Coachella Festival

Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
File:Coachella Ferris Wheel.jpg The iconic Ferris wheel at the Empire Polo Club.
Genre	Alternative rock, indie rock, hip hop, EDM, pop music
Dates	Two consecutive three-day weekends in April
Location	Empire Polo Club Indio, California, U.S.
Years active	1999, 2001–present
scope="row" style="text-align: left; vertical The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly known as Coachella) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Since its inception, Coachella has grown from a niche alternative rock event into a global cultural phenomenon, often cited as the most profitable and high-profile music festival in the world. History The roots of the festival trace back to a 1993 performance by Pearl Jam at the Empire Polo Club. The band utilized the site as part of a boycott against Ticketmaster, proving that the remote desert location could support a large-scale musical audience. Early Years: The inaugural festival was held in October 1999, featuring headliners Beck, Rage Against the Machine, and Tool. Despite critical acclaim, the event failed to turn a profit. Growth and Expansion: After skipping 2000, the festival moved to April to avoid the desert heat. In 2012, Coachella expanded to its current "Twin Weekend" format to accommodate surging demand. 25th Anniversary (2026): In April 2026, the festival marked its 25th active year with a landmark lineup featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. Founders and Organization The festival is owned and operated by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents. Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen Coachella was the vision of Goldenvoice executives Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen. Originally a punk rock promotion company, Goldenvoice applied an "indie" curation style to the festival's early bookings. Paul Tollett remains the primary architect of the festival’s lineup, known for orchestrating rare band reunions and championing emerging global artists. Rick Van Santen, who was pivotal in the festival's launch and early survival, passed away in 2003. Acquisition by AEG In 2001, following financial difficulties, Goldenvoice was acquired by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). The acquisition provided the financial stability needed to grow the festival while allowing Tollett and his team to retain creative control over the aesthetic and musical direction. Venue and Logistics The festival is hosted at the 78-acre main grounds of the Empire Polo Club. The site is known for its extreme climate, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C) and falling significantly after sunset. Notable Stages Coachella Stage: The primary stage for the festival's biggest headliners. Sahara Tent: A massive, high-tech hangar dedicated primarily to high-energy electronic dance music (EDM) and hip-hop. The Quasar: A stage introduced in 2024 specifically designed for long-form, 3+ hour DJ sets. Sonora: An indoor, air-conditioned stage focusing on alternative rock and global Latin sounds. Art and Culture Beyond the musical performances, Coachella is a major international venue for installation art. Each year, the festival commissions large-scale sculptures from artists around the world. These pieces serve as both landmarks for attendees and interactive backdrops for social media, contributing to the festival's massive digital footprint. See also Stagecoach Festival – Coachella's sister country music event. Goldenvoice – The promotion company behind the event. List of music festivals References <references />