Guide To The 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

(credit: Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival)

As the warm breezes of spring begin to blow across the Southland, Los Angelenos know that can only mean one thing: it's time for Coachella! The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is set for two weekends again this year in Indio, California at the Empire Polo Club. Fans travel far and wide to be a part of the festivities every year as the annual event brings the biggest names in rock, indie, hip hop and EDM to the people across several stages.

Coachella At The Empire Polo Club
81800 Avenue 51
Indio, CA 92201
(760) 342-2762
www.coachella.com

Radiohead

This year, Coachella is bringing back one of the all time greats. Radiohead will headline night one on both weekends in support of their newest album, "A Moon Shaped Pool," and Coachella marks their first U.S. date of 2017. Expect to hear new songs, as well as favorites from the 90's like "Creep," "Karma Police," "High And Dry," and "Fake Plastic Trees." But, don't expect this show to be a downer as Radiohead always has a way to make a crowd rock.
 

Kendrick Lamar

What's a rapper doing at Coachella? Well, Coachella isn't just for electronic dance music and alternative rock. After all, other rappers have made crowds dance the night away before in past years. The popular Lamar is a hit and promises to draw huge crowds.
 

Lady Gaga

Coachella attendees were freaking out when they found out that the queen B wasn't going to be performing due to her pregnancy, but when Lady Gaga took her place, we rejoiced. After all, Lady Gaga is a voice of our generation, singing hit after hit, and making any one lucky enough to see her in person drop their jaw in amazement of her voice.
 

Aside from the headliners, there are a number of other notable performances from top artists, including the hugely popular The XX, rocker Bishop Briggs, Justin Vernon and Bon Iver, Bastille, Capitial Cities, DJ Khaled, Kaleo, Porter Robinson, Lorde, and many others.

Radiohead, the xx, Bonobo, Phantogram, Tacocat, Oh Wonder, Crystal Castles, BANKS, Glass Animals, Empire Of The Sun and more.
 
Saturday, April 15th & 22rd

Lady Gaga, Bon Iver, Bishop Briggs, The Head & The Heart, Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille, Kaleo, Warpaint, Floating Points, The Atomics, and more
 
Sunday, April 16th & 23rd

Kendrick Lamar, Lorde, New Order, Porter Robinson, Future Islands, Tove Lo, Jack Garratt, and many others.

Like past years, festival attendees will be treated to a number of great art installations throughout the festival grounds, including large-scale, site-specific art pieces. Coachella searches far and wide to include both established and up-and-coming artists, and always picks the work carefully, as it is an essential part of the experience.

One of the very best attractions of Coachella has nothing to do with the live music performances. Do not miss out on the opportunity to experience Outstanding In The Field, the 4-course meal cooked by celebrated chefs featuring local farms in the Coachella Valley. Choose from one of two dinner seatings featuring a rotating roster of rockstar chefs for Outstanding In The Field. Also included is a welcome cocktail, beer or wine.
 
You must already have a wristband to attend this dinner - no one will be admitted if you don't have a festival pass. But, if you do have a pass, you can enjoy dinner seatings on each festival night, including a 3 day general admission pass + 1 seat at the dinner for $624; a 3 day VIP pass with 1 seat at the dinner for $1124 per person, or dinner only with one seat at the dinner for $225.
 
Weekend 1
Friday, April 14, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Neal Fraser, Redbird, Los Angeles
• Paul Kahan, Blackbird, The Publican, Nico Osteria, Chicago
• Donnie Masterton, The Restaurant, San Miguel de Allende
 
Weekend 1
Saturday, April 15, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Alex Chang, The Exchange, Broken Shaker, Freehand Los Angeles, Los Angeles
• Jamie DeRosa, Izzy's Fish and Oyster, Miami
• Jamie Bissonnette & Ken Oringer, Coppa, Toro, Little Donkey, UNI, Boston & NYC
 
Weekend 1
Sunday, April 15, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Alvin Cailin, Eggslut, Los Angeles
• Bruce Kalman, Union, Knead Pasta Bar, Pasadena
• Nakul Mahendro & Arjun Mahendro, Badmaash, Los Angeles
 
 
Weekend 2
Friday, April 21, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Alvin Cailin, Eggslut, Los Angeles
• Bruce Kalman, Union, Knead Pasta Bar, Pasadena
• Nakul Mahendro & Arjun Mahendro, Badmaash, Los Angeles
 
 
Friday, April 22, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Vartan Abgaryan, 71Above, Los Angeles
• Charles Olaila Ricebar, Los Angeles
• Eduardo Ruiz, Corazon y Miel, Los Angeles
 
 
Friday, April 23, 2017: Two dinner seatings at 5:30 pm / 7:30 pm
• Nyesha Arrington, Chef Nyesha, Los Angeles
• Antonia Lafosa, Scopa Italian Roots, Venice
• Dakota Weiss, Estrella, West Hollywood
 
 

Coachella general admission and VIP passes might be sold out (with the exception of Outstanding In The Field bundles,) but you can always check Stubhub, and other ticket sellers.
 
Those festival attendees who are already going and scored the coveted VIP Coachella passes will have access to the VIP areas including views of the main stage, VIP cash bar, increased food options and restrooms equipped with sinks. VIP is certainly the way to go with no lines or waiting, and an on-call concierge to help guide you to the best private parties surrounding the grounds via shuttle.

Driving: Coachella is 125 miles east of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire. Those coming from the SoCal coast can hop on the I-10 East taking Exit 142 Monroe Street exit in Indio. Follow Monroe to Avenue 51.
 
