Coachella’s a golden opportunity for artists, but some festival fans wonder: Who’s it all for?

When fans purchase their tickets to Coachella, the renowned music festival that attracts star-studded lineups and influencer crowds looking to flaunt their social media influence in the California desert, they probably don’t anticipate having to figure out where to relieve themselves while waiting to enter. Nevertheless, some attendees who paid to park their cars and camp at the venue found themselves grappling with this very issue late last week, as reports surfaced of long lines to access the festival grounds at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif.

One TikTok user, @notliss, shared that her group had been stuck in their vehicles for a staggering 10 hours, describing the situation as “dehumanizing.” She highlighted the fact that people were resorting to using the restroom behind bushes like animals, despite shelling out over $600 US for their tickets.

For those who journeyed to Coachella, this was merely the initial obstacle, as festival-goers also voiced complaints about the already expensive food options being even pricier than usual. Coupled with gripes about lackluster crowd responses from fans watching livestreams and even some musicians themselves, a question arises: who is Coachella truly for – the artists, attendees, or viewers tuning in from home?

Coachella serves as a platform for both established and up-and-coming stars in the music industry. This year’s event commenced with headliner Lady Gaga, and will continue with performances from renowned acts such as Missy Elliott, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, Charli XCX, Green Day, and Travis Scott, among many others.

For rising bands like The Beaches and TOPS, two Canadian groups that made their Coachella debut this year, the festival represents a thrilling opportunity. The Beaches’ lead singer, Jordan Miller, expressed that Coachella has always been a “bucket list festival” for the band. With a new album on the horizon, the group was ecstatic to showcase their music to American audiences.

Similarly, TOPS, a dream-pop quartet from Montreal, had come close to securing a Coachella slot in the past, but it finally materialized this year. The band emphasized their eagerness to present new music to the festival crowds, hinting at an upcoming release in the next few weeks.

Although Coachella is renowned for its extravagant menu items like chicken nuggets topped with caviar for $100 US and a luxury omakase experience curated by chef Nobu Matsuhisa for $350 US per person, even the standard food offerings have seen a price hike, according to attendees.

Furthermore, the festival’s livestream feature has been a point of contention, with reports of lackluster audience engagement during performances. Some believe that performers are tailoring their acts to create viral moments that extend beyond the festival grounds, possibly at the expense of live attendees’ experience.

Despite criticisms of Coachella’s steep prices and its emphasis on celebrity and influencer culture, artists like Jordan Miller of The Beaches maintain that the festival remains a valuable platform to reach new audiences. While acknowledging the festival’s flaws, she believes that it offers a significant opportunity for artists to showcase their talent and connect with fans. Ultimately, she asserts, “A gig’s a gig at the end of the day.”