music festival – Surfing the Soundwaves

Life Is Still Beautiful

HELLERRRRRR. Yeah, maybe Life is Beautiful did happen 3 weeks ago, but I have finally recovered from the loss I felt of it being over. While people had many mixed reviews of the festival this year, I thought it was as beautiful as ever. Let me tell you why.

Let’s start with my journey to Vegas. We had a little rocky start arriving, but it quickly turned over for the better. While getting to the city was extremely breezy, I experienced a little shake up at the grocery store. Of course, right? Something weird has happened to me at every festival. So, I am about to be in the heart of Vegas, when I decide to go to the store just outside of the city. We are obviously on a mission to capture some White Claws. And bagels…always bagels. So, I am picking up my case of Claws. I set my phone down maybe a foot away from me. I turned around to put the Claws in my cart and when I looked back, my phone was gone. Me being me, I assumed I put it back in my backpack for safe keeping. As I start to walk away, I realize that is not the case. Who jacked my broken Iphone 6? And how? I was standing right there, not another soul in sight. I power walk to the front, and ask the woman about a lost phone. As I am speaking to her, the cashier tells me that the phone has just been turned in. Weird, right? It felt like the universe was playing a prank on me. Since I had gone on the outskirts of the town to the store, I would have had no idea how to get to my friends apartment. Let alone, I would not have a phone for the entire weekend! Any other time, this would not be an issue, but at a festival?? Not going to happen. However, I was extremely lucky to get my belongings back. Upon checking out, I proceeded to race to the comfort of Emily’s apartment and start getting ready.

It’s day one! Not to mention, Alana and I’s one year anniversary. Such a special moment, realizing you met one of your amazing friends at an amazing festival. Iconic, one would say. Obviously this is Alana’s night. Gryffin is playing and Alana is his #1 supporter and promoter. I had no idea who he was before she came into my life. I am hyped to finally get a chance to wear my hair in space buns, like I had been practicing for weeks. We walk into the festival, and there it is, that feeling you get when you’re finally where you need to be. As some people may know, I quit my job right before the festival. My whole plan was to leave after, but it just felt right to end my journey with live music. I had been feeling overwhelmed, but all of that immediately went away. We had about an hour until our first set, ARIZONA, and I was excited to get a Vodka Redbull. Would you think any less of me? Unfortunately, I was hoping for a cute souvenir cup, but this year that concept didn’t exist. Like all years, we just HAD to sneak each other into VIP for a little bit. Let’s just be real, the porta potties are nicer, and the grass is greener. So, we spent ARIZONA’s set in VIP, vibing with my Vodka Redbull. My favorite part of this entire set wasn’t even the songs. This is absolutely no shade to ARIZONA, they were phenomenal. However, at one point, the lead singer gave a mini speech. He said something along the lines of: if you aren’t where you need to be, with the people you want to be with, you have the power to change that. And while a little lump in my throat formed, Alana put her hand on my shoulder from behind me. In that moment, I really had no doubts about any of my prior decisions. I was going to be okay, actually I was going to be FANTASTIC.

After the set, we decide to head over to our favorite tent, and watch everyone before Gryffin. An act that caught me off guard, for the better, was Jonas Blue. I had always walked to class in college to his song, “Fast Car.” So naturally, I assumed the set would be more mellow. I was wrong. However, it was the perfect pregame to Gryffin. Of course, I just HAD to scream my heart out to the song, “Remember.” For those of you who don’t remember (lol), Coachella was the first time I saw Gryffin. On my drive home, I knew there was a song I loved, but I just couldn’t think of the name. Upon shuffling his music, I realized this was the one. So, since Coachella, I had been listening to “Remember” almost everyday. On repeat. After screaming my lungs out, and dancing like a maniac, it was time to close the night. We finished with Louis the Child. Who was obviously amazing. We decided, with a long weekend ahead of us, we needed to go home early tonight. Of course, not without a little pit stop to McDonalds.

It is day TWO baby. I wake up a dusty, crusty mess, while Emily gets her booty up to go to SoulCycle. What a goddess. I went right back to bed. Let’s just say this day was the best for so many reasons. The first being, it was unofficial cheetah print night on the grounds. When we walked in, almost every person we encountered was in cheetah, including me. How did I get the telepathic memo?? We decided to walk around a little bit and check out the art. My favorite part about this year, were the notes to strangers posted all over. I think the movement has been in museums for a while, but for some reason, seeing them in person was super impactful. It was like all the notes posted, were meant for me to see. It was giving me a little extra pep in my step. However, here is where the REAL pep comes in. I had originally planned my trip to stay longer to see Loud Luxury at the clurb (not a typo). However, my friend’s hookup was no longer in Vegas, leading to a dead end for us. I was super bummed, just trying to play it cool. My friends get a text in the venue, Loud Luxury is playing the Bacardi Art Motel in 30 mins. I SCREAMED. We had to go. It was obviously a pop up, Bacardi Art Motel is teeny tiny. So we get there, and I cut the line. I cut about 70 people, absolutely no shame. In my mind, those people probably did not get the text, they were just waiting to go in and get their aesthetic photos. Not today! I still do not feel one ounce of guilt. While I was most excited for Jauz that day, the vibe completely changed. The song “Love No More,” is the bad bitch anthem I am always talking about. I am in love. So, obviously, the secret set was everything I ever dreamed.

