By Ameara Ditsche
Staff Writer
It’s that time of year again, where everyone you wish you knew is listening to EDM while dancing in the desert. Yes, Coachella is back and just as bad as before. They are still donating to anti LGBT organizations, they are still a cultural appropriation breeding ground, and it’s still in the middle of the desert.
Coachella is a music and arts festival taking place in California once a year. It happens for two weekends in mid-April. It is possibly most known for its juxtaposition of big stars and small artists, as well as the fashion choices of attendees.
Currently, C.E.O. of Coachella, Philip Anschutz, is still under fire for allegedly donating to anti LGBT organizations. He never said he would stop and is continuing to do so this year. The money spent on an overpriced Coachella ticket, is going towards conversion camps and the oppression of lgbt people. Ariana Grande headlined this year and in a feeble attempt at protest, displayed the LGBT flag. Grande is one of the world’s largest artists at the moment. There is no doubt in my mind that her headlining a night at Coachella drew in a large sum of money for the festival. Her support is appreciated, but misdirected.
Another issue that has been consistently voiced about many music festivals is the fashion, particularly how it often appropriates marginalized cultures. Namely bindis of hundiums and head dresses of different native american tribes.
While this specifically isn’t Coachella itselfs part, it is a result of its culture. Obviously not everyone who attends Coachella is guilty of this, some people don’t really dress up at all. However, the are contributing to a system that allows for this to flourish.
Coachella culture is the myriad of stereotypes we view music festivals to be. Another huge part of Coachella culture is drug use and its normalization. It is just expected of people at this point to do psychedelics or hallucinogens while at raves/festivals like Coachella.
A lot of these drugs associated with these festivals like molly or xanax are incredibly harmful and ruin lives. Pills are not an accessory. They are harmful and addictive, drug experimentation can be okay if done correctly and safely, but I doubt the environment at Coachella allows for that.
Speaking of Coachella’s environment, it is in the middle of the desert as it is in Palm Springs, California. Which, according to some Instagram users tagged location, has earned the moniker Coachella, California.
Palm Springs is in the Sonoran Desert and about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. Since the festival takes place in mid-April, the temperature is usually quite high which can be a downer when you’re outside for hours moving around a lot. The festival does have more comfortable lodging options like villas and tents with more amenities, but they cost a lot of money.
The best parts of Coachella—the ones you see plastered on influencers accounts—are reserved for the rich.
Don’t get me wrong, I do understand how fun music festivals can be. What I don’t understand is, why Coachella specifically has become the figurehead for the whole trend.
There are several big festivals across the country that feature some of the same artists, are in more desirable climates, and don’t have as much as shady finance history.
Just a few examples include, Made in America, Firefly, and Governor’s Ball.
Respectively in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dover, Delaware, and New York, New York. Woodstock, one of the first ever music festivals, is even reviving this year! Not too far from its original location in the Catskills.
Coachella culture and festival culture do not need to synonymous. You can get the same fun experience at multiple different locations and price ranges.
