Coachella, so you will live the festival of your life
1. A BIT OF LOGISTICS
The festival that brings together more fashion bloggers per square meter it is two hours from Los Angeles, east of Palm Springs. As we assume that you will have landed in LA (it is quite cheaper than doing it in PS), you have several options to get to the Coachella desert :
RENT A CAR: (Companies like Avis and Budget make special discounts for the event). The bad? You're going to have to look for parking -and, let's not kid ourselves: it's quite difficult to find it without going around a hundred thousand times). Also, remember that drinking and driving are usually not a good combination, so someone will have to miss the party to transport you. not cool
GET A BUS OR SHUTTLE: There are those that leave directly from the airport and take you to the same entrance gate of the festival (or almost). The hotels, aware of what is going to get involved, also provide transport for their guests. And let's not lose sight of another point in its favor: You can start the party on the ride!
SHARE THE CAR: At least you won't be the one driving. You can search for your fellow travelers here.
CAB: It's going to be expensive. We do not recommend it. But if you still prefer it, these are the companies that the festival authorizes: American Cab (760-322-4444) ; Yellow Cab of The Desert (760-340-8294) ;Desert City Cab (760-328-3000)
The art of the festival selfie
two. VALUE: AND WHERE DO WE SLEEP?
Sleeping is probably the least of your worries given the prospect of three scenarios with some of the coolest bands on the planet, BUT dude, you're still human for these two weekends too and that requires you to hit REM sleep to keep you alive. How to do it?
In the area that the festival has designated for it: We hope that you already have your spot reserved because, oh my God, there is not a single space left, not even in the car + shop pitches (maybe in the VIP area, probably the coolest on planet Earth?) Anyway, that It means that you won't be able to enjoy the many activities they promote (although, let's face it, you won't have a body for everything), wonders/nightmares of the 21st century such as mobile charging stations, free shuttles to go to the supermarket and, above all, all (we love this) of their organic food market grown by local farmers!
Outside the festival area: There are nearby campsites where you may be able to scratch a small plot, and, if there are many of you, you can try options like this honeycomb roll tent to make the most of the space (and have lots of photos taken). You have all the options here.
In a hotel: We went from the crazy party of the campsites (and its noise, its dust, its bugs, its heat, its cold) to sleeping in a well-made bed every day. We can't say we don't approve of this idea (what we wouldn't have given for clean sheets in the middle of certain festivals), but if you haven't booked already, you're in for a treat. Come on, it is to put it in some way. It will actually be really expensive for you.
Other options: Rent a house with VRBO or Homeaway; Get an Airbnb or try Coachsurfing.
Who wants to sleep when they can LIVE?
3. WHAT DO I TAKE?
CLOTHES THAT SHOUT TO THE WORLD HOW COOL YOU ARE
Obviously, take the coolest outfits that you have in the closet is a MUST. Coachella is one of the few moments in which the real and the virtual come together, in this case, in order to exalt the new idols of the trendy. Last year they were two 16 year old girls s who tasted the honeys of worship throughout the internet. This could be you.
TIP #1: Get inspired by the style of Amy Soderlind , Sarah Loven , Corina Alulquoy or the sisters behind Spell Designs . They are assiduous, and they have experience: They live in Coachella style all year long!
TIP #2 : Don't you have anything cool enough? Don't worry, within the festival itself there are pop up stores where to get the perfect combination of boho, glitter and extravagance. Oh, and H&M has released an ad hoc collection.
TIP #3: It's a desert. It is VERY hot during the day and VERY cold at night. This, which might seem like a drag at first, makes sense when you realize that it gives you the opportunity to wear many more outfits! Be sure to pack light clothing for the sun, a few layers to cover up at night (don't miss the cardigan!), extra socks (it can rain) , raincoat, comfortable shoes (and not too hot, if possible), hat (there is only one rule here: don't make life impossible for the person next to you!), sunglasses, sunscreen, cocoa for the lips, a bandana to protect you from dust that can be raised (you can even wear it over your mouth) and a clock (so you don't lose battery by looking at what time your favorite concert starts!)
