Insider.com Headline Declares: ‘Disappointing Photos Show What Coachella is Like in Real Life’

INDIO — Suffice it to say that Callie Ahlgrim of Insider.com was less than impressed after attending the opening weekend of the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

After a two-year hiatus, Coachella, the most famous music festival in the world, made its long-awaited return last weekend with headliners Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Swedish House Mafia (with the Weeknd).

Local news outlets heralded the return of the high-profile tourism draw (translation: dollars for the local economy) with breathless, glowing and extensive coverage.

However, Insider’s music team dared to proclaim that the reality is not exactly how it appears on social media. Ahlgrim wrote that, the area is dusty, the food is expensive, and much of the day is spent sitting or weaving through crowds.

Here are some other observations from the writer complete with pictures:

  • The first taste of the festival is not very picturesque.
  • The walk from the parking lot is long, tedious, and extremely dusty.
  • Festival workers try to reduce dust with water, but that often creates mud puddles.
  • Many people got lost trying to find their cars and were forced to cut through unmarked areas.
  • Lines at the festival are always long.
  • Some people took off their shoes because their feet had become so sore.
  • There are very few tables or seating areas, so people typically end up eating on the ground.

Did you attend Coachella? What did you experience?

Check it out yourself: The Coachella festival will return for round two this weekend.

 

Image Sources

  • Coachella Music Festival: Shutterstock