DRMumbai: When it comes to music festivals, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is unarguably the baadshah of them all – it is an event that pushes independent, emergent music with established musical royalty and achieves pop culture high with every single edition. Ever since it started in 1999, it has grown by leaps and bounds, but has avoided the full-scale corporate outlandishness so common for festivals this size.
First things first – Beyoncé, Eminem and The Weeknd are the headliners for Coachella 2018!
If you are travelling from India to the Empire Polo Club where the festival is held in Indio, we have a few tips for you:
Consider flying in to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) instead of Palm Springs International. Not only is it cheaper, Coachella also offers shuttles from LAX to the festival. LAX is the fourth-busiest airport in the world and for good reason! From expedited customs entry kiosks and exclusive lounges to complimentary makeovers and express massages, there are plenty of ways for travelers to live it up like a celebrity at LAX. With a valid boarding pass for same-day departure, travelers can go into any LAX terminals and explore a wide range of dining, retail and lounge options.
If you plan on landing in LAX, we suggest spending sometime in the City of Angels to make the most of your trip to the United States. Along with taking the mandatory selfie with the Hollywood sign, here are the top three thingsthat travelers going to Coachella must explore in Los Angeles:
• Pay homage to music at the Grammy Museum
The Grammy Museum celebrates the power and pulse of music. Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, this one-of-a-kind museum takes you into the world of musical accomplishments, broadening understanding of the creative process and showing how music in all forms seeks to express emotion.
• Catch a rooftop movie in Hollywood
The Rooftop Cinema Club screens the coolest movies on one of the best rooftops in Hollywood to deliver a wonderful viewing experience. The rooftop is equipped with a full bar & concession stand, and food!You will agree that it is the best way to experience an open-air movie theatre.
• Grab last minute outfits and accessories to look Coachella-ready!
If you are looking to up your fashion quotient before heading to the festival, you’re at the right place. With such a storied legacy of entertainment, arts and music, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles boasts one of the most vibrant and eclectic shopping scenes. Head to the Jewelry District, which according to the Los Angeles Convention Center and Visitor’s Bureau, is the largest jewelry district in the United States; or go vintage shopping to the likes of Squaresville and Tavin.
The Festival
Artists: In addition to Eminem, Beyonce and The Weeknd – top-billing artists include ODESZA, Portugal the Man, St. Vincent, Cardi B, Miguel, HAIM, Tyler the Creator, alt-J, Fleet Foxes, Post Malone, Migos, David Byrne, Kygo, The War on Drugs, SZA, A Perfect Circle, Jamiroquai and Vince Staples.
Food:With well over 100 food vendors present, Coachella doesn’t disappoint when it comes to eating options. There are tacos, burgers, gluten-free options, vegetarian options, corn dogs, vegan option, kosher options, dumplings, pad thai, a craft beer barn—you get the idea.The Coachella food scene, over the years, has been dominated by Los Angeles’ culinary geniuses. In case you missed trying out food made by the top chefs during your stopover inL.A. – high chances are that you can catch up on the grub at the festival. Coachella 2017 saw L.A. based eateries like Trejo’s Tacos, Fritzi Coop by Neal Fraserand Fat Dragon creating quite a buzz. Traveller’s should keep an eye out for these this year as well.
Tips to remember
- Watch newer bands and artists, and you’ll find yourself returning home with a whole list of talent to drool over.
- Very basic – but carry a bottle of water and plenty of sunscreen! The excitement usually gets overwhelming and travelers forget to drink water.
- Label your belongings, including your phones and wallets. In case items go missing, labels increase the chances of them being returned.
- Pre-decide on a meeting point with your friends/family. That way nobody gets lost even if their phone dies.