After Loud Luxury, we attempted to find our friends and go to Jauz. Unfortunately, one of our buddies was extremely excited to see Lil Wayne, who came on stage for one lyric, and then cancelled his set. So, with her night being essentially ruined, she decided to return home. We go to Jauz and make some really cool new friends, who later we go to the next set with. However, we don’t stay long before we decide it is time to hit the after party. Where do we go? Well OBVIOUSLY, Encore Beach Club. RL Grime was playing the after party, and I was not going to miss it. Let’s just say, he’s my new Beach Club crush.

It’s day three. Emily still finds it in her soul to get up and workout, while I go right back to bed. It always sinks in on the third day, that it is ending. While I don’t intend for these sad thoughts to creep in, they always do. I just want it to last forever, ya know? So, I put on my favorite festival bodysuit, and we mob over for the last day. Of course, upon arrival, all sad feelings dissipate. Nothing extremely exciting happens, but we do get to end the night with Oliver Heldens, NERVO, and last, but certainly not least, POST MALONE. Can I just say, going into the night, I genuinely was under the impression that Post Malone heavily used autotune, even live. However, I was extremely surprised to find out that he is an AMAZING performer. He managed to put everyone in their feelings, but also hype them up simultaneously. The performance was so good, I have even considered seeing him on tour.

I know I no longer have any wild fables to tell, like my first Coachella post on here. However, I think people enjoy reading about how festivals can actually be a fairytale, as opposed to a nightmare. I will say though, as you grow up, the festival disasters may lessen, but the party STILL is crazy. I mean, c’mon, not everyone can dance for 12 miles a day. This festival never fails to remind me that no matter how tough my life gets, or how overwhelmed I may be, life is still beautiful.

Coachella 2019 Recap

I know why some of you are here…you think I had another Coachella disaster. I’m going to be completely honest, for the sake of content creation, I wish I did! However, no. This year was perfect. Maybe that’s just a part of growing up and not being a stupid college kid anymore. Or maybe it’s the simple fact that I did not take a sip of pineapple cider. We won’t know!

This year, like all years, I decided to trek to the desert for Weekend 1. Overly excited, I packed my bags, and left right after work on Thursday night. To my disappointment, I hit traffic at 11pm on the 10 FWY going towards Indio. Sadly, the cold brew high was wearing off. By the time I got to Indio, my friends were exhausted on the couch watching Flip or Flop Vegas. Classic. I go to sleep and wake up bright and early on Friday morning, obviously excited to finally be back on my turf. While we didn’t have any artists to see until the evening, we wanted to spend the afternoon catching up by the pool. In my head, I was already planning my outfits, as if I did not spend all week sorting them out to pack. The time comes to get ready and I am FEELING the Red Bull coursing through my veins. The excitement is too real. It is at this time that I should mention how we THOUGHT we were going to get to the festival. We figured with the Uber lot probably being crazy, and the prices being a rip-off, we would just walk. To justify that, we said, “It’s only a mile.” ONLY A MILE. In the hot ass Coachella sun. In cute ass outfits. We were way too confident. So, I strap up my sandals, throw on my romper, and get ready to walk my happy ass to the festival.

About 10 minutes into the walk we realized, this just wasn’t it. This was not the life hack we had envisioned. Luckily, some guy in a van pulled up next to us and told us we looked like we needed a ride. So, we got in. For someone who watches way too many murder mysteries, I really did not hesitate at all to get in this large white air conditioned van. However, as you can assume from me sitting here writing this, I didn’t die. Once we are in the festival it is madness. The first day always seems to be the most crowded. People are getting a feel for the land, seeing what’s new, and deciding what artists to see. Although this wasn’t my first year, Coachella had changed the layout and added tons of things since I had been last. However, my big ego wasted no time taking charge when my friends suggested I lead the way. Festivals are only truly fun when the blind leads the blind. We decide to ring in our first Coachella sunset with Gorgon City. At this point, they are our first act, and I can already feel my wardrobe malfunctioning. My sandals were chafing my ankles and my romper was about to give me a little nip slip. However, with the power of my anti-chafe balm, my ankles were blister free! As the sun set fully, we decided to walk around and check out the rest of the stages. The thing about the lineup this year was that most of the acts were super spread out. There was really no sprinting from one stage to the next to see your faves. The night was going amazing until it got EXTREMELY COLD. I knew from previous years it gets chilly, to where you need a cardigan if anything. No. Not this year. This year I was shocked at how windy and cold it got. So much so that day two I purchased a sweater.

