DIGITAL JOURNALIST
Use #PECoachella to be included in our ongoing coverage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (2013/File Photo)
As we go through the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, we’ll be sharing photos, videos and insights not just from our staff on the ground, but also our readers. If you want to be included, use the hashtag #PECoachella on Instagram or Facebook.
Motorhead will melt your face off at Coachella. Of course, with the heat, it might already be melted. (Contributed Image)
For those about to rock at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, we salute you. Stay tuned to our coverage all weekend long at http://x.pe.com/coachellahome. If you’re headed out to the festival, be sure to use #PECoachella on Twitter and Instagram to share your photos with us.
Queens of the Stone Age
Lead singer Joshua Homme started QOTSA grew up a few miles down the road from the Coachella site, in Palm Desert. The band has often been described as desert rock. Hear how it sounds in its natural environment at Coachella. Plus, with Homme’s long list of collaborators, you never know what guest stars might show—we’re looking at you, Dave Grohl. (9:40-10:35 p.m. Saturday, Coachella Stage)
Motörhead
In that 1990s Brendan Fraser/Adam Sandler/Steve Buscemi rock ‘n’ roll comedy “Airheads,” it is proclaimed that “Lemmy is God.” The rock fans will be out to bow before Motörhead leader Lemmy Kilmister. Watch out for your leather, it gets hot out there. (9:50-10:50 p.m. Sunday, Mojave Tent)
The Cult
The Cult was was one of the best rock bands of the 1980s and is criminally underrated. You know the songs “Fire Woman” and “She Sells Sanctuary,” but singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy are incredible performers, too. (10:40-11:30 p.m. Friday, Mojave Tent)
Graveyard
This Swedish hard rock band was described by Rolling Stone as “somewhere between Slayer and Howlin’ Wolf.” That’s all you need to know. (2:05-2:50 p.m. Saturday, Coachella Stage)
RELATED: Get to know about more great artists with our Coachella map.
J. Roddy Walston and the Business
Originally from Tennessee, J. Roddy Walston and the Business are known for intense live shows. If you wish My Morning Jacket got heavier but less progressive, you’ll dig this group. (12:50-1:25 p.m. Sunday, Outdoor Theatre)
The Bots
The Bots are like a post-punk Japandroids meets Bad Brains. There’s a lot of energy and noise and awesome here. (11:40 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Friday, Outdoor Theatre)
Unlocking the Truth
These three junior high students play hard rock and heavy metal. And they’re awesome. (1-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Coachella Stage)
Uber, the popular app-oriented ridesharing service, announced plans to begin offering a full line of services in the Palm Springs area, beginning with the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend.
Using their smartphones users can find a personal driver nearby, rather than hailing a traditional taxi. The service is now available in dozens of cities around the world. The company said the price of its UberX service would be 25 percent less than a taxi.
Residents have been able to catch an Uber ride in Palm Springs for several months, but the official launch marks some higher-end services like UberBlack, UberSUV and even UberStretch, allowing users to hail a ride in a limousine via their smartphones between April 11 and 28.
The company will have a lounge at Coachella, at Lot 1C, where they can request a pickup ride.
The Palm Springs website also shows flat rates from Los Angeles to Palm Springs ($149), from San Diego to Palm Springs ($199) and from Orange County ($129).
The set times are out for the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and there are two surprises in them. Julian Casblancas and the Pixies have been added to the lineup.
What are your conflicts?
Friday set times (Click to enlarge)
Set times for Friday, April 11 at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (Coachella/Contributed Image)
Saturday set times (Click to enlarge)
Set times for Saturday, April 12 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (Coachella/Contributed Image)
Sunday set times (Click to enlarge)
Set times for Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. (Coachella/Contributed Image)
Remember to scout out the artists of Coachella 2014 with our interactive map.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. For more Coachella news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Coachella page.
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.
The crowd cheers for the Rapture at the Mojave tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 13, 2012. (File Photo)
Bummed that you didn’t get tickets in time for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival? Even though the 15th edition of the festival has sold out both weekends (April 11-13 and April 18-20) at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, there are still a few ways to get in.
1. Purchase a pass with an “Outstanding in the Field” dinner
While general passes and VIP passes for Coachella are sold out, you can still get in with an official ticket if you’re willing to pony up a little bit of extra cash. Unlike a scalper, the extra cash nets you something in return–a fancy dinner.
