Palm Springs Life / Desert Guide / April 2011 / Surviving the Music Fests

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Surviving the Music Fests

Navigating your way around Coachella & Stagecoach

Leave April showers to the rest of the country. In the Coachella Valley, locals and visitors alike know that springtime in the desert means music reigns. The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival takes place April 15-17, followed by Stagecoach Country Music Festival two weeks later, April 30-May 1. Both world-renowned events take place on the lush, grassy grounds of Empire Polo Club in Indio, drawing crowds from around the globe.

Coachella, as it is affectionately known, has tripled the size of its audience since its inaugural outing in 1999, when 25,000 attendees rocked to the tunes of Beck, Rage Against The Machine, and Morrissey. With the widely reported overcrowding and ticket problems of last year, concert promoters have increased the venue size by more than 10 acres and made fewer tickets available than 2010’s peak of 75,000 (the fest sold out in a record five days). There are also rumors of an additional sixth performance platform — a smaller stage joining the traditional two stages and three tents — to accommodate the 60 or so bands, solo acts, and DJs slated to perform each day.

Stagecoach has also gained momentum in each successive year and now attracts up to 50,000 people per day at its family-friendly celebration of all things country. Think cowboy hats, boots, and jeans with big, shiny belt buckles while listening to the hottest country music stars today. In addition to performances, Stagecoach provides family activities, including a barbecue competition.

HOT PICKS

Coachella
With dates, stages, and times subject to change, here’s what we know as of press time (final lineup will be announced prior to the start of the festival): Friday, April 15: Multi-Grammy-winning Kings of Leon perform on the main stage, joined by The Chemical Brothers, Caifanes, Robyn, Lauryn Hill, and Ce Lo Green. Saturday, April 16: Fresh off their win at the 2011 Grammy Awards, indie rock band Arcade Fire headlines. Also scheduled are Mumford & Sons, Bright Eyes, Animal Collective, Empire of the Son, Scissor Sisters, and Erykah Badu. Sunday, April 17: Kanye West and The Strokes headline closing day, which also includes Duran Duran, PJ Harvey, Death from Above, 77, and Jimmy Eat World. Visit www.coachella.com for updates.
 
Stagecoach
The two-day extravaganza promises encore performances by top-charting headliners Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood. They’ll be joined by country faves, including Loretta Lynn, Darius Rucker, Gatlin Brothers, Leon Russell, Wanda Jackson, Rodney Crowell, and Easton Corbin. The final lineup will be announced before the start of the festival. Visit www.stagecoachfestival.com for updates.

SURVIVING ON THE INSIDE

Both festivals will go on rain or shine. All ages are welcome. General parking is free. There are no ticket refunds or exchanges. Coachella opens at 11 a.m. each day. Weekend-pass wristbands are the only way to gain admittance. The event is sold out. Do not buy single-day tickets from any third party. They are counterfeit. Stagecoach opens at noon each day. Kids 10 and under are admitted free. Weekend passes were still available as of press time.

What to Bring: There are many things you’ll want to consider bringing to the festivals, but most importantly, bring your common sense. There’s a long list of what you can and can’t take onto festival grounds. To avoid having to hike back to your car with prohibited items, check each festival’s website for specifics. Here are some of the basic survival tips and tricks.

Sun Protection: Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Apply the latter liberally and often. A first-day burn will definitely dampen the experience of subsequent days. Sorry, but umbrellas aren’t allowed—they block others’ view.

Food & Beverage: No outside food or beverage is permitted. A huge selection of food and drink is available inside, ranging from vegan to some of the meatiest meals imaginable. You’ll find pizza, burgers, hot dogs, falafel, and quesadillas, as well as all kinds of interesting ethnic fare. And mini snacks of all kinds will keep your belly filled throughout the day. Beer, wine, and cocktails are also available. If you drink, a good rule of thumb is to take in equal amounts of water for each alcoholic beverage consumed. Budget money for water, then double it! You’ll also want to consider buying a festival water bottle and keep it filled for free.

Cash: It’s the only way to pay at the festivals. ATMs are on site, but the lines will be long. Plan ahead and stash some cash for later.

Cameras: Take all the pics you want with your phone or your point-and-shoot, but leave the video cams and “professional” digital or film cameras (described as those with removable lenses) at home.

