Coachella, which takes place in Indio, California, is one of the world’s most iconic music festivals. Hosted annually at the Empire Polo Club, the festival is held for two weekends in April. For those two weeks, Indio’s arid desert landscape swarms with different celebrities and music lovers celebrating the most popular hits of the year. Coachella is more than just a festival. It is the height of American culture and entertainment. Despite the pricey admission, the festival is well worth the experience.

April 14 marked the opening day of Coachella this year. Most of the festival goers are young adults, who flock to the festival by the thousands. Huge names in music like Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Radiohead headlined the event this year. The mix of music styles at Coachella always appeals to a millennial audience. Every year, there is a huge influx of young people from the celebrity hub of Los Angeles.

“Coachella is a time where people coast to coast gather to celebrate their shared love of music,” said junior Niki Randall.

Perhaps the only thing better than the music at Coachella is the fashion.  Flower crowns and fringed pieces were old news at this year’s event.  Coachella fashion icons such as Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, and Vanessa Hudgens dressed to impress.  These stars seemed to literally shine in their shimmering body suits and ensembles, paired with decadent jewelry.   No fashion piece is too outrageous for Coachella.

“I am beyond excited to pick out all of my outfits for Coachella next year!”, said junior Eve Harari.

Essentials for Coachella include a fanny pack, selfie stick, phone fan, charging pack, and a pair of over-the-top sunglasses.  Although a packed snack may be a wise choice for an essential, the festival also provides an extensive array of diverse food options from food trucks and make-shift stands.  Nevertheless, the keys to the weekend-long survival at Coachella are hydration and plenty of sunscreen!

Last year, the promoter that runs Coachella, Goldenvoice, inaugurated Panorama, a music festival held on Randall’s Island in New York City. This year the lineup includes Frank Ocean and Tame Impala. New Yorkers seeking a Coachella experience without the six-hour flight may want to try this festival first.