Chloe Gerhard | Writer
May 2, 2024
Last month was the kick-off to festival season with Coachella starting on April 14th and Stagecoach ending on April 28th. Both music festivals not only occurred back to back but also at the same venue in Indio, California. This has sparked debate over which festival is better.
When asked about this year’s Coachella, junior Avery Kearl expressed, “It was a lot of fun and I definitely want to go back next year.”
Coachella is two weekends, unlike Stagecoach which is a three-day festival. Coachella first began in 1999. This music festival draws influencers and A-listers alike for six days of music entertainment filled with popular headliners. This year, the headliners included Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator, Doja Cat, and No Doubt. Lana Del Rey’s performance also had a guest appearance from Billie Elish. Music genres for the festival generally vary and typically comprise pop, alternative rock, hip-hop, and EDM. Coachella also gets more media traction than Stagecoach which can be seen in influencer and celebrity posts. These stars are typically given artist passes through brand sponsorships. Taylor Swift’s appearance as a crowd member took the internet by storm when she appeared in the crowd with Travis Kelce supporting Jack Antonoff and Ice Spice’s performances.
One downside of Coachella is its inaccessibility. General admission tickets are priced at $499, without considering additional fees. (Independent)
While Coachella brings a lot of attention, some prefer what Stagecoach has to offer.
“I like the vibe of Stagecoach a lot more than Coachella,” claimed senior Josie Burke. “I have grown up listening to country music so Stagecoach is my favorite music festival.”
Stagecoach is a three-day event that started in 2007, making the festival newer than Coachella. Stagecoach does not differ in location from Coachella but largely differs in genre diversity. At Stagecoach the music is all country. This creates a niche audience that caters specifically to all country music fans. This is clearly reflected in the attire at Stagecoach as cowboy boots and hats are a staple. This year’s headliners included Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and Morgan Wallen. Additionally, the festival prices are slightly cheaper than Coachella at $399 not including fees. (Stagecoach)
So, where would you rather be next April, Coachella and Stagecoach?
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