The world’s most famous music (and fashion) rendez vous is back. As usual, the Coachella festival takes place over two weekends, from April 12th to 14th and from April 19th to 21st, 2024, with an identical lineup.
Last year, approximately 500,000 attendees made their way to Indio, California, to witness performances by the most popular musical artists of the moment.
For its 25th anniversary, the event organized by Paul Tollet with the ambition to rival the British Glastonbury festival once again presents an impressive lineup. Over a hundred international groups and artists are set to take the stage for this edition, ranging from rock to pop, and of course, including electro and rap.
Surprise Appearances
On Friday, April 12th, attendees had the chance on the first day of the festival to listen to the smooth voice of Lana Del Rey, who notably brought onstage the idol of Generation Z, Billie Eilish, to perform “Video Games” and “Ocean Eyes.”
@banhitnguquen literally the best songs they couldve dueted with my alt queens. Lana Del Rey was joined by Billie Eilish to perform “Ocean Eyes” live at Coachella 2024 #Coachella #LanaDelRey #BillieEilish #OceanEyes #nhachaymoingay #tiktokgiaitri #viral #fyp #xuhuong ♬ Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish
An unexpected first appearance that set the tone for the rest of the weekend. Colombian singer Shakira also made a trip to the desert. The star surprised the audience attending the set of Argentine DJ Bizarrap by showing up with a microphone in hand and a fiery-colored mini-dress. The She Wolf performer took the opportunity to announce a world tour later in the year.
Another highlight on Saturday evening was when No Doubt brought pop artist Olivia Rodrigo onstage. While Gwen Stefani‘s band hadn’t performed since 2015, the 21-year-old singer joined them to perform the hit song “Bathwater.”
French Presence at Coachella
Among the numerous guest stars, monumental decorations, and of course, the extravagant outfits worn by both artists and festival-goers, this first part of Coachella once again had all the elements of an American show.
However, France is also in the spotlight thanks to various French personalities featured in the festival lineup. Between groups like Justice or L’Impératrice, artists such as Gesaffelstein and Folamour, or the very famous DJ Snake, the French touch has managed to carve out a place even in the desert.
For the group Justice, their performance on April 12th could be seen as a pilgrimage. The duo composed of Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé had performed their very first live show at Coachella in 2007. In a setting with visible cables and towering Marshall speakers, the French duo introduced their song D.A.N.C.E., which later became a global hit, to the many festival-goers present.
Following this highly successful first performance, Justice performed again at the 2008, 2012, and 2017 editions of the Californian festival. Although the group can now consider themselves regulars at the event, the stress is still palpable when it comes to presenting their latest compositions.
Their new album, Hyperdrama, will be released on April 26th. Thus, it was the Coachella attendees who had the pleasure of discovering the unreleased tracks in advance. Among the artists they collaborated with on this project are Kevin Parker from the psychedelic sound group Tame Impala, singer Thundercat, or the duo The Flints.
Meanwhile, DJ Snake and Lyon-based artist Gesaffelstein also made their return to the Californian stage they had frequented before.
The same goes for the pop group L’Impératrice, which had already performed at the 2022 edition. The French were then acclaimed by both the audience and the American press, with Paul Tollett even describing their concert as “the biggest surprise of the festival.”
A Festival Spot at the Price of a Golden Ticket
This enticing lineup obviously comes at a price. It costs around 600 euros for a three-day pass to the festival. In addition to this, there are shuttle or taxi fees to get to Coachella daily, the cost of accommodation, and of course, the cost of dining on-site.
In 2023, a TikTok video by a festival-goer denouncing the cost of food and drinks went viral. For two coffees and two burritos, the young woman explained that she had spent 64 dollars…
@jackietantithe shittiest part of coachella 🙃😵💫♬ original sound – jackie tanti
Fortunately, there is a solution for those who wish to attend the concerts of their favorite artists without breaking the bank. For the second consecutive year, YouTube allows viewers to watch live performances from the various stages and “tents” of Coachella.
And for true enthusiasts who are afraid of missing out on a highlight, the platform offers a “multiview” system that allows virtual festival-goers to watch several concerts simultaneously. Replays of performances are also available until the live stream resumes the following day. A way to enjoy the best of music without leaving home.
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