“Outstanding in the Field” is a restaurant without walls with some famous chefs that will be doing two seatings each day during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the exclusive Rose Garden.
Weekend one is already sold out, but you can still purchase passes (and get the dinner) for weekend two. A GA pass with dinner is $600 and a VIP Pass is $1024. That only gets you dinner for one day, at one of the seatings (5:30 or 7:30 p.m.).
For information and tickets, visit http://coachella-weekend2.frontgatetickets.com.
2. Purchase a pass on the secondary market
The only foolproof way to get a ticket is if you know it’s official. Since Coachella is sold out, it’s hard to verify if a secondary market ticket is legit. My tip is to seek help via your personal social network. Post a status update on Facebook and let your friends know you’re looking for a ticket for weekend 1 or 2 and let them know what you’re willing to pay. Chances are that if you’re in Southern California, a friend of a friend may have your hookup and it’s far less risky than a random person on Craigslist.
Also, if you have deep pockets, Pharrell is auctioning two weekend 2 VIP passes and a meet and greet with him on Ebay.
Other services, like StubHub and SeatGeek, allow people to purchase passes on the secondary market–but often for a high markup. Check into the customer service policies of the ticket broker BEFORE you buy. Some offer a guarantee if the ticket turns out to be fake.
If anyone is trying to sell you a paper ticket, it’s bogus. Coachella only uses wristbands.
Tip: Weekend two tickets traditionally sell for less on the secondary market than weekend one passes. As of Sunday, April 6, 2014, the cheapest weekend 1 pass on StubHub was a general admission pass for $850. For weekend 2: $387.
Festival goers decorate their cars celebrating the Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival. Winners could get passes to future years. (2013/File Photo)
3. Win a contest
Local radio stations have been giving away tickets for Coachella, including KROQ, but do some Internet searching to see if you can find any other ways to win. If you already have a ticket for this year’s festival, decorate your car and try to win some Carpoolchella passes.
4. Celebrate Couch-ella
There’s probably something to be said about enjoying Coachella in your pajamas and not having to undergo a body cavity search when entering. This year, both weekends of the festival will be filmed and broadcast. Weekend 1 will be all over YouTube and 20 hours of Weekend 2 will be aired on AXS TV.
Even if you’re not headed to Coachella 2014, just yet, scout out the artists with our interactive map.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. For more Coachella news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Coachella page.
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.
A beach towel, sunscreen, earplugs, hand sanitizer, comfortable shoes and the multi-purpose bandana are on a must-pack list for the Coachella Festival. (Vanessa Franko/Staff)
Headed to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio April 11-13 or April 18-20? Want to know what you really need to have with you? I’ve been going to Coachella and Stagecoach since 2007. These are the essentials I take with me every day. Do you have other must-have items on your list? Share them in the comments section below.
1. Shoes
If you are truly headed to Coachella for the music, comfortable shoes are a must. I don’t care how cute those heels are, if you actually plan to walk around the field, you will sink in the grass. Some people swear by flip-flops, but you can’t go wrong with sturdy sneakers with good support.
Pro tip: If you are planning to run around the different stages from the time the gates open until the last note is heard, a nice splurge is investing in some gel insoles.
2. Beach towel
Coachella allows you to bring a small beach towel inside the fest. It’s great for when you want to sit on the grass at the Outdoor Theatre stage at night and look up at the stars without having to worry if you just sat down in remnants of someone’s slice of pizza from the I Love Spicy Pie booth.
Pro tip: Roll up the towel and throw it in the bottom of a medium-sized backpack to maximize space if you plan on picking up a lot of records and souvenirs.
3. Water
Coachella allows you to bring in some empty water containers (yes on an empty plastic bottle, no on metal) and as always, water is only $2 per bottle, and there are 16 free refilling stations around the field. The reason why? Dehydration is serious business. You’re in a desert. Coachella doesn’t want you to die.
Pro tip: Get free, cold water when you find 10 empty bottles and exchange them for one cold fresh one.
Another pro tip: Keep a bottle of water in your car if you’re driving each day. After the long hike back to the parking lots, you will want it.