Parking: There is plenty of parking adjacent to the festival grounds. Make sure all passengers in your vehicle have a festival pass secured to their wrist. Lost/stolen wristbands will not be replaced. No exceptions will be made.
 
Coachella also offers VIP parking available in LOT 1. All limos, party buses, SUVS, and shuttles must have VIP parking credentials upon arrival. Shuttles and golf carts are available to take you to and from the festival through a private-access gate.
 
Bus & Train Information: The nearest bus stop and train station are approximately 3 miles from Empire Polo Club in downtown Indio.
Drop-offs: Taxi, UBER, Parent and friends can pick up and drop off festival attendees at the corner of Avenue 52 and Madison. Pedestrian access is also available on Avenue 49 and Monroe. Under no circumstances will pedestrian festival access be granted on Monroe Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52; and Madison between Avenue 50 and 52.
 
Shuttles: Valley Music Travel offers airport shuttles between LAX and the festival grounds as well as the box office for Will Call and several of the area hotels.

Car, Tent Parking and Campgrounds

Coachella is famous for offering spots for both car camping and tent camping. You are permitted to have as many passholders in one spot as you can comfortably fit. The Car Camping spots are 10' x 30' and Tent Camping Spots are 10' x 15'. There are no in/out of your camping spot though. So, once you are there, you are staying put. Needless to say, saving spots is prohibited, so make sure to arrive together if you're planning on camping together.
 
Campgrounds include: free showers, an internet cafe with free wifi, cell phone charging stations, access to a general store, satellite stores with ice, portable toilets, a farmers' market, supermarket shuttles and free water refill stations.
 

Lake Eldorado

Lake Eldorado is an exclusive campsite boasting a 24-hour concierge, tee pees, tents, lakeside benches with umbrellas, free showers, separate check-in, private access to porto potties and flushable toilets, in/out privileges Thursday and from 2am to 10am on Friday through Sunday. Each reservation comes with one parking spot, and each cot comes with a sleeping bag and pillow which are yours to keep.
 

Safari Tents

For fully furnished luxury Shakir style safari tents with air conditioning, you're in luck! Available for your Coachella experience, these offer 1 or 2 queen size beds, flooring, pillows, chairs, off-site private check-in, restrooms and showers, golf cart shuttles, breakfast and late night snacks, Concierge, security and Safari Guest passes which could lead you backstage! Find out more info here.

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
68900 Frank Sinatra Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
(760) 321-8282
www.ritzcarlton.com

Enveloped within the Santa Rosa Mountain range, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage offers a true luxury desert experience, as well as offering striking panoramic views of the greater Palm Springs. Perched 650 feet on a hilltop reflecting the region's picturesque open-air surroundings, The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage offers contemporary guest rooms, lavish amenities and incredible service to create a relaxing desert oasis. The property is also home to two signature restaurants, and three swimming pools overlooking the Palm Springs Valley.
 

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort
44400 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 773-4444
www.marriott.com

Located only 8 miles from the Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort is offering Coachella packages including the "Any Line, Anytime Shuttle Pass" making it a hassle-free 16-minute drive to the festival. This shuttle pass will allow you the flexibility to ride directly from the hotel, to the festival and back. Before heading to the festival grounds, guests can hang out in the guest rooms and suites equipped with lavish amenities and private balconies, or make a splash in one of the most inviting pool experiences in the region.
 

JW Marriott Desert Springs
74-855 Country Club Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260
(760) 341-2211
www.marriott.com

Perfect for those looking to make your three-day trip into a true vacation, the resort features five pools and the largest full-service spa in Southern California so guests can relax before or after the festival. The JW Marriott Desert Springs is along the Coachella shuttle bus route and it's currently offering a special rate inclusive of breakfast so that festival goers can power up on carbs and protein for the day ahead.
 

Vestal Village
Secret Location
www.vestalvillage.com

For the chosen ones, Vestal Village is an exclusive, private, invite only event divided into two parts throughout Weekend 1 of Coachella. Amenities include: mountain hiking, horseback riding, swimming pool, fishing lake, RV hookups, tent camping, VIP camper check in, two outdoor stages, campfires, showers, horseshoe pits, and free shuttles running every 15 minutes to Coachella. There is also a pop-up restaurant (breakfast, lunch, dinner), hosted bar, and pets are welcome. Vestal Village will play host to bands and DJs performing throughout the duration of the three day event. Details and lineup are kept secret, but previous performances include Nick Waterhouse, Eagles of Death Metal, Shiny Toy Guns, Beach Party, Robert DeLong, Magic Wands, LA Riots, Golden Ghosts, and Hindu Pirates.
 

Miramonte Resort & Spa
45000 Indian Wells Lane
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(800) 237-2926
www.miramonteresort.com

When it comes to resting your sleepy little head after a long Coachella day filled with dancing, there is no better place than Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. Just a short drive away from the festival grounds, Miramonte Resort will provide the perfect escape for you to relax, unwind and recharge for round two. The exclusive desert enclave and "celebrity playground" just completed a $4 million renovation and is an impressive full-service resort with a boutique-like feel featuring hotel rooms, suites and villas. The pet-friendly resort also boasts an array of amenities which include an award-winning spa, fire pits and three resort pools with cabanas. Those looking for an elevated dining experience after days of festival food, can enjoy one of Executive Chef Carmen Rodriquez's many flavorful dishes prepared with fresh Pacific seafood and produce from the resort's garden on property at Grove Artisan Kitchen.