Why were there urinal cakes in the women’s portapotties at Coachella? It’s a mystery, but at least they improved the smell. (Nikie Johnson/Staff photo)
No, there is not a band at Coachella called The Portapotties. This is actually a review of the places that the lovely people at Goldenvoice have set up for us to empty our bladders in.
I felt I was very qualified for such a review. I mean, we all go to the bathroom. But I’ve been in a wide variety of johns in my life. I camp and hike a lot. I’ve been to my fair share of music festivals and public happenings. And I’ve traveled in several foreign countries, some of whose bathroom standards are not up to the United States’.
In all, I am very impressed with the kybos at Coachella. This year — intending to write this blog — I visited them in as wide a variety of places and times as I could, and with one exception was never grossed out.
My admiration of the Coachella loos goes back several years, when I encountered one with a urinal in addition to a toilet. This brilliant invention is now not so uncommon, but Coachella was the first place I saw one.
The cleaner-than-average Coachella portapotties are definitely thanks to the staff who work them. Every time I’ve visited, someone has been in there cleaning out trash, keeping the toilet paper stocked and keeping the premises clean. (Tip: Look for whoever is cleaning and go into one they’ve just hit up. And thank them for their work.)
New this year — I think? — each bathroom area has a row for men and a separate one for women. And there are staffers set up to prevent people from going in the wrong one. As a woman, I have to say I love this development.
Of course, I can only speak for the quality of the women’s water closets. But as my colleague Charlotte Bray noted, she’s seen more guys peeing against a fence this weekend than at any festival she can remember, so their bathrooms are probably pristine.
UPDATE: I’ve gotten some intel that the men’s portapotties may not have been so pristine. May have been bordering on vile by Sunday night. Apparently the cleanup staff does a better job in the women’s area.