Actually, wearing plumes is frowned upon (because of respect for indigenous culture and such)
USEFUL GADGETS FOR YOUR SURVIVAL
Water: It's worth two dollars inside, so we advise you to bring an empty bottle (not metal -remember the heat-). Inside there are areas to fill it. You can comfortably carry it with a camelback.
Cash: There are ATMs, but do you really want to queue? And that they charge you a crazy commission?
Portable mobile charger: There are also those that recharge from the sun!
Finite towel: In case you want to sit on the floor safely for your wonderful outfit
mosquito cream
Ear plugs
plasters
Tissues and/or wet wipes + disinfectant soap: This year they have put real toilets! But, you know... still.
Eye drops and antihistamines: Especially if you are allergic to dust!
Rest from time to time is also necessary
Four. HOW TO STAY ON TOP?
FOOD AND DRINK: It is already clear that you have to sleep to stay sane, now we go with other basics that we usually forget about when we are in party hard mode:
Eat three times a day: It seems obvious, right? Ok, so now think of all the times you've had BREAKFAST at a festival... Yes, they're not that many (around here we don't remember anyone who has ever done it) . At Coachella it is very hot, which will require you to make an effort to eat food, so try to keep it light to make it more bearable (carry pieces of fruit in your backpack!) If it is very difficult for you to make sure you eat all the necessary nutrients, grab some energy bars.
Eat the best you can: And it may sound strange to you that this happens, but in Coachella it is easy: they have many quality options (and a lot of vegetarian food). Check all the possibilities they offer you here. Of course, you also have the typical festival party: Spicy Pie Pizza for seven dollars a piece, churros for five, burritos for eight, In-N-Out burgers for ten... Remember that the tip you leave must represent the 15% of everything you buy!
Don't get dehydrated! : Dehydration is not cool: if you pass out or have a headache, you run the risk of missing your favorite group. This time is multiplied exponentially if you have to go to a health center, so avoid it in a very simple way: by drinking water! Even the bands will remind you from the stage!
Choose beer: The rest of the alcohols are much more expensive, and also, they do not come in large quantities (rather the opposite).
Stay fit so you don't miss a thing
ATTITUDE:
Do not waste your time: Agree on a meeting point with your friends and you are not changing it every two times three (do not count on battery, internet or coverage, and try to remember how you survived in the 90s); remember that the place is very big, so if you have an hour left, leave well in advance (the distribution of the scenarios makes the figure of a letter L, and on average, the distance between each one is six to eight minutes walking) .
Go ahead: Do you want to buy festival merchandising? Do it the first day. Want to be front row (and see a bunch of great up-and-coming bands along the way? Arrive at 11am. Want to ride the iconic Ferris wheel? Sneak away between top gigs.
Trust: It is true that many personal items are constantly lost at a festival, but put your name and your phone number or that of a friend who is accompanying you, and you will see how karma returns it to you in the form of a good samaritan.
Discover life beyond the sets: It comes in the form of exhibitions and installations of contemporary art, parties (watch out for Neon, H&M, Lacoste...), stylish lounges, stunning scenery (the Coachella Valley is a hot spot for any instagrammer even without concerts) and novelties such as the virtual reality glasses of the festival and the headphones that will change the way you understand music.
Do not be obsessed with seeing celebrities : Probably, you will end up crossing with some anyway. To those that we have already mentioned, there will probably be trillions of fashion bloggers, actresses and singers (Kristen Stewart, Miley Cyrus and Vanessa Hudgens are often seen), models and people "from the scene" like Alessandra Ambrosio, Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid , the Jenner sisters or Rosie Huntington. The natural thing is to act as if nothing happened.
Have fun!: Dance as if the world were ending, stop to talk to people, let yourself go, have the most intense conversations at five in the morning, hug your friends... Feel the good vibes of a unique festival in the world - it could only happen in California! - and celebrate!
Save battery to photograph THIS
You HAVE to ride!
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Tell me how you are and I will tell you which European festival you should go to
- Europe with a bracelet: route of music festivals - How to behave in a music festival - Music and landscape, the keys to the definitive festival - Tricks to enjoy the Edinburgh International Festival
- Festivals without music: from urban art to literature