4. Hand sanitizer
After sitting on the ground for a while and deciding you want to get some food, trust us, you’ll want some. Hit the travel aisle at a drug store to get a small bottle for $1 or less.
5. Cash
There are ATMs on site (and the Coachella boutique, record store and merch tent have traditionally taken cards), but most of the vendors take cash only. After raging in the Sahara Tent and deciding you need a Red Bull, you won’t want to find an ATM and wait in line to get cash (and pay fees) before you go right back at it.
6. Sunscreen
The Empire Polo Club is full of wide open spaces where you can soak up the sunshine. You don’t want to be lobsterman by Sunday. Bring sunscreen. I recommend 30 SPF because the sun is intense. Sunglasses and hat are also clutch.
7. Earplugs
If you are going to post up in front of the main stage when gates open just to get a great spot for OutKast’s Friday night headlining set, you will want to be able to hear them by the time they come on.
Pro tip: Buy a 10-pack of the soft, disposable earplugs at a drug store and bring a couple of pairs with you each day. If they fall on the ground or get dirty–and they will– throw them away.
8. Bandana
The bandana may be the best multi-purpose tool you can have with you at Coachella. You can wear it on top of your head to protect it from getting sunburned. If it gets too hot, you can put water on it and put it on the back of your neck to help cool you down. And, if we get a gnarly sandstorm like we did in 2013, you will want it as a cover for your face.
9. Phone charger
There are charging stations around the fest. Bring your charger. Nobody wants to lend you theirs. Trust me.
Pro tip: Make sure you don’t have extraneous apps running to maximize battery life. Also, keep the screen as dark as you can–a bright screen burns through the battery. Also, give yourself a boost at one of the charging stations early in the day, even if your phone is still doing fairly well–it will become packed in the evening.
10. Sweater
Even though the temperatures at Coachella can reach triple-digits during the day, once the sun goes down behind the Santa Rosa Mountains, the cool night can turn downright chilly, especially if you’re in it for the long haul. Bring a sweater.
Pro tip: If you’re planning on getting merch from the fest, do it on the first day. Popular items will sell out by the end of the festival. If you’re looking for something from a specific artist–the artists playing that day have their gear at the main merch table for that day only. (This doesn’t apply to the record store).
11. Bandages
The travel aisle of a drug store is an amazing place. Spend the $1 and get a small package of bandages that will easily fit into a pocket or backpack. If you ignored tip number 1 about the shoes, you will want one to cover the blisters you might get.
If you plan ahead, you can pick up most of these items at a drug store en route without getting weighed down. What do you bring with you to Coachella?
If you want the full list of what is and is not allowed, check the Coachella site.
Also, if you’re headed to Coachella 2014, don’t forget to check out our interactive artist map.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. For more Coachella news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Coachella page.
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.
Want to watch Coachella without being with 90,000 of your closest friends? The Festival will be broadcast online and on AXS TV over the two weekends. (File Photo)
If you are more into Couch-ella than the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (or you just couldn’t get tickets), you can watch the action from the popular events at the Empire Polo Club at home.
The festival announced that the first weekend of the festival (April 11-13) will be broadcast on YouTube, as it has been in recent years. The videos will also be available on demand in the weeks following the fest. You can watch at www.coachella.com and at youtube.com/Coachella
However, for the first time since adding a second weekend, the second weekend will get some love, too. AXS TV, the television channel that has broadcast the Stagecoach Country Music Festival (and will again this year), will air sets from weekend two (April 18-20). The AXS TV weekend will include 20 hours of live coverage, with artists interviews and select performance footage.
Also, if you’re headed to Coachella 2014, don’t forget to check out our interactive artist map.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. For more Coachella news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Coachella page.
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.
David Guetta, shown here performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, will appear at a special day club series of pool parties at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs. (File Photo)
UPDATE 3/27: Prices and onsale times.
When the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs had its grand opening earlier this month, Hector Moreno, the vice president and general manager of the property promised some big things in the coming weeks with festival season.
He wasn’t kidding–some of the biggest DJs in the world, including names like David Guetta, Skrillex and Tiesto, are headed to the resort to perform at a series of pool parties created by Goldenvoice’s electronic division LED.
The LED Day Club pool parties will coincide with the two weekends of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The pool parties run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 10–13 and April 17–20. You must be 21 or older to attend.
