Events

What are some good tips for Coachella?

Ah, Coachella… Spending time with old friends, watching your favorite bands, relaxing and partying in Palm Springs. It doesn’t get any better than this!

But a weekend in the Desert can quickly be ruined if you’re not prepared for three days of partying in 100+ degree weather. Take it slowly, remain close to your pals, and be safe. Here are 20 Coachella ideas to help you get through the weekend:

20 must-know Coachella tips and tricks

  1. Water, Agua, H20!
    This is the most crucial Coachella advice! Many Coachella rookies are so excited for their first weekend of Coachella that they forget to drink water! This is especially harmful when dance, drugs, and the sun are combined. A decent rule of thumb is to consume one water bottle every two hours.
  2. Wear Sun block
    Coachella is so much fun because of the sunlight and nice temperature. But too many of my friends had a good day 1 turn into an awful day 2 and 3 because of a bad sunburn. Learned lesson: lather up! SPF 50 sunscreen is suggested.
  3. Comfortable shoes and clothes
    Many people forget this simple fact: you will be on your feet for at least 13 hours a day during the Coachella weekend. Trendy and fashionable shoes may seem like a cool idea for the first hour or so, but by the time it’s midnight you will wish you had worn something more practical. Moreover, many people overlook the fact that deserts may become quite chilly at night. Always pack something warm to wear at night.
  4. Take a photo of your contact information
    If you want to bring a digital camera, take a picture of your name and phone number. If someone discovers your camera and looks over your pictures, they’ll know who to call. Coachella seems to be one of the only locations where everyone is friendly. Over the years at Coachella, I’ve lost my debit card, cell phone, ID and car keys. Everything was returned to the lost and found!
  5. Buy merchandise on the first day
    The Coachella merchandise tent turns into a zoo every night as all the festival goers are heading for the exits. The key here is to acquire your merchandise early on the first day.
  6. Make a physical meeting place for yourself and your pals.
    “The ferris wheel ticket booth”, “back left corner of the Mojave tent” and the “entrance to the Heineken beer garden” are all examples of unique physical spots that you can meet your friends should you get separated. See also tip #7.
  7. Text affirmative statements
    Cell phone reception at Coachella is spotty at best because rural Indio’s cell tower infrastructure was not designed to handle 85,000 cell phones in such a small area. Thus, never text a buddy “where are you?” since it might take hours for them to get it. And your plans may have altered by the time you get an answer. Instead, send something positive like “meet at the merch tent at 8:00pm.”
  8. Bring a small flashlight
    A little flashlight is not only necessary for Coachella campers, but it is also highly important during the event. Coachella veterans understand how simple it is to lose track of your companions when wandering through the throng at night. If you have a flashlight (preferably one that blinks) the leader of your group can hold it up while walking through the crowds so that the rest of the group won’t lose site of him/her.
  9. Beware the beer garden
    Use this Coachella trick if you’re wanting to save money! Consuming a lot of booze and being outside in 100 degree temps do not mix. Keep the boozin’ going till the sun goes down. Plus, the $8 beers don’t feel too good on the wallet.
  10. Bring a positive attitude
    Everyone comes to Coachella to see their favorite bands and to have a good time. As a result, everyone is in a good mood (perhaps the best mood they’ll have all year). Don’t bring bad feelings and disrupt other people’s fun. Consider the other festivalgoers and avoid being selfish. Don’t block other people’s view of the stage with a sign or your girlfriend on your shoulders. Don’t try to force your way to the front of the stage. Get there early if you want to see your favorite band up close!
  11. Bring Earplugs
    The music is REALLY LOUD! Particularly if you’re sitting on the first row of the mainstage. After All, that ringing in your ear after the festival is permanent hearing damage. If you want to be able to enjoy the music 30 years from now, you MUST wear ear protection at Coachella (and all other concerts).
  12. Bring porta-pottie necessities
    The Coachella porta-potties are known for being filthy and stinky. Walking inside a little human waste container that has been roasting in 100°+ heat all day is a strange sensation. If you’re camping, be sure to bring extra seat covers (grab some from a local fast food restaurant on your way out to the festival), toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer.
  13. Be prepared for allergic reactions
    Carry antihistamines since the dry dust and grass on the event grounds affects most people’s eyes and throats.
  14. Save your cell phone battery
    It’s really inconvenient to loose your group of pals just to learn your phone is dead. The event grounds do not have any charging points (but there are some at the campgrounds). Thus, switch off your WiFi, Bluetooth, and data, then shut any background programs on your iPhone. When at the event, you don’t need any of these battery-draining functions. Enjoy the music instead of spending all day instagramming the ferris wheel. Get a Mophie battery back if you truly want to be sure you’ll have power.
  15. Put medication in original bottle
    Unless you want your allergy medicine to be mistaken for illegal drugs and thus confiscated by security, be sure to keep your meds in the prescription bottle. Worse, you’re apprehended by cops for attempting to carry narcotics into the event.
  16. Leave for the festival early every morning
    If you’re staying at a hotel or condominium, as oppose to camping, make sure to leave for the festival very early. Around the Polo Grounds, traffic may get quite congested.
  17. Rent a locker
    Non-campers should think about hiring a locker (use this site to book a locker). It’s a good idea to keep a warm sweater, or even jeans, in your locker so that you can be prepared for the cold desert nights. The locker is also a fantastic spot to keep any beverages you’ve sneaked into the festival grounds.
  18. Remember it takes time to get from stage to stage
    If there’s a band you really want to see, make sure you leave early to get there. When it’s packed, the walk between the Sahara tent and the mainstage might take up to 30 minutes.
  19. Print out the setlist 
    The festival personnel does distribute fixed time brochures, but they do not spend time hunting for one. Before you come, print out the set timings and underline the performers you wish to watch. Creating a plan is the greatest approach to make the most of your time.
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