Music. Say the word, and most girls in California will think of Coachella. My friends Emerson, Sage, and I went to the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held annually in Indio, California, from April 11th to April 13th. It was the first time that all three of us had gone to Coachella to experience the festival of music and arts. Needless to say, it was one heck of an experience.
The weather was warm on the first day — around 96 degrees or so. All the girls walking around were either dressed in bathing suits, skirts, light dresses, shorts, tank tops, bandeaus, or bras. The guys, well, they either wore shorts and a tank or shorts and nothing else. There were different stages spread out around the campground, the big attraction being the Sahara Tent. Most of the electronic dance music acts played in the Sahara Tent, such as Skrillex, Krewella, Dillon Francis, and Zedd. Some other popular acts were Ellie Goulding, Disclosure, Lana del Rey, Outkast, and Muse. These musicians played at the Outdoor Stage, the Coachella Stage, and more.
It was incredible to watch thousands of people come together from all different parts of the United States, and even from around the world, to celebrate and enjoy music. One could always see a gathering of people in front of each stage, regardless of what act was performing. You could be sitting on the ground eating watermelons with your friends while listening to a crowd full of people singing the lyrics to “Blue Jeans” by Lana del Rey. On the shuttle rides to the festival, people talked to strangers sitting across from them about who they were planning on seeing.
My friends and I bonded over our common love for Dillon Francis, Skrillex, Ellie Goulding, and many other artists leading up to Coachella. When the lineup was released before the festival date, I remember that there was an instant reaction on social media about how excited everyone was. Coachella gives people opportunities to see their favorite artists in person if they couldn’t have seen them on tour before. I have always wanted to see Ellie Goulding, Zedd, and Lana del Rey perform live, and now, thanks to Coachella, I have.
On Friday night, when everyone gathered in the Sahara Tent to watch Zedd perform, I realized the beauty of music. We were standing in a crowd of complete strangers, but we all had one thing in common: We knew Zedd’s music, loved it, and were excited to see him perform. When the crowd started singing along to “Clarity,” I saw the magic of music happening all around me. Music speaks to everyone around the world because it can be interpreted differently, yet it has the same appreciation. Coachella was a memorable experience, and I can’t wait to go back next year. There aren’t many places where you will you find so many people willing to pay almost $400 and willing to brave the heat, the throngs of people, and the crowded bathroom lines just to see their favorite bands sing in person. Music truly is the great uniter.