Coachella is more than a music festival

It is also a learning experience. And because this was my first year attending the music and arts festival in the desert, I thought I’d compile a list of the top 10 things I learned at Coachella 2010.

coachella-2010-festival-desert

1. The desert is hot.

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2. A little barf won’t ruin a Phoenix concert. (After the guy next to me leaned over in the middle of the show and puked his guts outs, I contemplated leaving. But, like a true fan, he kept on rockin’ so I did too.)

3. Tweeting about that barf will get you written up in LA Weekly.

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4. Major Lazer can hype a crowd like no other. See exhibit A, which, I should warn you, isn’t exactly suitable for work.

jonsi-coachella-20101

5. Icelandic is the world’s prettiest language. It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand a word of it, when it’s sung by Jón Birgisson of Jonsi, it’s like watching doves fly under a rainbow on a summer morning.

coachella-street-style-2010

6. Wearing a New Kids on the Block t-shirt will make you new friends.

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7. Some bands will blow you away live. (I’ll see you in Vancouver, Temper Trap.)

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8. Others won’t. (Sorry, XX, I’ll buy your next album, but I’ll pass on your next show.)

canada-flag-coachella-2010

9. Canadian flags look out of place among palm trees.

10. Paris and Nicky Hilton are much prettier in person.

Have you been to Coachella? Are you going? 2011, anyone?

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33 Comments

  • Reply Masey April 19, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    So stoked that you loved “The Temper Trap”. I’ve been trying to champion my fellow Aussies here in Vancouver for a few months now and it seems to be largely on deaf ears.

    At least I can count on you to be part of team triple T? :P

  • Reply Melissa April 19, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    If your tweets don’t inspire people to attend Coachella in 2011, nothing will.

  • Reply lisa April 19, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    It sounds like you had an amazing time! You look super stylish in your NKOTB tee too (wow, I never thought I’d utter that sentence…).

  • Reply Abby April 19, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    Not sure if the English/Irish/German skin could handle the desert but it sounds like a good time and I’ve always wanted to go to SWSX (especially before I get old) and this seems very similar. Let me know if you go again! :-) The Major Lazer video is INSANE and I can tell is the inspiration for that set up on the stage…

  • Reply Abby April 19, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    I meant SXSW – duh…

  • Reply Nicole April 19, 2010 at 11:46 pm

    so jealous that you go to go to Coachella, but glad you did because I love your top 10 list! Icelandic is a beautiful language. Awesome that barf landed you on LA Weekly. LOVE Temper Trap! Sorry to hear about The XX. Love your NKOTB t-shirt! I hope to go next year :)

  • Reply Scott April 20, 2010 at 10:57 am

    convenient you didn’t post a pic of paris and nicky being prettier in person.

  • Reply liv April 20, 2010 at 11:43 am

    wee how fun! except the barf part but what a trooper you are for hanging in there. i can’t wait to see your coachella fashion roundup. I’m always so inspired by the beautiful people there.

    any other celeb sightings?

  • Reply Kelsey April 20, 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Masey — Yes! I’m definitely on Team Temper Trap. Have you seen them live before? Their show is so much more rock-y than I thought it would be.

    Melissa — Are you thinking of going next year? You should!

    Lisa — NKOTB is always the height of fashion.

    Abby — I’m dying to go to SXSW and I’m definitely going to Coachella again next year.

    Nicole — You’re a Temper Trap fan? Hooray! Are you going to their Vancouver show?

    Scott — It is convenient, isn’t it? A photo wouldn’t show their true (natural) beauty.

    Liv — I swear I saw Whitney from the City but I felt like such a creep for staring.

  • Reply Lexie April 20, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    Um so if I go in 2011 I will be through the roof happy.
    You saw Temper Trap!!! I am so unbelievably jealous. And phoenix, how many times have you seen them now?

  • Reply Larissa April 20, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    Sorry but…it’s not the t-shirt that won you friends, it’s the lack of pants!

  • Reply Larissa April 20, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    Also – I’ll be there next year with bells on.

  • Reply MizzJ April 20, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    I find it hard to believe the Hiltons look better IRL! Does that mean their noses are just bigger in photos? :p

  • Reply Teresa April 20, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    i’m going through music festival-envy just looking at your pics. The only one I’ve ever been to is the Virgin Music Festival and Jazz Festival. In pic #6, looks like that guy was checking you out ;)

  • Reply Rachel April 20, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    looks like an amazing event! though slightly disappointed to hear the xx didn’t deliver as they’re on my highlight list for upcoming sasquatch but there’s still plenty to look forward to. did you have a fave performance?

  • Reply aliciafashionista April 21, 2010 at 1:58 am

    I had love/hate feelings towards your Coachella tweets. I loved to read what was happening, hated that I wasn’t there!!! You have definitely convinced me to go next year so I won’t feel left out.
    Perhaps see you at Temper Trap at Commodore :)

  • Reply Masey April 21, 2010 at 9:29 am

    Kels – Yeah, I’ve seen them (The Temper Trap) live before a couple of times now and have been well impressed every time.

    This is by far going to be one of the best valued concerts of the year in Vancouver – only $18.50 a ticket @ The Commodore!

  • Reply nadia April 21, 2010 at 11:32 am

    i have so much tosay , i hope idont ffoget something ..
    first LOL you got written up that is awesome!
    also i would love to make new friends if they look like those cute boys ;)

    and YES i have heard that the xx is pretty bad at shows .. they music doesnt translate live. it should seem pretty obvious but i dunno i always expect tohear they are good live .

    anyway i loved this post .. iddint go :( one day some day i will

  • Reply mc April 21, 2010 at 11:50 am

    i think #1 should be “do not park in coachella parking lots unless you enjoy being stuck in a kia forte for 3 hours while trying to exit…”

    other than that, your list is quite agreeable.

    mc

  • Reply Kelsey April 21, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Lexie — Actually, I’ve only seen Phoenix twice. And both shows have been memorable for entirely different reasons (first time people rushed the stage, second time… well…)

    Larissa — But will you be there with pants on?

    MizzJ — Strange but true. It’s kind of like the Sedins, actually. They look completely normal in person, but very different on camera.

    Teresa — Or maybe he was just looking at me and thinking “Hey, is she posing for a blog?”

    Rachel — I am so envious that you’re going to Sasquatch. I’m trying to figure out if I can make that happen. You should still see the xx. They sound amazing, they just don’t put on a “show”.

    My favourite performance? It’d have to be Major Lazer. So. Much. Fun.

    Alicia — I’m so happy to hear my tweets caused severe FOMO. Can’t wait for next year!

    Masey — Can’t wait for Temper Trap to play in Vancouver. So many people are going, it’ll be such a good time.

    Nadia — So glad you liked it. And I hope you get to go soon.

    MC — Add to that “And if you’re going to be stuck in a Kia Forte for three hours, then tune your Sirius Satellite Radio to Howard Stern.”

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    when’s the Temper Trap show in Vancouver?! I usually find out after a good band comes to Vancouver and get all bummed out because I missed it haha

  • Reply Kelsey April 23, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Nicole — Temper Trap will be playing the Commodore on June 1st. Can’t wait!

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