Clothing:
Be prepared for a possible wide fluctuation in temperatures. At high noon, April’s mercury can top 100°F. But when the sun goes down, a chill sets in and temps can quickly dip into the 60s. Layered clothing is your best bet for a full day of comfort. And don’t forget about your feet! You’ll be walking and standing then walking some more, so comfortable shoes are a must. Think twice about open-toed sandals and flip-flops, since you’ll be in close quarters with thousands of your new BFFs — any of whom might accidentally crush your vulnerable toes with their enthusiastic stomping.

Phones: Be aware that coverage can be spotty and that an overload of calls and texts can tax provider towers. Make a plan to meet up at a specific time and location in the event that you and your pals lose one another. And be a bit more specific than saying, “Meet you in front of the main stage.” Do you really think you’ll find the handful of peeps you’re looking for in a crowd of 40,000?

The Coachella iPhone App: Cool features to enhance your festival experience include an interactive map, a friend finder, and something called “Where Is My Car?”
While we’re on the phone topic, this app includes cool features to enhance your festival experience. Download the app from the festival website (www.coachella.com) and stay tuned for updates with new features rolling out until show time, including an interactive map, a friend finder, and something called “Where Is My Car?”

Staying Fresh: It’s hard to stay calm, cool, and collected when you feel (and smell) like a dirty girl or boy. A great way to freshen up while attending the festivals (or to avoid long shower lines while camping), is with Action Wipes, refreshing body towelettes made with all natural ingredients like eucalyptus and tea tree oils. Available online at www.actionwipes.com. Shipping is free within the U.S.

Backpacks: Load up your gear in fanny packs and medium-sized backpacks. Be judicious about what you pack. Who wants to lug unnecessary extra pounds around all day? And if you’re going to Coachella, leave your lawn chairs at home. However, they’re welcome at Stagecoach. 

Carpooling
If ever there was an incentive for festival-goers to carpool, this is it. Once again, Coachella and Stagecoach offer a very cool carpooling contest. Cars carrying four or more people and displaying the word “Carpoolchella” or “Stagecoach Festival Carpool Convoy” on an 8.5x11 piece of paper on the dashboard may be considered for prizes, including all access guest passes, VIP wristbands, photo passes, and even VIP tickets —for the rest of your life!  Secret spotters will randomly choose winners throughout the festival.

Parking
The good news is that parking is free. But the reality is that traffic coming and going is always intense. Some recommend that you give yourself 5 to 10 minutes per mile when driving through the area to get to the venue. To find it, just follow the crowds. (There are also some pay-to-park lots that may be closer to the festival entrances.) While driving toward the Empire Polo Club on Monroe Street, look for signs directing you to the most convenient (and closest at the time) parking lot. The taxi and shuttle drop/pick-up is on the east side of Monroe Street at 50th Avenue. Looking for ways to beat the parking chaos? Check out shuttle opportunities at www.valleymusictravel.com/coachellashuttles.php, or connect with fellow festival-goers and plan on carpooling.

Security
Pesky, yes, but security checkpoints are an expected and necessary part of today’s concert experience. Needless to say, leave any weapons at home. Ditto for the aforementioned food and beverage items (some exceptions are made for medical purposes), pro cameras, etc. Adjacent camping areas will have their own security entrances. Keep in mind that tens of thousands of people need to go through security, so give yourself plenty of time and be patient.

Restrooms
Let’s face it, bathrooms are a vital necessity. Thankfully, finding them isn’t difficult. Finding one with a short line can sometimes be a challenge. There are a wide variety of facilities throughout the venue, from the most basic Porta-Potty to flushable trailer toilets with stalls. To prevent an uncomfortable situation, familiarize yourself with the venue before you become desperate, and perhaps bring a small stash of personal toilet paper, just in case. The map of the festivals, outlining all facilities, will be made available online the week before, and will be distributed to each festival-goer upon entry.

Recycling
Being green is a big deal at these highly populated events. Bins will be everywhere, and there’s even a program for festival-goers to bring in 10 empty water bottles in exchange for a full bottle!