Here’s the lineup:
April 10th DIRTY SOUTH
April 11th A-TRAK
April 12th DISCLOSURE
April 13th DAVID GUETTA
April 17th SKRILLEX
April 18th MARTIN GARRIX
April 19th TIESTO
April 20th SHOWTEK
Tickets are $40 each for Dirty South, A-Trak and Showtek; $60 for Skrillex; $100 for Disclosure, David Guetta and Martin Garrix; $125 for Tiesto. Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, March 28.
I don’t have ticket information as far as on sales or prices, but I’ll update when I do. In the meantime, here are links to the club: http://leddayclub.com/ http://leddayclub.frontgatetickets.com/
Also, if you’re headed to Coachella 2014, don’t forget to check out our interactive artist map.
I’ve covered the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival since 2007. For more Coachella news, photos, interviews and information, visit the iGuide Coachella page.
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m at @vanessafranko on Twitter, the Audio File on Facebook and on Google+.
Now here’s a look at a song from Guetta’s 2012 Coachella set.
Live in the Coachella Valley? You can get tickets to the sold-out Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. (2013/File Photo)
If you’re a Coachella Valley resident and you want to get tickets to the sold-out Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival weekends (April 11-13 and April 18-20) or the Stagecoach Country Music Festival (April 25-27), you will have a chance to purchase passes online.
In recent years the popular festivals have held a limited amount of tickets for local residents to attend the events at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. You will need proof of residency to get these tickets. The ticket purchase is open to residents of zip codes from Palm Springs to Mecca and include residents of 92201, 92202, 92203, 92210, 92211, 92230, 92234, 92236, 92240, 92241, 92253, 92255, 92258, 92260, 92261 – 92264, 92270, 92274, 92275, 92276, and 92292
If you want to go to Coachella weekend 1, you can purchase them online beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, through Thursday, April 10, or while supplies last.
RELATED: Get to know the Geography of Coachella 2014 with our interactive map
For weekend two of Coachella, the tickets will be on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 11 through Thursday, April 17, or while supplies last.
If you are looking for Stagecoach tickets, local residents may purchase passes online for Stagecoach starting 10 a.m. Friday, April 18, through Thursday, April 24, or while supplies last.
For Coachella passes, visit http://www.coachella.com/residents/
For Stagecoach passes, visit http://www.stagecoachfestival.com/residents/
Passes are $375 for Coachella and $249 for Stagecoach and include all fees. Passes purchased online will be available for pick up from the box office at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Passes are non-transferable and proof of residency must be shown in the form of a California driver’s license or ID card.
Wristbands will be placed on the wrist of festival attendee(s) by the box office staff and therefore must be present for pick up. (Translation: Don’t think you can buy a pass and give it to a friend.)
Coachella 1 Resident Purchases Pick Up Hours
Wednesday, April 9: Box office 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, April 10: Box office 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, April 11: Box office 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, April 12: Box office 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, April 13: Box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Coachella 2 Resident Purchases Pick Up Hours
Wednesday, April 16: Box office 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, April 17: Box office 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, April 18: Box office 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, April 19: Box office 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, April 20: Box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Stagecoach Resident Purchases Pick up Hours:
Wednesday, April 23: Box office 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, April 24: Box office 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Friday, April 25: Box office 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday, April 26: Box office 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, April 27: Box office 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Explore our 2014 interactive Coachella Festival artist map.
During two weekends in April, more than 160 artists will descend upon the Empire Polo Club for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (set for April 11-13 and April 18-20) and they hail from around the globe.
If you want to know about the bands and the music, explore our interactive map below.
RELATED: Visit the iGuide Coachella section for the latest Coachella news, photos and information
If you select a point on the map that has a cluster of artists, such as around Los Angeles or London, you can flip through the artists by clicking the forward arrow in the top right of the pop-up that appeared with the band’s information.
There is also a zoom control function and a location search. Click the legend button on the upper left corner of the map to display the key for the genres. Note: For the best results, view in Chrome, Firefox or Safari for the best results. Internet Explorer is not supported.
Want to know how 2014 compares to previous years? Take a look at the 2013 Coachella Festival artist map. And here’s what the landscape looked like for the 2012 Coachella Festival artist map–including nearly a dozen artists from Sweden.