Coachella tickets...the agony...
It’s that time of year again for music fans across Southern California: the Coachella lineup has been announced, and music fans are about to find out how empty their wallets will be after purchasing tickets. The idea of seeing dozens of great bands and artists is exciting…the only problem: the agony of getting tickets. Wait lists, furious fast-finger contests and an inevitable forklift taken to your bank account. Tickets open high and run out fast.
So, when tickets go on sale Wednesday at noon PST, here are five things to consider:
1. Purchasing at work: If you plan to purchase your ticket online and want to avoid a verbal reprimand by your boss, take a bathroom break five minutes prior to tickets going on sale. Camp out in your favorite stall and get everything loaded on your phone. Don’t go on your lunch break—lunch is for food. Bathroom breaks are for…well, I guess food, too. But also for buying Coachella tickets.
2. When to go: When deciding which weekend you’ll attend, consider that there will probably be a massive dust storm on weekend one. And while the early excitement may have worn off, all the performers who aren’t severely hungover should be going balls-to-the-wall on weekend two.
3. +1? No, I'm not talking about your +1. Your friend won’t end up paying you back, and you know it. I'm talking about which performers may bring guest performers. Last year, Pharrell brought out Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg on week one and then week two outdid himself with T.I., Usher and Jay-Z. Billie Joe Armstrong headlined for The Replacements. This year, will Azaelia Banks welcome Iggy Azalea to the stage? Probably not.
4. Where to stay: Most hotels will be booked—time to check with friends to see what their plans are. What if I wing it? Will I be able to share an Airbnb with the kids swaying back and forth watching Kaskade & David Guetta, or should I try to sneak onto AC/DC's tour bus and party like it's 1981?
5. Your posse: You’re in the desert for the entire weekend, showering with spray bottles and going to the bathroom…well, wherever you can. If you’re going to make the first-world sacrifice, you need to be with the right crew. Make sure to go with friends that aren't going to complain that they're tired after the first two hours of standing. Make sure you aren't going with a music snob only interested in seeing Ryan Adams and Brand New who will want to "explore the desert" for the rest of the day. Take buddies that are open to new music, don't mind some swirling dirt in their faces and will entertain you while you wait around in a drunken (at the very least) haze for the next band.
For most, it’s a long drive, scorching weather, huge financial strain, and long waits…but once again, it’s sure to be an unforgettable weekend (unless you consume what those Kaskade kids are on, then you might not remember any of it!).
Is this bringing back memories? Check out our 100 best photos from Coachella 2014.