Is Coachella Really Worth It?
So… is Coachella Worth the Hype?
As Coachella 2022 wrapped up and 2023 is right around the corner, we’ve been thinking about the great Coachella debate. Obviously, the festival is widely-admired as its sheer 750,000 attendees that last year can attest for. However, some people have their reservations about Coachella - it’s pricier than most festivals, its lineup consists of mostly pop stars, etc. So, we thought we would break it down and give you the main factors that differentiate Coachella from the average music fest and decide: Is it really worth the money?
Let’s Talk Location
Firstly, location is a huge factor for many people who wish to attend Coachella. It takes place in Indio, CA (which many people haven’t even heard of because it’s a fairly small city in Riverside County.) However, it’s now nicknamed the “City of Festivals,” thanks to the various events held in the city, including of course, Coachella. So, why do people want to attend a festival in Indio? Well, it provides the perfect setting to do so, with beautiful desert skies and palm-tree-lined streets. On top of that, it’s just a short trip from the famously desirable Palm Springs. Most festival-goers stay in Palm Springs and make a true vacation out of their trip!
Of Course - The Lineup
A more obvious reason many think Coachella is worth attending is the star-studded lineup. Coachella is probably the most famous music festival in all of North America, so if you want to see some of the biggest artists perform in a festival setting (from Beyonce to Radiohead), this is definitely the festival they’re going to do it at. Even if your favorites aren’t on the lineup, you can count on there being a fair share of the hottest artists out at the time, as well as some of the classics! Check out who is playing in 2023 here.
Celebrities… And More Celebrities
For some, this is a major factor - for others, not so much. No judgment here. Many love attending Coachella in large part for the celebrity sightings. Sure, at any music festival, you’ll see celebs performing on stage, but Coachella is one where they’re likely to be in the crowd next to you. Since the fest is in Cali (home to L.A.), many A-list celebrities attend each year and it’s likely there will be moments where they’re walking around the festival grounds, exploring and trying to grab those iconic photo ops, just like everyone else.
Art Installations
Finally, let’s talk about money value. A 3-Day General Admission wristband to Coachella runs you about $599, before taxes and fees. This is about $100 more than your average 3-Day fest pass. So for those that need a valid reason to spend that extra 100, this is where that falls. Coachella is often referred to as a music festival, but it is technically a music and arts festival. Every year, featured artists create huge (sometimes collaborative) pieces to display at the festival. These honored installations add an element to the festival that other fests don’t usually have, and of course, they make for great photo ops! Some of the installations featured at the 2022 festival include structures like a nine-story “butterfly”.
Picture Yourself in Coachella Valley…
Is it worth the hype? Our conclusion is that there’s no festival quite like Coachella. It’s a place to see and be seen, and an experience everyone should live out at least once. It’s never too early to start planning the ultimate Coachella vacation.
