Disclaimer: I have never actually been to Coachella. I'm a festival goer, music/scene lover, and have very much been appreciating the streaming of Coachella over the years, resulting, without fail, in me discovering new bands/artists.

From my perspective, there appears to be a serious issue for Coachella that needs to be addressed, and perhaps GV could solve the problem with one simple change. Coachella is trying to be two separate things at the same time.

On one hand they are by far the best (if not only) top tier festival at having their pulse on the up and coming talent internationally. They dig deep every year and always end up with a well curated multi genre lineup. To me, this is what has made Coachella what it is.

On the other hand you have 'the headliners'. Coachella always puts so much emphasis on 3 acts out of a lineup where the 2nd tier (let alone the undercard) cuts deep. This is where the issue lies.

I get who Coachella brings as far as attendance (especially W1 from what I hear). It has evolved, for better or worse, into a status checkmark - which other events such as Burning Man also have become. This year's Frank Ocean situation, IMO, has shown how unacceptable/unsustainable that is, which I will circle back to in my closing statement.

Mainstage at any huge festival is always a bit off, but Coachella gives a different vibe. Because they always bring out massive cult following acts to close out each day you end up with the campers that kill the vibe for possibly all other acts on mainstage that day, COMBINED with the new trend where all other stages shut down during said headliner is on.

Basically, Coachella is trying to be two different things at once when it has reached a level where it most certainly does not have to. Bringing it back to Frank Ocean now:

A) a popular artist that hasn't been active in production or live shows, therefore hasn't actually earned the spot on recent merit? ✅️

B) other stages shut down for the set? ☑️ (half check cause not fully)

C) the amount of people that apparently bought tickets just for that one act, resulting in social media outrage for a wasted festival due to what has transpired. ✅️✅️ and this is the real issue. A festival at the caliber of Coachella SHOULD be better than this. With the previously mentioned curation, deep dive into new talent, and just the scope of acts playing it is obserd that the festival has been hijacked by attendants that solely care about 1 single performer. It's embarrassing really. Coachella is at a level now that it doesn't need to prove itself anymore, it can only drop in rank.

I believe that GV needs to reevaluate what it wants to be and choose the right decision, which is to scrap the Prema Donna headliners and give the closing sets to acts that have earned it based on current merit and not a popular cult following. Sure, they might loose a few attendees, but fuck em. Coachella should be a celebration of music and not a influencer circle jerk.

K, I think I'm done my rant.