The iconic, annual, cultural phenomenon, that is Coachella, took place during the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19. This year’s Coachella was historic with Karol G being the first Latina to headline the music festival in its 27 years. Along with this groundbreaking record, Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter headlined, bringing a sense of trendy pop, along with contemporary R&B. It is no surprise that these infamous artists, along with so many others, make people forget about just how uncanny Coachella actually is.
Coachella was originally made by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen of Goldenvoice, in an effort to create an artist-focused alternative music festival similar to European ones. Through Pearl Jam’s boycott of Ticketmaster and service fees plus venue control, they performed at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, where Coachella is now hosted annually. For Coachella’s first event, artists like the Chemical Brothers, Rage Against the Machine, and Beck headlined. From the indie-rock roots that Coachella was known for, it would quickly develop into the mainstream musical event it is known for now.
Simple economics explains that when things get more popular, the creators get greedier. This trend was clearly seen in 2026, as a General Admission ticket cost $540-$640. The cost does not include the on-site camping, VIP passes, or shuttle costs, which can add hundreds of dollars. The culture of camping in the desert for this festival is even more difficult than it sounds. Regular showers often require waiting for hours, or using the “Super Duper Showers,” premium shower trailers with more privacy and cleanliness that costs $10 per shower. To avoid the lines, people bring their own makeshift showers and refill their water bottles. In the prime heat of the desert, the warmth gets unbearable quickly for some, especially those with sensory issues.
If you do not want to camp, do not worry, you just need to spend $5,000 or more on an Airbnb near the club’s grounds! Individuals who are not sponsored by a brand have to go the extra mile to make it through the weekend. Lots of people are not blessed with custom-made gowns, outfits, and makeup looks, to just show up each day and return to their air-conditioned condo at the end.
With so much hype for the outfits and artists that are performing, people forget about the process and troubles it takes to get by the three day weekend. Coachella should be much more accessible. Yes, it is a music festival and not a necessity, but even then, the average person deserves to enjoy events just as much as those who were given an invitation.
