𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝

The biggest international pop stars performing at multiple stages, people from around the globe witnessing these iconic performances and the entirety of Hollywood creating gossip scenes at this one place – Coachella is undoubtedly the biggest music festival in the world. With the first week of the festival just wrapping up, it has already created waves across the internet. Since its launch in 1999, Coachella has successfully put out major fashion statements, created trends in the music industry, and heavily influenced pop culture movements.

The festival is held in a part of the North Californian desert, where on a normal day, you would be surprised to even see an animal moving, for the duration of Coachella,,has the likes of Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Shakira and Will Smith roaming the festival grounds. With a total attendance of over 500,000 people across two weekends, and ticket prices being a hefty $500 to $1000, Coachella surely has its piggy banks wide open, with the 2017 season hitting the record books with a massive $140 million profit. Yet, it is not only the AEG Live, owners of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival that are getting their pockets full, it is the 200+ artists from different genres and languages allowed to promote, showcase and perform their music for a lucrative price, the food vendors, the accessories and fashion shops, the transportation (all the way from planes to small buggies), accommodation and tent services, advertisers promoting the acts through billboards along the route, there is a mini-city being built on the plains of California and everyone is getting their fair share of money from the same.

Tourism further adds on to the impact, not just from  the States, but from around the world, with around 22.6% attendees being international visitors in 2019. Coachella draws nearly twice as many air travelers as other music festivals. In recent years, all the performances are livestreamed on YouTube, with the entire festival having 41 million total viewers in 2023, making it the most livestreamed event ever. “Our partnership with YouTube brings Coachella to everyone around the world,” says Goldenvocie President Paul Tollett. “The 2023 lineup sees performers from Brazil, France, Iceland, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Spain, and beyond, and bringing international fans closer to their hometown artists is important to our team.”

Additionally, Coachella has even shifted to sustainable methods. In 2016, the festival eliminated plastic straws, saving approximately 300,000 straws from being used each weekend and in 2017, up to 100,000 pounds of waste were diverted each day from landfills due to recycling efforts. In 2018, 130 ton-reducing carbon offset programs were created by audience members, equivalent to driving 235,000 miles in a car. The festival implements a comprehensive waste diversion strategy that composted and recycled 298.6 tons in 2023. Still about 70% of the waste goes to the landfills.

In conclusion, Coachella contributes millions of dollars to the local economy and increases travel worldwide through ticket sales, lodging, and tourism. It is a symbol of economic dynamism and cross-cultural interchange because of its profound resonance that goes far beyond music. Coachella is no more just another music festival, Coachella is a brand, Coachella is a celebration and a historic time in the music and entertainment industry calendar.

-Jai Bhayani, AS C