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The 8 best things about Coachella.

This past weekend, I celebrated my 35th birthday (yikes, that hurt to type) at Coachella.  This was my fourth Coachella and hands down, my favorite.  Even as I was fighting a bad cold,  I didn’t let that get me down.  It was really mind over matter, and what really mattered was that the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is my happiest place on earth and I wasn’t about to let sickness get the best of me.  What do I love more than music, individuality, love & hippies?   Here are the 8 best things about Coachella:

1. Music.  Coachella is about the music, first and foremost.  There is really no other backdrop more fitting for a music festival in California than the gorgeous polo field in Indio at sunset, when the pinkish blue sky lightly kisses the millions of non-swaying palm trees which are overlooking gorgeous landscapes and surround five glorious stages.  During the end of the last National song in the outdoor theater, I walked on down to the main stage to catch the end of Duran Duran’s set.  There was something magical at how I was walking from stage to stage and The National’s “Terrible Love” faded out softly as Duran Duran’s “Rio” faded in loudly.   You’re instantly at another show within steps.  I’ve seen some memorable performances there ranging from Radiohead to Bright Eyes to Bjork, to The Cure to Rage Against The Machine to Willie Nelson and many more.  Artists are happy to be there and we’re happy to have them.  Coachella has also turned me onto bands i’ve never heard of before.  It’s always a nice surprise to listen to a new band with fresh ears.  This weekend has made me a fan of Empire of the Sun and even a bigger fan of Chromeo.  (As a sidenote, I will go as far to say that the Coachella music line up doesn’t mean a damn thing to me.  It never influences my decision to go or not…I will always want to go regardless of the line up because I view Coachella as a whole experience).
2. Happy people.  The walk from our car to the main entrance was over two miles, in the sweltering triple digit heat…but what I noticed this weekend was that the walk goes by so fast because you’re having a blast with with people and crowds (and confetti!) and walking in 100 degree weather takes a backseat.  That being said: there is no crowd on earth I love more than the Coachella crowd.  I usually go to the festival with a group of 10+ people, but as soon as i’m in the gates, I love going off on my own, meeting new people, and just having random solo adventures.  I view everyone there as friends I have yet to meet.  Almost everyone I have encountered at Coachella is friendly and awesome.  We are all there for the music and to have a good time- that’s what it’s all about.  There is an elusive, free and liberating vibe flowing over everyone and it’s beautiful to watch strangers bonding together over what they love.
3. Filter Party.  There are numerous parties going on in the desert on the Thursday before the festival.  We usually stick to the Filter Party.  It’s on a beautiful Yacht Club which is surrounded by a body of water.  Open bar, free goodies, & dance club all included.  Always a good time.
4. Art.  Many festival goers are usually too immersed in the music and usually forget about the beautiful art scattered across the polo field.  There are some breathtaking sculptures (some of them move!) all around.  In addition to the sculptures, i’ve seen beautiful paintings, customized cars and that tesla coil man-made lightning.  Some of the greatest things come out at night when the sun goes down and the colorful lights come out. 
5. Recycling: 10 empty water bottles for 1 new bottle.  This is one of the greatest things to be implemented at Coachella.  It promotes recycling and a cleaner polo field at the end of the day. Oh, and you can get a free water.
6. Red tent.  I spent a copious amount of time in the red tent this year.  I watched a Cirque Berzerk-like show at night and watched people get sprayed down with water in the day.  That red tent is a mecca for the craziest hippies of the entire festival.  It’s a great way to kick back and take in a show or get hosed down on the sweatiest of days.
7. Eat what you want and walk/dance it off.  There are decent food courts at the festival- ranging from pizza to thai to good ol’ fashion BBQ.  I ate pizza, pad thai, fries and churros for three days and ended up losing a couple pounds due to the miles and miles you walk and not to mention the dancing you do during the music! 
8. Crazy outfits.  Coachella is great for people watching due to the over the top outfits and sometimes barely any outfit at all.  I saw girls there with nothing but a bikini bottom and painted breasts.  Also witnessed people who were made over from head to toe with face paint, henna, faux hawks, etc.  Then there are the costume/furry people who get my utmost respect for wearing such costumes in such heat.  People aren’t afraid to be themselves and Coachella is the perfect place to let it all hang out.