Music, fashion, and celebrities – oh my! Coachella is the event of the year where people from all walks of life come together and enjoy a weekend among the palm trees. Celebrating its 20th year in business this year, Coachella is a festival that drives in hundreds of thousands of people every year. However, behind the Instagram posts and the outrageous fashion trends, Coachella’s reality is much different than its expectation.
Music, fashion, and celebrities – oh my! Coachella is the event of the year where people from all walks of life come together and enjoy a weekend among the palm trees. Celebrating its 20th year in business this year, Coachella is a festival that drives in hundreds of thousands of people every year. However, behind the Instagram posts and the outrageous fashion trends, Coachella’s reality is much different than its expectation.
Coachella was inspired by the revolutionary festival Woodstock, held in Bethel, New York in 1969. Woodstock paved the way for music festival’s today, especially when concerning Coachella. The idea for Coachella first came about when Pearl Jam became frustrated with Ticket Master for spiking the prices of their tickets, making it difficult for many of their fans to attend their concert. In retaliation, Pearl Jam broke away from the company and, instead, wanted to have their own concert – one that would be more available for their fans. In 1993, with 25,000 people in attendance, Coachella was born.
Coachella was inspired by the revolutionary festival Woodstock, held in Bethel, New York in 1969. Woodstock paved the way for music festival’s today, especially when concerning Coachella. The idea for Coachella first came about when Pearl Jam became frustrated with Ticket Master for spiking the prices of their tickets, making it difficult for many of their fans to attend their concert. In retaliation, Pearl Jam broke away from the company and, instead, wanted to have their own concert – one that would be more available for their fans. In 1993, with 25,000 people in attendance, Coachella was born.
Since then, Coachella has grown. What once was a plan to give back to the fans, has now become a worldwide phenomenon, finding its footing in the culture of today. Music of almost every genre and art installations that go beyond the imagination fill the valley. Major headliners such as Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino’s are just a few of the musicians that have graced the stage. Coachella is a cultural center that continues to inspire new generations. But, behind all the glamour and lights, is Coachella really what it promotes? . . .
Since then, Coachella has grown. What once was a plan to give back to the fans, has now become a worldwide phenomenon, finding its footing in the culture of today. Music of almost every genre and art installations that go beyond the imagination fill the valley. Major headliners such as Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino’s are just a few of the musicians that have graced the stage. Coachella is a cultural center that continues to inspire new generations. But, behind all the glamour and lights, is Coachella really what it promotes? . . .
The reality of Coachella is that it isn’t the magical fantasy land that is spamming your newsfeed. In truth, it is a valley in California that becomes overcrowded on a couple of weekends every year. Also, it is not accessible for everyone. The cost for one ticket is above $400, which does not even include travel expenses or a hotel room, leaving many with no other option but to ‘ruff it’. In short, only the rich are able to attend Coachella, going against its original purpose.
The reality of Coachella is that it isn’t the magical fantasy land that is spamming your newsfeed. In truth, it is a valley in California that becomes overcrowded on a couple of weekends every year. Also, it is not accessible for everyone. The cost for one ticket is above $400, which does not even include travel expenses or a hotel room, leaving many with no other option but to ‘ruff it’. In short, only the rich are able to attend Coachella, going against its original purpose.
Many really do not know the true impact that Coachella brings, especially to those who have to live right next it. To the neighbors, Coachella is a hindrance rather than a time of partying. They are forced to face the noise, the people, and, most terrifying of all, the traffic. During the festival, many people forget that there is a world outside of Coachella – a world that has been there long before the festival was even thought of. Though the festival does bring in a lot of revenue for the Indio community, once all the guests leave, it is the residents that end up left with the mess.
Many really do not know the true impact that Coachella brings, especially to those who have to live right next it. To the neighbors, Coachella is a hindrance rather than a time of partying. They are forced to face the noise, the people, and, most terrifying of all, the traffic. During the festival, many people forget that there is a world outside of Coachella – a world that has been there long before the festival was even thought of. Though the festival does bring in a lot of revenue for the Indio community, once all the guests leave, it is the residents that end up left with the mess.
If you shift the focus away from the celebrities and the Snapchat posts, what you end up with is a cesspool of filth, creating harmful effects not only on the people but to the environment. Coachella, and music festivals in general, generate a large amount of trash, to say the least. Though there are trash bins located within the festival, unfortunately, not everything makes it into them, contaminating the earth instead. As global warming continues to remain a major threat, is Coachella really worth the environment?
