The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was born in 1999 as an alternative to the chaotic Woodstock festival, hosted at the Empire Polo Club in California. The event has since grown into a global phenomenon, attracting around 125,000 people daily across three-day weekends.
From its early days featuring Rage Against the Machine and Morrissey, Coachella has hosted pop and rock royalty like Beyoncé, Madonna, Prince, Drake, Lady Gaga, Radiohead, and Harry Styles. This year's headliners include Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber.
In recent years, social media influencers have taken center stage, using the event to launch their own brands or fashion trends, overshadowing the music for many attendees.
However, concerns about the festival's corporatization, lack of diversity, and logistical issues have led some to question its cultural capital. Despite these criticisms, Coachella remains a sold-out event, generating over $100 million in revenue annually.