Getting Up Close and Personal
Let’s face it; everyone can’t be in the front row. The reality is that those who end up close to the stage have either a) purchased or been given VIP access, b) been waiting there all day in the sizzling sun, c) charmingly wiggled their way to the front of the line, or d) made a total jerk of themselves by pushing through the crowd by hook-or-crook to get what they want. Thankfully, the music can be enjoyed from just about anywhere you end up.

Art
Aside from great music, the festival promoters bring in some amazing environmental sculptures. These pieces of art — some borrowed from the Burning Man Festival — brighten the sky at night with flashing lights, neon, and computerized graphics. They represent whimsical images, ranging from canvas-winged birds and a spider whose body is made from a VW Beatle to a fire-breathing dragon and variations on human figures. they can provide a little bit of shade during the heat of the day. After sunset, you’ll be hypnotized by their rhythmic illuminations. Day or night, they’re a sight to behold.

Where to Stay
There are plenty of options when it comes to overnight accommodations while attending the festivals. Many people choose to camp right on festival grounds, either in their cars/trucks/vans, in a tent, or under the stars. Campers have the advantage of having a place to go during the day to take a break, and can also bring food and beverages with them (or shop for items at the very popular Farmers Market) and consume them in the camping areas. Many who come to Coachella and Stagecoach swear by these arrangements, and find that on-site camping brings a whole new element of enjoyment and ease to the festival experience. Those with children seem to especially enjoy camping as there are often many planned and unplanned activities, as well as new friends to be made.

Those with a little more disposable income may want to check out the luxury “Safari Tents.” Starting at $5,000, these lavish adult-only, shakir-style air conditioned enclosures come complete with separate festival check-in, private restrooms and showers, private parking, breakfast and snacks, and even golf cart shuttles to and from the stages.  And new this year is the Lake Eldorado campsite, offering less expensive shakir-style tents and teepees starting at $1,000. See festival website for details.

There are literally hundreds of motels, hotels, inns, home/condo rental agencies, and campgrounds from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. Although many of the closer venues are sold out well in advance, there are always options. Check the festival websites for a comprehensive list, and whenever possible, opt for accommodations that provide shuttle service to the festival grounds. Or organize a carpool. And as always, when staying off the festival grounds, give yourself plenty of time to get to and from Empire Polo Club.

A final word on accommodations: The website for Air BNB makes it possible for users to “rent nightly from real people in 9078 cities in 171 countries,” and recently celebrated its’ millionth night booked. Perhaps someone nearby has a spare room, or even a living room couch, waiting for you. Visit www.airbnb.com. 

SURVIVING ON THE OUTSIDE

Although many diehard festival-goers relish spending the day exploring the Empire Polo Club grounds, listening to music, and discovering unknown artists, some may want to take a break from it all. The desert provides a wealth of things to do, places to go, and people to meet. Here are a handful of possibilities.

Shopping
If shopping’s your thing, take a short drive to the upscale shops on El Paseo in Palm Desert. Saks Fifth Avenue anchors The Gardens on El Paseo (www.thegardensonelpaseo.com) where you’ll find everything from fashionable resort wear, shoes, and accessories to jewelry, perfumes, art, and contemporary home furnishings. And if you’re looking for home décor with a midcentury modern bent, check out the Uptown Design District in Palm Springs for distinctive furniture and home accessories. For interesting souvenirs to bring home to your friends and family, stop into Shield’s Date Garden (shieldsdategarden.com) on Highway 111 in Indio. A variety of locally grown dates and snacks are available. And while you’re there, take a few minutes to watch the short film The Romance and Sex Life of Dates.

Dining
The Coachella Valley has no shortage of great places to eat, and a visit wouldn’t be complete without at least one meal at Palm Springs’ favorite Mexican restaurant, Las Casuelas Terraza (www.lascasuelas.com) or its sister restaurant Las Casuelas Quinta (www.lascasuelasquinta.com), located closer to the festival grounds in La Qunta . Tony Roma’s (www.tonyromas.com), in Palm Desert, and California Pizza Kitchen (www.cpk.com), in Palm Desert and Palm Springs, are always crowd-pleasers. LG’s Prime Steakhouse (www.lgsprimesteakhouse.com), with locations in Palm Desert, La Quinta, and Palm Springs, will satisfy the carnivore in you. Ditto for Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse in Rancho Mirage (www.babesbbque.com).

