Coachella 2011

And so the time that all those desert loving festival goers around the globe have been waiting for - the line-up announcement for Coachella 2011
And if twitter is anything to go by, I must admitbthat the line-up is far from over-inspiring. I've been trying to work out why that is?

Could it be because I've been lucky enough to visit a lot of other music festivals in the years that have passed since my last Coachella experience?
Or maybe because we now get a lot of acts visiting us out here in Malaysia and the SE Asia region...
A combo of the two perhaps?

Whatever it is I don't want to come across spoilt or ungrateful - but the great pull of Coachella is the culmination of the arts; art, dance and music - the established, the pioneers, the movers & shakers & the ones to look out for in the future. And honestly this year there aren't many acts playing that I haven't already seen or that I want to see. Hang on a minute

This is COACHELLA we're talking about - set in the a huge field in the middle of a desert, peppered with palm trees with mountain ranges in the distance - a dream setting - just being there is an experience in itself. Let's take another look at that line-up...

DAY 1
Kings of Leon - YES!
Lauryn Hill
Cee Lo Green - YES!
Cut Copy
Klaxons
Monarchy

DAY 2
Arcade Fire
Empire of the Sun (wicked LIVE)
Scissor Sisters

DAY 3
Kanye West (for his new promo)
The Strokes - YES!
Chromeo
Duck Sauce - YES!
The Presets
Neon Trees - YES!
Leftfield - Old Skool Oh YES
Plan B - DOUBLE YES!
Ellie Goulding - TRIPLE YES!!!!

Incidentally, a lot of preparation goes into setting up Coachella - unlike Glastonbury (amoung other festivals in the UK) one thing you can be sure of in Palm Springs is the weather - clear blue skies sprinkled with the additional white fluffy cloud, coupled with dry heat and smiling sunshine.

Watering in prep for Coachella (2011)

Wait for the total transformation...

Watch this ''mini" movie of the whole Coachella experience - wickedly shot it features real footage from last year's festival.

Notes from Sam O'Hare (Director / Editor / Producer) : "I wanted to portray a unique view of the incomparable Coachella experience. Following the crowds in the sunshine from arrival, camping, exploring the art in the arena, all the way through to the headliners at night, this film brings a miniature feel to this huge festival.

Now that they have stopped allowing RVs to the site in order to be more environmentally conscious, my dream is to do Coachella in the super spoilt Safari Tents at a meagre price of USD5,000 for two people *GULP*

*sigh*

*2011 LUXURY ON SITE SAFARI TENT ACCOMMODATIONS

The only way to obtain an all access pass to Coachella (unless you know one of the bands). This exclusive area will include, your own separate check-in location, fully furnished shakir style tents with air conditioning, private restrooms & showers, golf cart shuttles to and from stages, free private parking lot, drop off area, breakfast and late night snacks, added security, outdoor chairs, shade tents + outdoor lighting, games and more!

SAFARI Tent or Personal Lounges

$5000 (+ applicable charges) for the first 2 people.

$1250 for each additional person to stay in your tent.

Fully furnished awaiting your arrival. (2 person, includes festival access)
There are only a limited amount of these (2 person) Shikar style tents being made available. Access to this area will be solely limited to Safari tent wristband holders. These are the highest end of elegance and sophistication with luxury interiors, fully furnished for your choice of either sleeping or Lounging. Sleeping tents come with the choice of 1 or two queen sized beds, linens, tables, flooring, pillows, chairs, AIR conditioning, electrical outlets and more. Personal Lounge tents come with AIR conditioning, electrical outlets, couch, chairs, table, flooring and other personal touches. Lounges would also be comfortable for sleeping but no bedding provided. Purchasing these special luxury accommodations include 2 ALL ACCESS "guest" wristbands with special shuttles taking you inside the venue.

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But I must not complain as I am fortunate to be able to say I have graced those lushious green fields in Indio filled with music fanatics, artisans, travellers, hippies and general revellers (and crusties)

Coachella 2008

The walk-in

One of many mind-blowing art installation scattered across the Festival
Intertwining Articulated Lorries

The Cinematic Orchestra serenades as Sunset approaches

Indio is in fact one of the largest polo fields in Palm Springs and my first time there was actually many moons ago (back in the early 90s) to watch Polo. I was going to post a picture up but immediately decided against it once I saw the state of myself at the time *coughs*

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Coachella 2011 - to go or not to go? Perhaps I should check if I can actually AFFORD to go - Who wants to sponsor me say 'Aiiiiii"!