across the damn field. The sound was good. I didn't notice a problem with the bathroom. Food was expensive. It was a fun experience, I didn't think camping looked like fun...it was kinf a gross campground from waht I saw.
I have always avoided Coachella based on the intense heat, despite my living within 2 hours of the location (hauling @$$). Any band that has played there that I wanted to see has ended up playing in a much closer venue anyways.
Hell yeah
its ment to be brilliant!
I would go just to see Bjork live for the first time.