The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival opens its 17th year at the Empire Polo Club in Indio from April 15-17 and comes back for an encore April 22-24.
If you’re making your way to the desert, there are some helpful things to bring with you that make the trek more enjoyable. And remember to drink plenty of water — dehydration is serious business.
1. Sunscreen
The Empire Polo field is a vast land of wide open space without a ton of shade. And if you plan on showing up in the daytime, sunscreen is a must. Put it on before you arrive and reapply.
Pro tip: Lip balm with sunscreen built in is also helpful.
2. Hat
Scalp burns can be nasty. Bring a hat. You can go for the baseball cap, a wide-brimmed fashion statement and, if you’re OK with people judging you, a captain’s hat that was in vogue five years ago.
Pro tip: A flower crown is not a helpful hat when it comes to blocking the sun.
3. Comfy shoes
You’re going to walk around Coachella a lot — like multiple miles per day. Don’t do it in new shoes you haven’t broken in yet. Some people swear by flip-flops; I think sneakers are always a good choice, but if you’re like, “Damn, Daniel,” and back at it again with the white Vans, the dirt and dust will turn them brown by the end of the weekend.
Also, heels are not a great idea — they may look great, but there’s a lot sinking-in-the-grass potential.
Pro tip: Bring along a couple of adhesive bandages in case you develop blisters during the day. It makes the long walk back to the car a little bit better.
4. Sunglasses
When the sun is out, the polo field is bright and nobody wants to spend the day squinting.
Pro tip: If you lose your sunglasses somewhere along the way, there are plenty of options to replace them at big box stores along Highway 111 in La Quinta. Inside the Coachella compound, they tend to be more expensive.
5. Bandana
This must-have accessory for Coachella is the most practical one. If it’s too hot, you can soak the bandana in water and put it on your neck to cool off during the day. It’s also a great dust mask to protect you on the dirt paths back to the parking lot — or if the great dust storm that pelted thousands of fans with dirt and sand during the Wu-Tang Clan in 2013 returns, you’re ready.
And if you want to match Saturday night performer Ice Cube, we recommend a black bandana.
Pro tip: As an added bonus, if you lose your hat while crowd surfing or in a mosh pit, you can always use the bandana to shield the top of your head from getting sunburned.
6. External battery and phone charger
Your phone is going to die at Coachella.
In recent years, the festival has upped the number of outlets around the field and plenty of sponsor tents have the capability to charge your phone.
But, one way to not miss any of the action and be tethered to a kiosk is to bring along a small external battery. They’re inexpensive and many of them can boost your phone back up to a full charge while you’re walking around. And nobody wants a dead phone to tweet about the inevitable David Hasselhoff sighting.
Pro tip: Realize that even if you charge your battery, the number of people on the network can make service go down at peak times. Make a plan with friends for a specific meeting spot and time.
7. Ear plugs
Feeling the bass rush through your body in the Sahara Tent is great. Being able to hear your friends at In-N-Out after the festival is better.
Pro tip: If you’re using inexpensive disposable ones, bring a couple of pairs each day. You’re likely to lose one here and there.
8. Poncho
Back in 2012, the unexpected happened — it rained in the desert at Coachella on opening day. A plastic poncho can keep you dry and is inexpensive and lightweight and with a storm front possibly rolling in next weekend, it never hurts to have it on hand.
9. Hand sanitizer
You’re in a giant field with dirt. Sitting down and moving around and being around 98,999 other people make hand sanitizer a good idea.
10. Ironic T-shirt
An ironic T-shirt is a must. Just don’t be that guy wearing the T-shirt of the band playing. Nobody wants to be that guy.
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Pro tip: If the temperatures only reach the 80s or low 90s, the festival grounds can get really cold when the sun goes down so a sweatshirt can also be a plus.
Festival lineup: coachella.com
Related story: Exclusive interview with Carla Morrison (in Spanish).
Related stories (in English): www.pe.com
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IF YOU GO
When: April 15-17, April 22-24
Where: Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Ave. 51, Indio
Admission: $399 for a three-day general admission pass; $459 for general admission with a shuttle pass; $899 for a three-day VIP pass. Passes are sold out, but you can still get in by purchasing a dinner package with Outstanding in the Field for $624 for general admission and one dinner, and $1,124 for VIP access and one dinner. Those who already have tickets can purchase an Outstanding in the Field dinner for $225.
Information: coachella.com
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WHAT NOT TO BRING
For more information on what isn’t allowed: coachella.com
• Bikes, hoverboards, skateboards, Segways
• Drones
• Blankets, towels, chairs or coolers
• Selfie sticks
• Weapons, sharp objects, ammunition
• Kites
• Umbrellas
