Coachella Music Festival has become more of a nuisance than a festival to some.
The Coachella Music festival began in 1999 and has become of the nation’s biggest music festival grossing $540 million and having over over 90 thousand festival attendees flocking to the Coachella Valley to hear some of this years best artists.
The festival is produced by the Goldenvoice Company, which provides music festivals in California, Nevada, Hawaii,and Arizona. Goldenvoice provides other festivals such as FYF Fest in Los Angeles, and promotes countless concerts throughout California.
It wasn’t until 2002 that people started really paying attention to Coachella. That was the first year they grabbed some major headline bands such as The Beastie Boys, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The White Strips. Since then, the crowd has grown every year with more and more people wanting to see Coachella for themselves.
Since then issues have arose with Coachella. Many believe that it has become more a photo opportunity than an actual music festival.
“It’s become too hyped, and overpriced,” said Alexi Kriakin 19, Hospitality major. “It was supposed to be a simple and fun festival bringing together music and arts. Now it’s all about a cultural statement to stay that you’ve been to Coachella.”
These past five years the fan base for the Coachella Music Festival, held on April 11 thru 13 and 18 thru 20, has doubled. Ticket prices have risen astronomically. A three day pass to Coachella costs around $375. The cheapest bid for a ticket after they sold out was around $1,000.
The major question facing the Coachella Music Festival is, has the perception of Coachella switched from music to simply being able to say that someone went to Coachella? Some still go for the music.
Alyssa Lilley, 19, a marketing major at Loyola Marymount University, said “I went because the lineup was amazing, I saw so many of my favorite bands that I’ve always wanted to see it was so worth it, and I wish I could go back.”
Unlike Lilley, Chantal Barna, 27, fashion marketing graduate from Cypress College, said, “I actually had a ticket to go but I didn’t really care for any of the bands and none of my close friends were going, so I decided to sell the ticket.”
Others go to see and be seen.
Shirin Harin, 21, photography major at California State University—Fullerton, said, “I actually didn’t have enough money to afford to go this year, so my friends all pitched in and got me a ticket. I didn’t really care for the lineup this year. I went for the experience and because I had so much fun last year.”
The Coachella Music Festival has provided countless memories, whether one goes for a fun time or you want to hear live music. Coachella provides this for its guests and will continue to do this with future festivals. The Goldenvoice Ticketing company won a bid to keep The Coachella Music Festival in Coachella Valley till 2030 with hopes to have over 99,000 people attend.
Photo by Alyssa Lilley.
