A dust storm tore through the Empire Polo Club grounds during the Coachella festival last weekend. (Luke Ramseth/Staff)
As a festival newbie there were plenty of things I learned the hard way at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival last weekend. I happen to know I wasn’t the only one.
Here’s your short-ish survival guide — or simply a few friendly reminders — if you’re headed out to the Empire Polo Club for Coachella this weekend or the Stagecoach Country Music Festival next weekend.
1. Dress crazy, pack light — but be prepared.
There’s a balance to be struck somewhere between lugging a big backpack around all weekend and still having enough layers to keep yourself warm during a 40 mph dust storm, like the one that rolled through Indio on Saturday.
While a thick hoodie or jacket is probably overkill, you’d be keen to tuck a couple light, long sleeve shirts into a small bag. Obviously toss a little tube of sunscreen in there, too.
Press-Enterprise entertainment editor Vanessa Franko offered numerous times to give me one of her bandannas to cover my face. “Nah, I’m fine,” I kept stubbornly saying, as dust seeped into my nostrils, mouth, and most definitely into my lungs.
I also saw plenty of people with throwaway dust masks you buy at the hardware store, which probably work even better than a bandanna. Either way, cover up your face if the wind picks up — or else get ready for a cough and a runny nose.
2. Bring cash, and lots of it.
Nobody said Coachella was a bargain — you already paid that $375 entry fee, for gosh sakes — but I promise there’ll still be sticker shock when you sidle up to a food tent for your first meal. And if you’re out to try some of those healthier pop-up tent restaurants that are new this year, well, those cost even more.
I spent $98 on food and drink, and that was holding back. It could’ve easily doubled if I’d had a few more beers (it’s $9 for Heineken, $10 for a variety of craft brews), or really filled up for each meal.
Also, bring cash from outside the festival so you don’t have to stand in line or pay the hefty fees to use one of the ATMs onsite.
3. Planning ahead is key.
This kind of goes against the whole go-wild festival vibe, but you’d be savvy to slow down and do some planning now and again throughout the weekend.
It starts with the dirt parking lots, which are gigantic. Take a few mental notes of what lot you’re in (1A, 1B, etc.), and any landmarks (fences, light poles) you might be parked near. You could also drop a pin on Google Maps to show where your car is, as I overheard one group doing.
As much as you likely want to let loose and wing it once you’re inside, it’s crucial to know exactly what bands you want to see, and what time they’re on. Handy little pocket-friendly programs are available at several kiosks on the festival grounds. They have all the set times, info on the art displays, and some of the food items for sale.
Then, once you know the times, factor in how popular the group is. Want to be front and center for OutKast, or Pharrell? Get there at least 30 minutes early. If you want to be in the front row for The Dismemberment Plan, on the other hand, you can probably show up just about any time you like.
What’d I miss? Email me, lramseth@pe.com, or follow me on Twitter, @lramseth. I’ll be back in Indio for my first Stagecoach, next weekend.