It’s been a very long time since we’ve been out in Indio for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Competition (three years, to be precise). Whether or not you’re a first-timer, a veteran who can inform the tales of the Daft Punk pyramid or somebody who simply celebrates Couchella (aka watching the Coachella livestream out of your sofa), we’ve compiled a useful information to what that you must know concerning the pageant. (And we’ll replace these solutions as we get extra data, too!)
When you’re right here, don’t overlook to join our free e-newsletter Competition Go, the place we’ll have one of the best of Coachella and a lot extra as we head into the 2022 pageant SZN.
You’ll get our dispatches from our workforce out on the sphere at Coachella and the Stagecoach Nation Music Competition, so observe alongside!
Word: This Q&A full of knowledge and a good bit of snark is written by Vanessa Franko, one among our editors who has lined each Coachella since 2007. Produce other questions she didn’t reply? Electronic mail her at vfranko@scng.com or hit her up on Twitter throughout the pageant at @vanessafranko.
When is the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Competition?
Coachella Weekend 1 is occurring April 15-17. Coachella Weekend 2 is occurring April 22-24.
The place does Coachella occur?
Live performance promoter Goldenvoice places on Coachella on the Empire Polo Membership in Indio, the place it has taken place since 1999. Enjoyable reality: The primary main Goldenvoice present there was a Pearl Jam present in 1993.
The situation to your maps app is 81-800 Ave. 51 in Indio, on the border of La Quinta, however many roads shut across the fest so take note of the indicators. Should you’re coming in from the ten Freeway, there can be indicators.
Regulate the Coachella web site for the maps and the parking. And be sure you take note of the place you park. You don’t wish to get towed and also you don’t wish to lose your automobile within the desert evening.
Who’s on the Coachella 2022 lineup?
Greater than 100 artists will play throughout seven levels. The headliners are Harry Kinds, Billie Eilish and the simply introduced Swedish Home Mafia x The Weeknd set since Ye (Kanye West) backed out. Different notable artists on the invoice embody Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Swedish Home Mafia, Danny Elfman (sure, he of Oingo Boingo, “The Simpsons” theme tune and “The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas” fame), Grupo Firme, Banda MS, Brockhampton (for what’s reported to be the group’s last efficiency), Karol G, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fatboy Slim and actually greater than 100 others. See the complete Coachella 2022 lineup.
Wait, wasn’t Kanye going to be there?
Yeah, however now he’s not. However we now have some concepts for who might substitute him, although!
Replace: Swedish Home Mafia and The Weeknd are teaming as much as substitute him.
How can I get tickets to Coachella?
Tickets to Coachella are offered out, however there are methods to get them.
Coachella has a ticket trade and buy program by Lyte.com. These are formally sanctioned and you may get help for them, however there are different locations on the secondary market to seek out passes.
Another sellers, like Stubhub, supply a assure, though the pageant doesn’t supply help.
Steer clear of shady sellers who're unverified.
The place ought to I keep for Coachella?
This late within the recreation, until you’re dropping a whole lot of money, you’re most likely out of luck. Motels and leases go quick. Nevertheless, you possibly can buy automobile or tent tenting, which begins at $102, earlier than charges. Should you’re bringing extra mates, you’ll have to buy a automobile tenting companion cross for $55 for every car.
What time is Harry Kinds/Billie Eilish/Purple Disco Machine enjoying Coachella? When are the Coachella set instances popping out?
Set instances are normally launched the week of the pageant. We’ll submit them once we’ve obtained them!
What number of levels does Coachella have?
In recent times, the pageant has run music seven main levels: the outside Coachella stage and Outside Theatre; open air tents the Sahara, Mojave and Gobi; the closed (and blissfully air-conditioned) tents Yuma and Sonora.
The headliners play on the Coachella stage. The Sahara historically options the most important EDM acts on the invoice, and in newer years, rap and Ok-Pop. The Yuma is extra geared towards home music and normally has a glittering shark-shaped disco ball inside. The Sonora has been a house for many of the up-and-coming rock and punk bands on the invoice.
Past the seven main levels, there’s additionally the Do Lab, an EDM oasis with water cannons, normally some aerial artists and all the time some massive shock company. (Did we ever let you know concerning the time Skrillex confirmed up?)
Different installations have additionally featured performances, just like the Heineken Home, the place Thundercat and Flying Lotus are teaming up this yr. There are additionally musical issues occurring within the campgrounds, just like the Silent Disco.
How can I watch the Coachella livestream?
You'll be able to rejoice Couchella once more this yr with the official Coachella livestream by YouTube at www.youtube.com/coachella. Pluses: A/C and cheaper meals/drinks. Cons: You’re not there; no Spicy Pie.
The stream begins at 4 p.m. April 15, which is a couple of hours after gates open and the music begins. You usually don’t see all the artists on the livestream, however many of the massive names do. There may even be a livestream for Weekend 2, however it usually is extra low key than the primary weekend.
