Coachella, the annual three-weekend music festival has begun. It is something that makes big news every year, between who’s seen with who, which artists captivate fans, and of course, what everyone is wearing. This year, however, it can be said that Coachella has been entirely its own, with some saying it was a flop, and others believing it is better than ever before. With the chokehold that social media influencers have on people, festival coverage is being displayed more than ever making some wonder if it is even worth going anymore. Let’s cover some of what’s been going on thus far.  

Frank Ocean: Headliners this year at the renowned music festival include Bad Bunny, Blackpink, Frank Ocean, and many more. However, Frank Ocean is receiving more attention arguably than any other artist. On Sunday evening, Ocean performed his first live show in six years. Speaking directly to the crowd, Ocean said, “It’s been so long. Everybody talks about how long it’s been, but I have missed you.” His set caused some commotion before it even started, not only with his performance being an hour late, but also because it was announced earlier in the day that it would not be livestreamed as planned. When Ocean’s set finally began, he opened with “Novacane”, perfect for the occasion since it is about a girl he met at Coachella and it is also a fan favorite song. However, the show was cut short due to the festival’s Sunday night curfew. Since the performance started an hour late, Ocean did not have time to finish. Some were outraged at the disorganized show, while others were more understanding and just star struck at getting to be in the artist’s presence at all. Ocean recently pulled out of the festival and has announced he will no longer be performing, with Blink-182 taking over his Sunday night slot for this weekend. Regardless of the flawed night, Ocean evoked strong nostalgia and has his fans anticipating new music soon. 

Historical Performances: Four international artists made history this year at Coachella. 

Blackpink became the first Korean act to ever headline at the festival. 

Similarly, Bad Bunny became the first Latin artist to ever headline as well. 

Diljit Dasanjh, from India, became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella. 

Elyanna, a Palestinian-Chilean pop star, became the first singer to ever perform a full set in Arabic. 

It is wonderful to see different artists from all over the world being recognized.  

Fashion Trends: Coachella fashion has changed a lot from what it used to be. Flower crowns and fairy wings are out, replaced by a much more casual streetwear vibe from concertgoers. In 2023, less is definitely more. 

1. Sheer pieces: some folks have chosen sheer clothing for Coachella this year, perfect for something breathable to wear in the desert. Sheer and mesh clothes are a great way to layer and add depth to your outfit without feeling too heavy.  

1. Cottage Core: many at the festival have replaced iconic flower crowns and saturated hues with softer floral outfits. This trend contributes to the more casual Coachella look this year. Minimalism is in, with more focus on looking comfortable.  

1. Streetwear: running with the idea that comfort is key, outfits as relaxed as sweatpants with plain and simple tops are popular too. Outfits like this have been seen with chunky jewelry as a statement piece and channel the “clean girl aesthetic” although some find this overdone and boring. 

Was it really that Bad? It seems that a lot of people think Coachella has lost its fun. Some believe that is is no longer about fun outfits or seeing your favorite artist but has become something very superficial. It could be said that the festival is becoming too much about influencers going or a way to prove status, with it being so expensive. Attending Coachella can just be a representation of privilege. It is almost as though Coachella is no longer about the music, but more about fitting into what is trending. There are several big music festivals held in the US each year, but perhaps Coachella has become too glamorized. 

On the other hand, Coachella still brings in fans from all over the country to celebrate a diverse array of music. It also inspires creativity in clothing, and some might even get to see their favorite celebrities. It may be very different from past years, but the way social media trends take over, this is no surprise. The next two weekends of Coachella are coming up and after a messy first weekend, maybe things will start looking up.