Unpacking How the Culture of Coachella Has Changed Over the Years
During this year’s Coachella festival, guests went all out to make their experience fun and exciting. From outfits and makeup to living quarters and performances, everyone found ways to fully enjoy their Coachella weekend. Green Day, Post Malone, FKA Twigs, T-Pain, Leon Thomas, Megan Thee Stallion, Tyla, and Lady Gaga were just a few of the many artists who performed at this year’s festival.
Festival-goers reported setting aside over $1,200 to comfortably cover the full experience — including outfits, accommodations, food, and other miscellaneous costs. It’s definitely a pretty penny to attend, with some people even opting for payment plans to break the total cost into installments.
Many factors contribute to the overall ballpark of Coachella expenses. Tickets alone start at over $500 for general admission and can surpass $1,100 for VIP packages. Another major cost is where you choose to stay. Since the festival spans two weekends and each weekend runs for about three days, planning your living situation ahead of time is key.
While many attendees chose hotels or Airbnbs, this year saw a rise in people camping on the festival grounds, either in their cars or RVs, to save money. For those staying on-site, Coachella provided communal showers and bathroom stalls. Food was available for purchase at the festival, ranging in various price points, but many guests packed their own food to cut costs wherever they could.
Crowd Culture at Coachella
The crowd that Coachella attracts has drastically shifted over the years. Musically, there has been a blend of emerging indie artists and mainstream headliners to reflect the festival’s musical diversity. Alongside the charting artists, Coachella provides a platform for experimental artists to shine. Clairo, Japanese Breakfast, and other artists appealed to attendees who wanted to hear an alternative sound. The great amount of genres featured at this years festival helped fans experience a wide spectrum of music.
While the festival’s diverse lineup caters to varied music tastes, it also highlights how the music industry has changed as a whole. Indie artists increasingly share their spotlight with mainstream performers. This inclusivity fosters a notable atmosphere that encourages festival-goers to broaden their ears to new artists and genres.
Fashions: Then vs Now
At past Coachella events, attendees treated the festival as a place to showcase bold, indie-inspired outfits with personal flares of individuality. Fashion at Coachella played a huge role in the festival’s popularity, especially during the peak “flower crown and plastic choker” era.
Although Coachella originally started as a staple event for the indie music scene when it launched in 1999, it has evolved into a global phenomenon. By the 2010s, especially during the blog era, the festival gained major traction with influencers, celebrities, and fans traveling from around the world. One of the most iconic moments in Coachella history was in 2018 when Beyoncé headlined, which was a performance that famously birthed the term “Beychella.”
Today, Coachella fashion has shifted once again, and the outfits are a lot more curated and trend-driven. The festival itself is now a melting pot of aesthetics. You’ll see eveything from high-end fashion pieces, Y2K, and Western revival. Many of the outfits worn are infuemced by social media aesthetics, designer collaborations, and celebrity street style instead of the free-spirited, indie looks that once defined Coachella style. However, individuality is still celebrated through these fashion moments.
How Do Festival-Goers Feel?
There were many mixed reviews of this year’s Coachella, and much of it had to do with economic factors, Many people opted out of attending the festival due to the rising costs compared to previous ueats. Some attendees and online spectators pointed out that the inflation of tickets, accommodations, and other expenses takes away from the original spirit of the festival, which once felt more accessible to doffermt economic groups.
For those who did attend, many reported having a great time overall. However, there has been a new stigma pf Coachella becoming an “influencer fest”. Celebrities and influencers have benefited from attending these festivals as a part of a brand trip. These trips create a more commercialized vibe, which many complained takes away from true Coachella culture of music, community, and individuality.
Another point of conversation were the living situations. While some festival-goers stayed in hotels, Airbnbs, or and RV, other’s who required a more budget friendly sleep option camped in tents or even slept in their personal cars throughout the duration of the festival. For many, this was not an issue due to Coachella including communal showers and restrooms, but some reported problems like long lines for said facilities during peak times.
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As Coachella continues to evolve, it reflects the changing dynamics of music and culture. This festival that was once a haven for indie music lovers has shifted to accommodate broader range of musical experiences. While this transformation is sparking some mixed feelings, it is clear the Coachella will continue to be a pivitol event in the festival world.
Coachella still captures the essence of what makes music festivals special — a space where music, fashion, and people converge to create unforgettable experiences. The future of Coachella may look different, but its cultural impact is undeniable, and it will continue to shape the way we experience live music and fashion for years to come.