When we now have the YouTube schedules, we’ll submit them.
Word that the livestream instances may be delayed. Again in 2016, the Weapons N’ Roses followers had been VERY sad that Silversun Pickups was nonetheless on the stream when GNR had already began in actual life. (On the brilliant facet, I made a whole lot of new worldwide GNR mates who had been very excited for my Twitter updates.)
What’s the climate like at Coachella?
Nice query. It might probably positively get into the triple digits throughout the day, however it is going to cool off into the 60s at evening. Some years are extra gentle throughout the day, like when it began drizzling in 2012.
For Weekend 1, climate.com says it’s trying like highs of higher 80s into the low-mid 90s as of April 5.
Weekend 2, if historical past is any indicator, it’s doubtless going to be inching towards or into triple digits.
Additionally, be ready for wind. It kicks up the mud.
What are the COVID-19 guidelines for Coachella?
You not should be vaccinated or present proof of a detrimental check to attend Coachella. That being stated, you’re going to be round 125,000 folks, so…
The pageant’s web site suggests sporting a face protecting to guard your self from the desert mud. That’s sound recommendation and it may possibly shield you from germs, too.
What ought to I pack for Coachella?
My musts: Comfy sneakers and socks, sun shades (however not your priceless classic ones), sunscreen (no aerosols allowed inside), masks, hand sanitizer, a hoodie for when it will get chilly at evening.
Word that there are some adjustments in what you possibly can/can’t deliver this yr.
Do you must pay for parking at Coachella?
If you would like common parking, in no way. There are some parking charges if you need upgraded parking or if you happen to’re paying to camp along with your automobile.
The place are the shuttle stops for Coachella?
Valley Music Journey is working the shuttles. You'll be able to see all the particulars on their web page.
Can I Uber/Lyft/rideshare to Coachella?
Sure, however we’ve heard horror tales about going residence for the night, so plan accordingly.
What are you able to eat at Coachella?
You'll be able to go fancy and have a $375 omakase sushi expertise (and sure, Indio continues to be within the desert), or go extra reasonably priced with a slice of pizza from Spicy Pie, a beloved pageant staple. We now have a listing of the notable food and drinks names coming to Coachella. Beware that some require you to have a VIP ticket or to buy a separate meal ticket, like Excellent within the Area.
That being stated, it’s exhausting to go unsuitable with tacos wherever you're. We wrote about all the tacos again at Coachella 2018.
This yr, each stand has to supply at the very least one plant-based possibility.
The place are you able to eat after Coachella is completed for the evening?
Pre-pandemic, quite a few eating places alongside Freeway 111 prolonged their hours throughout the Coachella weekends. There are many quick meals choices. (Our workforce is a fan of In-N-Out, particularly if somebody can go decide it up earlier than the headliner is completed.)
Who're the shock company at Coachella?
If we advised you it wouldn’t be shock now, would it not?
One I’d wish to see is Trent Reznor with Danny Elfman, although.
What’s up with the Coachella events? Is Neon Carnival occurring?
We’ve joked that you are able to do Coachella with out ever stepping onto the pageant grounds. (In actual fact, we wrote about that after.)
Neon Carnival is occurring, sure. There are additionally some cool Coachella-adjacent reveals, together with Framework’s Within the Desert and Goldenvoice’s Day Membership, which each characteristic Coachella artists.
What’s the cope with these Coachella NFTs?
Effectively, everybody going will get a free Coachella NFT and also you may get a golden ticket that will get you upgrades.
If you wish to know concerning the different ones that went on sale, we wrote about them. We additionally wrote about how a lot folks paid for the NFTs that include lifetime Coachella passes. 👀
What’s an important tip for somebody going to Coachella?
Dehydration is severe enterprise. It will get sizzling, you’re dancing, you’re having enjoyable, it may be rather a lot. Make certain you’re consuming water. There are refill stations round and you may herald an empty plastic bottle.
Oh, and after you’ve sufficiently hydrated, it’s good to learn about the true, everlasting bogs throughout from the Beer Barn.
What's the weirdest factor you’ve ever seen at Coachella?
I might write a ebook about that. Superstar sightings are all the time unusual, although. Again within the day at Coachella 2010, I noticed Danny DeVito hanging out with the forged of Yo Gabba Gabba. That was bizarre and pleasant. DJ Lance Rock with the Yo Gabba Gabba forged continues to be one of the crucial underappreciated units ever on the fest. And we used to have a pool for who would spot David Hasselhoff first.
The best factor was the time Nile Rodgers sat down with us and advised tales within the press tent.
The place can I get extra updates about Coachella and different festivals?
Why, I'm so glad you requested. We now have a free e-newsletter referred to as Competition Go all about Coachella and different music festivals in Southern California. Right here’s how one can join.
Have extra questions we didn’t reply? Electronic mail vfranko@scng.com.