The Coachella Comeback Is More Than Fashion
The 23rd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival made its much-anticipated return Friday, April 12th during the first of two consecutive 3-day weekends. Discourses surrounding Coachella’s relevance today or lack thereof, were drowned out by sold out crowds immersed in the spirit of live music as fan favorite headliners hit the main stages. But perhaps what prompted the most doubt in Coachella’s continued popularity was whether it was still a source for fueling fashion marketing.
Headliners included Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator, and Doja Cat, but surprise guest performances and unexpected celebrity cameos which received favorability on social media. Lana Del Rey marked her first appearance at Coachella since 2014 showcasing her trademark ethereal, sultry essence and sang duets with Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste, and Jack Antonoff. Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were spotted supporting Ice Spice and Jack Antonoff’s Bleachers. Olivia Rodrigo joined No Doubt as they reunited on stage after a decade for a set filled with nostalgia.
For the better part of the last decade, Coachella has not just been about the music and arts aspect, but an overall state of mind. Aptly referred to as Coachella Core, the aesthetic was centered around the festival fashion sported by attendees and who put together the most aesthetically pleasing look. Festival grounds, specifically those with a ferris wheel in the background, acted as a backdrop for social media posts and led to some users receiving brand partnerships.
The emphasis on the fashion component of Coachella in the 2010s was driven by the interest in what was being worn by celebrity attendees, especially Vanessa Hudgens. Deemed the “Queen of Coachella,” Hudgens gained attention at the festival appearances as she sported her trademark bohemian chic style, which often included the flower crown and related pieces. Other attendees began adopting her manner of dressing at festivals in the following years, which turned Coachella grounds into a borderline fashion runway for who put together the best looks. Beyonce’s “BEYCHELLA” largely contributed to Coachella’s cultural fusion between the music and fashion aspects, as the grammy-winner and her performers sported looks designed by Balmain.
A hyper fixation on who looks the best rubbed some attendees the wrong way who were avid music lovers and attended solely for the music and arts involved. Many attendees have felt the festival had changed drastically since it first began, as people became more focused on keeping up appearances as opposed to just enjoying the experience. The premise became more so about influencers and content creators sensationalizing the experience. But as social media users have become more aware of realities surrounding Coachella, this ideal seems to have dwindled. Though not as prominent as in years past, this first weekend of Coachella this year seems promising; a balance between music and fashion is feasible. Momentum stirred for 2024’s weekend gives hope for the future of the festival as far as relevance; it clearly is still enjoyable for some by way of the music, fashion, and overall experience.
Featured Image Courtesy of iStock