The bellweather of all music and arts festivals really went big for their 20th annual. That's right, Coachella – one of the grandfathers of the modern festival movement – returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California for a celebration two decades in the making. Ever since its inaugural year in 1999, Coachella walked in the footsteps of its few predecessors (namely Lollapalooza and Van's Warped Tour) and created something far more powerful – a lifestyle. Before Coachella, concerts were simply that, a one-time show. Coachella, now presented by Goldenvoice, has paved the way for generations of music-lovers to ditch the conventional and migrate for the sake of music… but also for the sake of fashion, for the sake of art and love and unity. So much more goes into Coachella than any other festival entity (besides those thrown by Insomniac within the last decade, but EDM is a whole different festival experience altogether). For those that aren't aware, after rooting down in the Inland Empire's Coachella Valley for two days in '99, the festival took a year off at the millenium and returned as a single-day event in 2001. To this day, 2000 stands as the only year without the fest. Thus, being the year 2019, Coachella celebrates 20 years and its 20th Annual simultaneously!
Coachella celebrates 20 years and its 20th Annual simultaneously!
It's hard to imagine 20 years ago that Coachella spanned a mere two days, considering its whopping two weekends attendees have grown accustomed to! And, even with two full weekends, the event will sell out minutes after the event goes live to the public January 4th at 11am PT. No joke, mark your calendars for tomorrow morning, set an alarm and get to the site early. Coachella staff have ingeniously devised a virtual waiting room for ticket buyers to enter before the sale goes live, allowing attendees to get first grabs at the tickets they want. Be prepared to purchase alternative tickets, however, since even with the waiting room, chances are your GA or VIP plans may be sold out! The festival always pre-sells, as well, so general admission weekend one is already sold out!
Why is this year guaranteed to sell out faster than you expect? Let's talk lineup. Who are we kidding… people have been talking lineup since the conclusion of last year's fest. To everyone's surprise, the headliners are drastically different than the rumors that have been circling. Sorry, Justin Timberlake fans. Instead, Coachella 2019 will be headed with pop star multi-platinum sensation Ariana Grande, multi-talented rapper turned actor turned director turned DJ Childish Gambino and the biggest name in psychedelic alt-rock since The Flaming Lips, Tame Impala. Just like Coachella's ethos to invite “every one” to attend (of all genders, races, sex and creeds), the festival further invites all musical denominations. Let's examine per day this all-inclusive application of genre:
Friday, April 12th and 19th welcomes Janelle Monaé, The 1975, DJ Snake, Diplo, Rüfüs Du Sol, BLACKPINK, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Kacey Musgraves, Juice WRLD, Ella Mai, Los Tucanes De Tijuana, FISHER, Jaden Smith, Nina Kraviz, Rosalía, Gorgon City, Mon Laferte, Khruangbin, Kayzo, dvsn, King Princess, Chris Lake, Jauz, Hot Since 82, Charlotte Gainsbourg, SOPHIE, Nicole Moudaber, Tierra Whack, Polo & Pan, Beach Fossils, Yellow Days, The Frights, Nora En Pure, Yves Tumor, SG Lewis, Kero Kero Bonito, JPEGMAFIA, Calypso Rose, Nic Fanciulli, Kölsch, CamelPhat, Let's Eat Grandma, U.S. Girls, Anna Lunoe, Amelié Lens, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Walker & Royce, Turnstile, RAT BOY, 88Glam, Ross From Friends, Lauren Lane, Still Woozy, Bakar, Blond:ish, Tomasa del Real, Las Robertas and Dave P. kicking the both weekends off. Lest we forget Childish Gambino at night…
Saturday is a big one for alt and EDM lovers! With Tame at night, there's enough excitement throughout the day to get you stoked the minute music returns to the stages. Starting with Heidi Lawden, The Red Pears, The Messthetics and Javiera Mena, the day continues with Steady Holiday, Ookay, serpentwithfeet, Superorganism, shame, Hop Along, Agoria, The Garden, Lee Burridge, Adriatique, Little Simz, CHON, Âme, Jambinai, Murda Beatz, A R I Z O N A, CloZee, Stephan Bodzin, SALES, Turnover, Soulection, JAIN, Parcels, Idris Elba, SiR, The Interrupters, FKJ, Smino, Deep Dish, Ty Segall & White Fence, Sabrina Claudio, Mr Eazi, Tale Of Us, Virgil Abloh, Bob Moses, Gryffin, Sheck Wes, Maggie Rogers, Bazzi, Mac DeMarco, Wiz Khalifa, Christine and the Queens and Four Tet. But, before Tame Impala melts everyone's minds, Saturdays' direct support of BASSNECTAR, Billie Eilish, J Balvin, Aphex Twin, Weezer, Kid Cudi and Solange is a party you don't want to miss.
No matter what, your Coachella 20 experience is guaranteed to be elevating, liberating and downright life-changing.
Before you know it, it will be Day Three and Coachella 20 will be coming to a close. Fear not, for Ariana Grande is the big finalé! Also attached to two epic Sundays in the sun is Kalid, Zedd, Gesaffelstein, Bad Bunny, Dillon Francis, CHVRCHES, YG, Cirez D, Playboi Carti, H.E.R., Blood Orange, Pusha T, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Kaytranada, Gucci Gang, Jon Hopkins, SOFI TUKKER, Burna Boy, Lizzo, Dermot Kennedy, SOB x RBE, Clairo, NGHTMRE, Perfume, boy pablo, Guy Gerber, HYUKOH, Emily King, Dennis Lloyd, Alice Merton, Shallou, 070 Shake, Soccer Mommy, Rico Nasty, Cola Boyy, Wallows, Masonair, Nocturnal Sunshine, Dusky, Yotto, Patrice Bäumel, Easy Life, Jan Blonquist, Iceage, Men I Trust, Charlotte de Witte, Social House, Ocho Ojos, Razorbumps and Tara Brooks. Combine all of the above with larger than life art installations by Francis Kéré, Office Kovacs, Dedo Vabo, Poetic Kinetics, Sofia Enriquez, NEWSUBSTANCE, Do LaB and Robert Bose, you've got yourself two wild as hell weekends in the desert.
Obviously, if you've been going to Coachella since its origin, you know the drill: opt for the camping you want, bring the essentials, remember parking passes, etc. For those not aware or going for the first time, there are several camping packages to choose from ranging from car or tent camping ($125) all the week to the Safari Camping package ($9,500). At least you get shuttled around in a golf cart for almost $10k. Speaking of shuttles, for those flying in, there will be a Coachella LAX Airport Shuttle operating throughout both weekends. Bring whatever you want, but keep in mind that all vehicles will be heavily searched upon arrival. One case of beer or a box of wine is fine though! Although rolling into the fest in an RV will make all your friends beyond jelly, RVs are unfortunately no longer permitted. There are off-site RV parks to choose from though! No matter what, your Coachella 20 experience is guaranteed to be elevating, liberating and downright life-changing. For more information or to snag those passes January 4th, visit www.coachella.com.
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