(CelebNMusic247-News) How To Survive Coachella 2013
Were you lucky enough to land tickets to the Coachella Festival 2013?
Before you head out to the 3-Day festival that kicks off on April 12th – 14th and repeats the following weekend April 20th – 22nd. We done some research for you to help you enjoy the festival without issue.
Consider this your cheat sheet, detailing how to get there, where to stay, what to wear, what to bring and, most importantly, the inside tricks to maximize your fun.
First – How to get to the Coachella Festival:
If you are flying to the event:
Air Travel:
The closest airport to Indio is Palm Springs International and if you can afford round-trip flights there, then more power to you – but you’ll probably want to look into landing in LAX or Ontario. The concert is located 146 miles east of the Los Angeles basin, but you can cut the distance if you land at the Ontario Airport and rent a car, – you’ll end up saving money.
Check out Expedia if you want to book flights and rental cars at the same time. If you’re not into that, Avis and Budget are offering discounts on cars for Coachella.
Shuttles:
If you’re staying at one of the hotels near Indio, shuttles will be your best friend. They’ll save you the hassle of dealing with waiting in long parking lines and actually having to trek from the parking areas to the festival’s gates. Plus, it’s probably a good thing for your group to have a designated driver…in the form of a shuttle operator. All hotel shuttle information can be found here.
Driving:
If you aren’t staying on the Coachella site or in a nearby hotel, you’re going to be driving your rental car or your own car out to the field. This isn’t a terrible idea – just remember you’re going to have to deal with traffic and parking. General driving and parking directions can be found here.
If you wanted to carpool to California but then your friends chickened out because they’re lame, the festival recommends Zimride so you can split rides with strangers. As I’m writing this, there are over 800 rides available from places all over the country! Its a cool way to make new friends who share your same interest in music. If you are open to the experience then we reccommend this as option one.
Taxis
If you are in the area and not far from the event, then we recommend this as a great solution to and from the event if your hotel is not offering a shuttle service to the event.
It may not be the most cost-effective way to maneuver yourself around during the weekend, but the festival does offer a list of authorized cab franchises:
American Cab – 760-322-4444
Yellow Cab of the Desert – 760-340-TAXI (8294)
Desert City Cab – 760-328-3000
Where to Stay while attending Coachella:
On-Site Camping:
Yes, camping is the first option for Coachella. Being on the Indio site is a lot like living on campus during college – you can roll out of bed and walk to classes, erm, the festival. Unfortunately, a few options, like car camping and normal tent camping, are already sold out.
The remaining on-site camping options are definitely a bit in the higher price range, but if you have the dough to spend, you’ll definitely enjoy your experience. You can still reserve four-person spots at Lake Eldorado or go all-out and get a safari tent.
Off-Site Camping:
It’s not ideal compared to camping on the festival grounds, but with those cheaper options sold out, this is an affordable alternative. Coachella lists its recommended off-site camping places (this includes options for RVs) on its website.
Hotels:
Maybe camping isn’t really your thing and you want a bed and Wi-Fi every night. We definitely don’t blame you. But if you haven’t booked a hotel room yet, you’re going to want to do that right now! There aren’t many hotels near the festival – most of them are about 25 miles away at least – so options are limited.
If you decide to stay in a hotel, remember to check out the shuttle options and take a gander at Coachella’s all-inclusive travel packages.
Alternative Lodging:
Air BNB is an innovative alternative to hotels. If you’re not familiar, the site lets people list extra rooms, apartments, houses, basements, closets, bathrooms – whatever – and rent them out for a night, weekend or more. If you search for “Coachella,” you’ll find a variety of different places to rent for a range of different prices.
Couch Surfing is similar to Air BNB, and has a reputation for making friends out of strangers. Your best bet here is probably to find someone in L.A. who’s going to the festival each day and will let you pitch in for gas.
Don’t forget the obvious way to crowdsource a place to stay. Odds are you don’t personally know everyone who follows you on Twitter – so send out a tweet asking about any extra rooms! The same goes for Facebook.
Backpack – You’ll be carrying at least a couple of pounds and a backpack distributes that weight evenly. Save yourself unnecessary pain and leave the shoulder and cross-body bags at home.Two pairs of comfortable shoes – I personally prefer Keds or Vans, but many advocate boots. Either way, these shoes should be broken in to avoid blisters. (If blisters do crop up, that’s when you break out the second pair of shoes.) And please oh please, don’t wear flip-flops or heels. Your little piggies will get stomped or you’ll break an ankle. Major festival fail.Shorts – I avoid pants like leaves-of-three. If it’s sunny, you’ll be sticky as hell. If it rains, you’ll feel like there are shackles around your ankles. Long skirts are practically pants. And short skirts? You don’t want to pull a Britney.Bandana – This is your most versatile tool. Pull it over your face to keep out dust. Drench it in water to cool your self down. Keep the sweat out of your eyes. Or make an impromptu tube top.Watch – You’ll be checking the time constantly to hit up your choice sets, so spare your phone’s precious battery and pack a watch instead.Extra socks – Because soggy socks SUCK!SunglassesHatDont wear black. Period.
