By: Isabelle Yang, Sports Mentor
Every spring, Coachella draws hundreds of thousands to Palm Desert, transforming the Empire Polo Club into a hotspot of global entertainment. Its reputation for iconic musical performances, unique fashion, and celebrity appearances has made it one of the most popular events in pop culture. However, for many high school students, the hype around this event is rather controversial.
For some, the appeal of the festival is understandable, as it provides a space for creativity and self-expression. Noelle Young (11) explains, “It’s like a nice gathering with so many cool people.” She believes the opportunity to express personal style is enticing and is fascinated by the trends and outfits that emerge every year. A senior here at Mills, Joleen Huang (12) also highlights the fashion aspect of the festival. She expresses her excitement, saying, “The outfits – I would plan my outfits so early.”
On the other hand, many believe the event itself is overpromoted and glorified by social media and influencers. “Now it’s just a thing for influencers and not actually to have fun,” Young (11) added. This perception that the event is catered more towards social media was echoed by other students as well.
Another junior, Khaycee Carreon (11), shared similar reservations. “I think Coachella is fun for people to go to and participate in, but it’s expensive.” The rising cost of attending the festival, which includes tickets, transportation, lodging, and often elaborate outfits, has made it inaccessible to many. Brianna Kei (12) adds, “I’d love to go to Coachella, but I would only go if I was rich or someone paid me to go, like a company.” The event seems to be becoming more exclusive, which contributes to the controversies over the festival.
Although the music lineups consist of many popular artists, the weather and conditions in the scorching desert remain a factor in determining whether Coachella is worth attending. Huang notes, “I don’t know if I would do the camping stuff…It’s also really dry.” With temperatures often rising above 90 degrees during the day and plummeting at night, the environment can often be physically taxing. The dry air, long walks between stages, and limited shade make comfort a real challenge, especially for those camping on-site.
Ultimately, while many high school students would love the opportunity to attend Coachella, they also express various reservations and conditions about the experience as a whole. While the festival may still hold its appeal, students are becoming increasingly aware of the realities, leading them to view Coachella with both fascination and skepticism.