If you shift the focus away from the celebrities and the Snapchat posts, what you end up with is a cesspool of filth, creating harmful effects not only on the people but to the environment. Coachella, and music festivals in general, generate a large amount of trash, to say the least. Though there are trash bins located within the festival, unfortunately, not everything makes it into them, contaminating the earth instead. As global warming continues to remain a major threat, is Coachella really worth the environment?
Tents are abandoned, wrappers are thrown on the ground, chairs are discarded across the area – after the festival is over, a sea of garbage is left behind. The amount of trash left behind is so ridiculous that there was a woman arrested this year for throwing out seven new born puppies, some of which died as a result. Though there are trash services established to handle the garbage, it is still shocking to see that the event of the year turns into a dumpsite.
Tents are abandoned, wrappers are thrown on the ground, chairs are discarded across the area – after the festival is over, a sea of garbage is left behind. The amount of trash left behind is so ridiculous that there was a woman arrested this year for throwing out seven new born puppies, some of which died as a result. Though there are trash services established to handle the garbage, it is still shocking to see that the event of the year turns into a dumpsite.
Environmental hazards aside, Coachella has been under attack more than once on its blatant disregard for other cultures, particularly to the Native Americans. Attendants tend to wear headdresses and accessories that to those in the Native American community consider sacred. At places like Coachella, what was once sacred is now mocked simply because it is ‘trendy’.
Environmental hazards aside, Coachella has been under attack more than once on its blatant disregard for other cultures, particularly to the Native Americans. Attendants tend to wear headdresses and accessories that to those in the Native American community consider sacred. At places like Coachella, what was once sacred is now mocked simply because it is ‘trendy’.
This act of appropriation, which would be often condemned, thrives in Coachella, where it is praised as ‘fashion’ rather than a treasured piece of Native American heritage. Sadly, there has been no effort to put a stop to this, mainly because the festival benefits as it has now become common for attendees to dress as ‘hipsters’ and/or ‘bohemians’. Needless to say, many people within the Native community are outraged by this blatant disregard for their culture. However, with Coachella profiting, for now, it doesn’t look like there will be a stop put to this anytime soon.
This act of appropriation, which would be often condemned, thrives in Coachella, where it is praised as ‘fashion’ rather than a treasured piece of Native American heritage. Sadly, there has been no effort to put a stop to this, mainly because the festival benefits as it has now become common for attendees to dress as ‘hipsters’ and/or ‘bohemians’. Needless to say, many people within the Native community are outraged by this blatant disregard for their culture. However, with Coachella profiting, for now, it doesn’t look like there will be a stop put to this anytime soon.
Another factor that is often ignored when talking about Coachella is the crime rate. When people post about the festival, they tend to focus on the highlights rather then what really goes on behind the scenes. The truth is that Coachella experiences a large amount of arrests every year, with the majority being the cause of alcohol and/or substance abuse. In fact, in the year of 2016, on Cochella’s first day there were 128 arrests made. Every year the percentage of arrests rise as Coachella becomes a hub for illegal action.
Another factor that is often ignored when talking about Coachella is the crime rate. When people post about the festival, they tend to focus on the highlights rather then what really goes on behind the scenes. The truth is that Coachella experiences a large amount of arrests every year, with the majority being the cause of alcohol and/or substance abuse. In fact, in the year of 2016, on Cochella’s first day there were 128 arrests made. Every year the percentage of arrests rise as Coachella becomes a hub for illegal action.
More crimes such as sexual harassment also go on during the Coachella weekend, resulting in many people coming forward, claiming that they were either sexually assaulted and/or raped during the festival. These unfortunate occurrences continued to worsen, promoting the festival to deploy officers around the festival grounds who specifically search out for victims of sexual assault. This is a far cry from the fantasy which many have created around Coachella.
More crimes such as sexual harassment also go on during the Coachella weekend, resulting in many people coming forward, claiming that they were either sexually assaulted and/or raped during the festival. These unfortunate occurrences continued to worsen, promoting the festival to deploy officers around the festival grounds who specifically search out for victims of sexual assault. This is a far cry from the fantasy which many have created around Coachella.
Coachella has become a romantic destination where influencers, rich kids, and celebrities flock together. Though the fesitival’s primary goal is to promote music and the arts, in reality, there is more going on behind the Instagram stories and Facebook posts. It cannot be denied that Coachella offers a great experience for those who are able to attend, but there is more to the festival then what is being portrayed.
Coachella has become a romantic destination where influencers, rich kids, and celebrities flock together. Though the fesitival’s primary goal is to promote music and the arts, in reality, there is more going on behind the Instagram stories and Facebook posts. It cannot be denied that Coachella offers a great experience for those who are able to attend, but there is more to the festival then what is being portrayed.