What to PACK for Coachella:
Being PREPARED when heading to Coachella is KEY! Don’t get stuck empty handed our out of cash – Make sure you have the following on your body at all times!
You might not see all these items as necessities, but in my 10 years of attending festivals, I’ve learned it’s better to be over-prepared than under. Bring a small backpack for the essentials, and keep the emergency items in your car, at your hotel or in a locker. And don’t forget to take a peek at Coachella’s DOs and DON’Ts. On to the checklist:
Water – Bring an empty water bottle (no metal though), you’ll be able to fill it when you get inside. If you’re worried about leakage, carry it in a Ziploc bag to keep your other items dry.
Cash– Most transactions will require cash. Sure there are ATMs, but expect long lines and hefty fees.
Spray sunscreen – Spray is quicker than lotion and gives you better coverage.
Poncho – Lighter and easier to pack than an umbrella, but just as effective.
Hand sanitizer – You’ll be using Porta Potties and sweating all day.
Tissues or TP – Because the Porta Potties will no doubt run out of TP by mid day.
Phone charger – You never know what will happen at a festival, so pack it just in case.
Lightweight towel – To sit on during down times.
Notebook and pen – You’ll be discovering new bands and songs along with making new friends and memories. Be prepared to jot down those details.
Caffeine pills – These are more effective than energy drinks or coffee at kickstarting your day or giving you a second wind. Extra bonus: They don’t make you have to pee.
Bug spray
Extra bobby pins/hair ties
Gum
Earplugs
Band-Aids
SPF chapstick
Now that you’ve checked off everything from travel to what to pack we have some final things for you to know. This is how to maximize the FUN FACTOR while having the time of your life at the Coachella Festival 2013.
How to MAXIMIZE you time into the MOST FUN:
Make a Plan – Get the festival guide as soon as you get through the gate and make your game plan for the day. If you’re with a group and want to meet up during the day, agree on a common meeting place for each stage and for the end of the night. Don’t expect to rely on your phone, since without fail, it’ll either be dead or without service. Also remember that as the day progresses, the grounds will get more and more packed. So if you’re trying to be somewhere at a specific time, take walking time into consideration.
Break Your Plan – Festivals are about adventure and discovery, so don’t treat your plan like a class schedule. See the sets you want to even if your friends aren’t as jazzed about them. If you’re walking past a band you don’t know, but dig the sound, stop and listen. Just go with the flow.
Avoid the Hottest Time of the Day – If you can’t stand the heat, go later in the day. You might miss out on discovering some new bands, but you’ll have loads more energy going into the night.
Drink Water Constantly – Passing out is the opposite of fun. As is nursing a brutal headache, taking a trip in an ambulance, etc. Keep the water chugging steady to avoid a medical emergency.
Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner – When it’s hot, eating can feel like a chore, but with constant walking and standing, you’ll need all the energy you can get. Coachella has amazing food, so there’s no reason to skip. Greasy food will suck the life out of you, so stock up on the light and healthy.
Don’t Overdo the Booze – Yes, beer and live music are an excellent pair, but pace yourself. Nothing kills the fun like a massive hangover. And how bummed will you be if you don’t even remember the best set of the weekend?
Prepare for the Worst – Make sure your name, e-mail address and phone number are in your wallet in an obvious place. Consider putting labels on your phone and camera too. Nice people return these items all the time, so make it easy for them to find you.
Live in the Moment – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, iPhones – they’re hardwired into our lives now. But concerts are always better when you’re absorbed in the experience, so let your social network wait. And let’s be honest: You’re never going to watch those phone videos again anyway.
Don’t Be That Guy – This isn’t a private show, so be respectful of fellow festival-goers and the friendly vibe. If you’re tall, don’t wear a top hat. Don’t block other people’s view with a giant inflatable monkey or lots of sitting on shoulder. Don’t shove aggressively through the crowd. If you can’t get any closer without groping people, stay where you are. Don’t litter. Just be a nice person.
Remember the Golden Rule – If you take nothing else from this guide remember this mantra (it came from a memoir on neurosurgery, but that doesn’t make it complicated): “Never stand when you can be sitting, never sit when you can be lying down and always eat and sh-t at the first available opportunity.”
With that said – and if you have completed the How To Survive Coachella 2013 Guide then you are ready to have fun!
Enjoy yourself and make sure to send us updates of your experience at News@celebnmusic247.com
