Over the past 12 years, Indio, CA, has become a renowned destination for music enthusiasts with its annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
Coordinated by concert promoter Goldenvoice, who also helps put on
Vans Warped Tour, the desert music fest is famous for hosting headliners such as The Killers, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tool, as well as scorching temperatures.
On the weekend of April 16-18, Coachella gathered a record crowd of over 75,000 people each day, who had come to see Muse, Jay-Z, Gorillaz, MUTEMATH and Vampire Weekend, among many others.
Junior Lauren Boudreau of San Luis Obispo High joined the pilgrimage along with three other friends, anticipating a thrilling weekend.
“I went last year because I was invited to go and I didn’t even have to pay for my ticket or hotel. At the time I was not really sure what Coachella was, but it sounded fun,” Boudreau said. “Turns out I had the time of my life and was set on going again this year, so I saved up $300 for my ticket.”
While many festival guests stay at the onsite camping offered or at nearby hotels, Boudreau was able to stay in convenient housing.
“We stayed in a house my friend Corinne’s has in the La Quinta resort,” Boudreau said. “We were so lucky to have that as an option; it was so fun to stay in our own house all weekend. The first day we got ready in the morning and took one of the shuttles to Coachella.”
The festival grounds showcased 87 bands at six different stages: a main stage, outdoor stage and three tents. Some of the bands Boudreau saw on the main stage included Tiesto, Jay Z, Gorillaz, Muse, Spoon, Old Crow Medicine Show and De La Soul.
“Everyone seemed to love Tiesto, this huge techno DJ,” Boudreau said. “And it was amazing when Beyonce came on with Jay-Z and they sang ‘Young Forever.'”
Boudreau’s favorite performances came from the tent stages, however.
“I would have to say my favorite was Major Lazer or Little Boots,” she said. “Little Boots had really sick lasers, which was really cool. Major Lazer was really fun and the crowd was fun to dance with.”
Another stage, called the “Do Lab,” offered spraying water to the crowds, giving a place to cool down from the 90-degree weather.
Sculptures served a dual purpose as art and shade, such as a towering swan that also lit up at night. Another art piece that attracted Boudreau’s eye featured bursting flames of fire.
The entirety of the music-filled fest completely satisfied all of Boudreau’s high expectations.
“Overall, it was a crazy and so-much-fun three days,” she said. “It was a great experience and I definitely want to try to go as many years as I can.”
