My Coachella Recap + Music Festival Checklist
I’m no stranger to a music festival. I’ve been to all kinds: big, small, inner city, in the foothills, bluegrass-centric, EDM-heavy, with family, with friends, with strangers. I’ve eaten the $14 chicken tenders in desperation. I’ve cried, overwhelmed by the music. I’ve met people I still stay in touch with. I’ve danced in rain, shine, and oppressive heat. This year, I made my way to the big one: Coachella.
Music lovers, musicians, bloggers, and celebs alike all take on the two-weekend event, side by side. The democracy of the event is just as inspiring as is the art, the fashion, the music, the food, and the drinks. Everyone is excited to be there, no matter who they are. Everyone has a chance to shine here.
Coachella is one of the more orderly music festival experiences I have had. It is set in Indio Valley on the Empire Polo Club field. That makes it clean, easy to walk, and easy to navigate after the first few hours. Alcohol consumption is limited to certain designated areas, which ensures that no one is getting belligerent. I never felt uncomfortable or pushed around. I also felt like, besides a few bands of annoying girls, everyone was really there for the music and the art.
If you’re wondering, the ticket price is totally worth it. As with any festival, you can see dozens of artists on your hit list instead of paying one big ticket price to see one artist. For example, I just looked up tickets to see Tame Impala in Miami and the least expensive ticket is $275. That’s half my Coachella ticket price. I made it to close to 20 shows at Coachella including artists like Bazzi, Kahlid, Lizzo, Arianna Grande, Bassnectar, Weezer, and new discovery Calypso Rose. I also was really excited to see King Princess perform, who I had been following for several months.
Since Coachella really kicks off festival season, I decided to create a festival checklist for you! I have a few more on my list this year, so this is just as much for me as it is for you. Keep scrolling to get ready…
A Good Hat
At every festival I’ve been to, I was either mad I didn’t have a hat or really really grateful I did have a hat. You’re in the sun for a very long time and it’s amazing how much it cools you down. You can also take it off and use it as a fan. If it starts to rain, it keeps you dry. A hat also hides your hair if it’s gettin gnarly. I picked up this tan Billabong hat and another black western hat at a thrift store. I don’t think it’s worth saying what type of hat you should get, just get one or two that will go with a few outfits and fit your vibe.
The Right Bag
As I get older, this gets more important. You want a bag that stays out of the way, that can withstand the elements, fit all of your essentials, and also make your outfit pop. Becca and I found this in the Aimee Kestenberg bum bags. It fit all of my daily essentials: phone, lip gloss, ID, gum, tampons, extra socks. The high quality buckle and strap were never in danger of popping open. I was stopped several times to ask where it was from–no one had anything like it at the festival. I unexpectedly wore it with all three looks at the festival. If you want to cary more, I also recommend a small backpack, another hands-free option. Aimee Kestenberg also carries a line of backpacks I’m looking at for the summer.
A Bandana
I have to keep it real, I didn’t really appreciate the bandana until Coachella. Bandanas are frequent accessories at festivals. They are so incredibly useful for a couple reasons. For starters, the wind and dry dust really make for a mess in your nose, ears and eyes. If you don’t properly cover your mouth, you can wind up coughing yourself to sleep. Other outdoor festivals can create similar windy circumstances. Also, if it’s hot, which it almost always is, then you can wet your bandana at a later station and drape it back over your neck. Keeping your body temperature down is so important, however you can make it happen. Get a dozen in different colors for you and your friends.
A Big Breakfast
This might sound silly, but it’s great advice I feel strongly about sharing. It’s saved the day so many times. Having a big breakfast is the best way to take care of your body for the day at a music festival. Either head into restaurant or if you’re camping, bring the goods to cook up a big breakfast each day at your campsite. You want to spend as much time seeing music, experiencing art and enjoying your friends. You don’t want to spend your time or money waiting in lines for food at the festival. While there is always good food to try at festivals, don’t make it the main event. By eating a big breakfast before Coachella each day, we were able to just eat at one food truck for dinner. Bolstered by a few bags of nuts, we were golden and never hangry or fatigued.
Comfortable Shoes
I didn’t get to check how much I walked this year at Coachella. I know at other festivals I had clocked 30,000+ steps a day. Your feet are your greatest asset. They help you dance. They get you from show to show. They hold your body up even when your mind is saying “Go to Sleep.” You want shoes that are comfortable, breathable, and cover your toes. They should be an afterthought, not a source of pain or distraction. This year, I brought my new Converse Platform Sneakers. I tested them out before I came. I also threw my espadrilles in my bag. After realizing how hot it was at the festival, I’m glad I had these for day 2 and 3. They’re not high fashion, but I felt like I had nothing on my feet.
Practical Bottoms
Festivals are dirty. I’ve made my mistakes. I recommend shorts and long skirts. If you want to wear a short skirt or short dress, pair them with bathing suit bottoms or running shorts underneath. I have some high waisted bathing suit bottoms underneath of this short-skirt look above. You want to be able to comfortably take a seat on the ground anywhere and drop it low if the song calls for it.
Water Water Water
This is the most simple advice, but frequently not taken. I always spend my mornings before a festival drinking way more water than usual. I also bring some along on the ride or walk to the festival. Chug as much as you can beforehand. For the same reason I suggest eating a big breakfast, it ensures that you don’t have to worry as much through the day. But, also have someone in your crew bring a hydration pack (I loved my friend’s Vibedration pack they’re funky and cool) or invest in a good, leak-proof water bottle you can throw in your back pack or link onto your bag. All festivals have water filling stations to keep you hydrated. Take advantage of them, especially if you are drinking or taking part in any other substances. Water will prevent the headaches the day of and the following day.
A Plan
As much time, money, and thought as you put into getting to the festival, planning your outfits, stocking your food, and group chatting with your friends, you should also spend time creating a schedule for yourself. I’ve been to festivals without a plan and wound up not seeing the artists or experiences I wanted to. At Coachella, my crew really worked together to create a schedule every day. We talked about what was important to see and what was okay not to see if things got difficult. We all stayed committed to making sure everyone saw the artists most important to each other. Sometimes that meant walking really fast across the polo field to see Lizzo or leaving a show early to get a good spot at Tame Impala. We also made time to find both of the hidden bars at Coachella and dip into all of the nooks and crannies the festival hides. We saw it all, truly. I’m so impressed with our commitment to have fun and get the most out of our experience.
