A recap of this year's Coachella festival

Naima Muminiy
Staff Writer 
            
    The Coachella Valley and Arts Music Festival, founded by Paul Tollett in 1999, is a music festival that takes place every year at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This year, it took place from April 15-April 24. Coachella features many genres of music such as rock, indie, hip-hop, and electronic dance music. Coachella is one of the largest and most famous music festivals in the United States, featuring popular established artists such as Sia, Calvin Harris, and Ellie Goulding to emerging artists such as Zella Day, Parov Stelar, and Halsey. Other than the live music, Coachella is a showcase for visual arts such as instillation arts and sculptures. 

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      Coachella is recognized as the prime epicenter for unique art and music for fans and artists alike. In 2015, the festival sold 198,000 tickets and grossed over $84 million, making it one of the most profitable festivals in the United States. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Jared Leto, and Dita Von Teese attend the festival every year, and there have been numerous surprise appearances performing. This year, Ke$ha made a surprise appearance performing for the first time since she was denied to dissolve her contract with producer Dr. Luke. Coachella fans consider the festival to be the epitome of the community vibe and diversity due to it attracting people of unique art, music, and fashion tastes.
      “The location and the people and the atmosphere-you can’t find anything else like it,” Charlie Friedman, Phoenix resident and Coachella fan, said.
        The second week of this year’s Coachella also paid homage to the late artist, Prince, who heightened the meaning of diversity in music. The tributes began the day after the second week of Coachella began; artists that paid tribute to the late artist include Usher, Major Lazer, Ellie Goulding, Jack Ü, Gallant, and Mavis Staples. Coachella serves as the center for tributes and recognition for artists that have made a major impact in the music world.
        Coachella has and always will be a memorable event for artists and fans alike. The diversity, culture, and uniqueness of the festival are things looked forward to every year as well as the beloved artists and art. Tickets are already being sold for 2017’s Coachella; the excitement ensues.