Live Music
Those looking for late-night entertainment in the Coachella Valley will want to check out bluEmber (www.dinebluember.com) at Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage for fine dining and jazz sounds. Vicky’s of Sante Fe (www.vickysofsantafe.com), in Indian Wells, features an inviting piano lounge. And Shanghai Red’s Bar and Grill offers blues in an indoor/outdoor venue behind Fisherman’s Bar and Grill in Palm Springs (www.fishermans.com).

Casinos
If nonstop gambling, eating, and drinking are more up your alley, the Coachella Valley offers a number of casinos that are sure to satisfy your appetite, including the Spa Resort Casino in Palm Springs (www.sparesortcasino.com); the Aqua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage (www.hotwatercasino.com); Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio (www.fantasyspringsresort.com); Spotlight 29 Casino (www.spotlight29.com) and Augustine Casino (www.augustinecasino.com), both in Coachella. On your way back to L.A., stop off at Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon (www.morongocasinoresort.com).

Golf
Looking to shoot a few rounds? This part of the country is home to more than 100 golf courses, including some of the priciest private clubs, plus a host of reasonably priced public courses, such as SilverRock Resort (www.silverrock.org) in La Quinta and Desert Willow Golf Resort (www.desertwillow.com) and Classic Club Golf (www.classicclubgolf.com) in Palm Desert. With 350-plus sunny days a year, it’s a golfer’s dream.

Art
Art lovers will want to visit Palm Springs Art Museum (www.psmuseum.org) for a look at their vast collection of contemporary and Western art, as well as world-class traveling exhibitions. The galleries on El Paseo in Palm Desert (www.palmdesertartgalleries.com) also give connoisseurs the opportunity to shop for art in all mediums. In Palm Springs, a walk downtown reveals another bonanza of galleries, including Michael H. Lord Gallery (www.michaelhlordgallery.com), and many more.

Cactus to Pines
As for fun for the entire family while visiting the desert, don’t miss out on two of the greatest attractions:Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and The Living Desert in Palm Desert. 

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (www.pstramway.com) features rotating tram cars that whisk you from the valley floor to an elevation of more than 8,000 feet in mere minutes, providing a spectacular panoramic view of more than 50 miles, including vistas of the Salton Sea. On top, hike, picnic, have a meal in one of two restaurants, or just laze the day away in the cool air of this alpine paradise.

The Living Desert (www.livingdesert.org), a collection of the world’s desert flora and fauna, will delight those of all ages. Meander through cactus gardens. Gawk at some of the most interesting birds and animals on the planet, including a new jaguar exhibit. And, in a quirky twist, marvel at one of the largest outdoor miniature train collections around. No one leaves this place without a smile!

And while in the area, take a drive to see some of the most gorgeous scenery in the USA.  Check out the Salton Sea, the largest lake in California, and perhaps take a side trip up to the scenic Anzo Borrego Desert State Park. Head up the zig-zaggy CA Route 74—a.k.a. the “Palms To Pines” scenic highway—and stop at one of the many overviews. Continue further and you’ll wind up in Idyllwild, a mountain village you’ll find hard to believe is so close to the Coachella Valley desert. Last but not least, consider a visit to Joshua Tree National Park (ww.joshuatree.org) and marvel at the trees for which the park is named, which only grow in this location. 

Satellite Events

The festivals generally encourage parties and events at local establishments, many of which supplement their usual offerings with specialized programs. Check with your favorite hotel, club, or restaurant to see what might be on tap as the festivals near. Some events may not have been finalized as of press time.

The Fiction Group features top DJs from around the country spinning at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in Rancho Mirage. Dubbed “Mist,” the affair rocks guests poolside April 15-17, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.psmist.com

Keep your eyes peeled for non-stop fun at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs (www.acehotel.com/palmsprings). As in years past, Ace will host various local and celeb DJs, live acts, and a fun merchandise mart.

Monday Morning

One last word of wisdom. Don’t even think of going in to work on Monday. “The concert ends close to midnight on Sunday, and you likely won’t even see your car until an hour later,” says Coachella aficionado Katie from Walnut Creek. “If you live in L.A., you won’t even get home until at least 3 a.m.”