I have been to Coachella several times over the years, I have lived in SoCal all my life and moved to the Coachella Valley about 14 years ago. So needless to say I have become kind of an expert on the festival, but also all the ins and out of the valley, traffic, shortcuts, best bars in town, best Mexican food for breakfast Saturday Morning, etc. etc. So this year I did something completely different. I went by myself, no groups, no friends, no girls, just me. I was incognito, walked right past people I knew with a quick hello, and then telling them "I'm late" and "Let's catch up later." as they tried to get me to stop and chat and get in on their schedule and join their plans. I just never caught with anyone. I was a rogue wanderer with no one to meet up with, no one to meet at the Sahara tent when St.Vincent is done at outdoor, no missing shows while standing around waiting on people who are lost or mesmerized by a band that caught their attention while walking by the Do-Lab. Just me, on a mission, to see a whole lot of live music and art this year.
My rule was simple, if I came upon a stage or tent, and had nothing scheduled, I would stop and listen to the band or DJ for at least 2 full songs. If I was in to the band or DJ I stayed, danced, had a great time. If I wasn't feeling them, I simply moved on to another stage or tent. This turned out to be an amazing plan, I saw so many bands that I have never seen or heard of it made the down time between the bands I had on my schedule more fun and exciting than I could have ever imagined.
So all in all I walked 48.6 miles (According to my phone) and saw 40 bands and DJ's
Action Bronson
Lil B
Keys N Krates
Azealia Banks
Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
The War on Drugs
Alabama Shakes
Interpol
Tame Impala
Parquet Courts
Lights
Royal Blood
Bad Religion
Gramatik
Milky Chance
Cashmere Cat
Chet faker
Jungle
Dirty South
Hozier
Belle and Sebastian
Run the Jewels
Cedric Gervais
alt-J
Kasabian
Jack White
Alf Alpha
OFF!
The Orwells
MØ
Panda Bear
Circa Survive
Built to Spill
Jenny Lewis
Marina and the Diamonds
Ryan Adams
Kaskade
St.Vincent
Florence + the Machine
Fitz and the Tantrums
This turned out to be one of the Best Coachella's I have ever been to, my plan worked out, and I had a smile on my face for 3 straight days, it was so much fun. Next year will be different, a new line up, a new plan, probably back to meeting up with friends, and seeing probably half of the acts but more time enjoying them with friends.
We'll see what happens at Coachella 16