Since 1999, Coachella, a world-renowned music festival, has headlined some of the top artists of this generation. The iconic main stage has hosted artists like: Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Green Day, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Eminem and so many others. An audience like no other, is what some of these artists dream of. Said to have contributed over $1.5 billion dollars to the economy, the festival is majorly popular and only continues to grow as the years pass.
Every year, the chosen performers are announced before the festival and the reactions from the public come quickly thereafter. The overall opinion this year was positive. Sara (12) says she thought the choice in performers “resonated with [her] music taste. They had like a lot of diversity; a lot of different types of artists.” Campbell (11) says she “liked the choice of performers.” Although, her favorite year was “the year Beyonce performed, nothing will ever compare to that.”
The popularity of some of these artists is what draws some of these fans to the festival itself. Sara says her “favorite performer was “Charli XCX because she’s bringing new perspectives to experimental music.” Campbell agrees saying, “Charli XCX was my favorite because she brought a lot of performers out with her. I also just love her music.”
A big trend we’ve seen this year is Coachella becoming an event influencers are getting invited to. Fans of the artists as well as the artists themselves have commented on the issue, Charli XCX saying on stage, “you promise you’re gonna be louder than that other weekend that we don’t mention?” As most influencers were invited to weekend one, fans online were quick to draw attention to the quiet and unenthusiastic crowds. XCX’s statement, made on weekend two, is thought to hold more of the “real fans,” fans who aren’t influencers and are avid concert goers. Campbell agrees with this rhetoric saying, “I think it’s stupid that influencers are being invited to Coachella, its ruining it. They don’t even care, they’re just there for the Instagram Picture.” Sara disagrees claiming, “I don’t oppose it. If brands want to send influencers, I think it’s ok.”
Coachella 2025 is another one for the books and only cemented its popularity in society and the expected turnout for years to come. Although the festival received criticism, it is nothing we haven’t seen before and something Coachella, no doubt, expects every year. This festival will only gain attraction as the years go on. It will continue to house the greats and launch the up and coming.