Let’s fast forward to day two. No more complaining about how cold I was.

We wake up, in a little worse shape than Friday. Exhausted, dusty, and crusty (literally). That’s what caffeine and 20 minute showers are for. My outfit today was the most simple. We really had nobody on the list that we were DYING to see, so it was going to be our day to explore all the new things. So, I just threw on a tube top, shorts, and my favorite white platform sneakers. Safe to say, these sneakers are nowhere near white anymore. Will I still wear them? Absolutely. After exploring all the boujee food, and seeing the cool little HP dome, we ended our easy day with Gryffin. Who, by the way, totally blew me away. I have been listening to him since we’ve been back. Specifically, the song, Remember. My only regret of the night, is not seeing Billie Eilish. However, her set was later in the night, and it turns out she came on late because of technical difficulties. A recurring theme that Coachella still has not been able to master.

Day Three. I am starting to realize this is IT. However, I am trying to not start the day already sad picturing the end. All my faves are today. We have Zedd, Khalid, Dillon Francis, Ariana Grande, and NGHTMRE. Unfortunately, today was probably the worst in terms of Coachella microphone malfunctions and technical issues. However, not knowing that, I slap on my forehead jewels and we hop in our van. We start off by seeing Zedd. Now this is where I am starting to get emotional. The sun is setting, and all my favorite old summer songs are playing. I am sure if you heard me singing in the back of the videos I took, you will hear my voice crack. The lump in my throat stayed the whole set. It was bittersweet. I was sad it was ending, but still so happy to be in my favorite place. Once his set ends, we decide it’s time to stock up on water, the night is just beginning. There is about an hour gap until we go see MY MAN, Dillon Francis. While I have seen him many times in the past, my love for him has grown way stronger since my last music festival. While waiting for Dillon, we decide to stop at our baby Khalid’s set. This is where the speaker malfunctions become a real bummer. His mic kept cutting out, and the speakers in the back seemed to be completely blown out. This has happened every year I’ve been to this festival, and always on the last day. So, we decide to head over to the Sahara tent early. At this point, I am getting so excited, that I can’t stop moving. My friend Emily is taking it upon herself to let everyone in our friend group know, that I am the bitch commenting on every single one of Dillon’s photos on IG. Classic. He goes on, and it’s AMAZING. I think I even said, it felt like a really cool house party that everyone’s always wanted an invite to. During this set, was when I got the most EXTREME video of my singing. Remember the one of me screaming during The Weeknd at Life Is Beautiful? This one is comparable.

After Dillon gets us hyped for the night, we decide to head over to Ariana Grande and see what’s up. To my disappointment, the speaker situation had almost gotten worse. Of course, right around the time that she brought out some of the members of NSYNC. I at least got to hear a muffled version of Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored. So, we decide to go back to the Sahara tent one last time this year, to go see NGHTMRE. While I knew some of his stuff was super hardcore, I was really looking forward to his set. For those of you who don’t know, my friend who passed away, this was one of his favorite artists. One of my favorite songs at the moment is GUD VIBRATIONS, which I absolutely had to end the night with. He closed Coachella with music that you just couldn’t stop dancing to for an hour. Which was the perfect way for us to end our weekend. Exhausted and content.

The thing I love the most about music festivals, and going with the perfect group of people, is the dynamic. With my friends, there is never a time when we have to fight about who wants to see what artist. Which is something I hear happens a lot between friend groups at festivals. However, our music taste is so similar, nobody ever has to make a sacrifice to see another person’s favorite. This means, we all get to enjoy not only the experience, but being with each other. Sometimes people ask me why I attend festivals if I am only super stoked about a couple artists. For me, yes, it mainly is about the music. However, I have also learned that it is about the memories you make with your friends along the way. While Saturday I had nobody I wanted to see, I had the best time watching one of my friends cry seeing her favorite artist ever. Something about that makes the experience 10x better. I know there were no Coachella disasters this year, and I am sorry to disappoint anyone who was hoping I almost got heat stroke again. However, Coachella 2019 exceeded my last minute expectations.

LAST MINUTE COACHELLA PREP

After months of back and forth, I have finally decided…..to go to Coachella…again. If you have been here before, then you should know that my relationship with this festival has been interesting. From heat stroke, to campsites almost blowing up, Coachella and I are…complicated. However, I have decided after a year apart, it’s time to get back out there and see what happens.

With that being said, as I am writing this, I now have two and a half weeks to plan everything from transportation to clothing. Things that people have been planning for as long as the last year! However, I know I am not the only one. I can’t be. So, I figured I would sit down and talk about how to calmly organize yourself, with as little time as possible. For those of you who are not going to the festival, or are not concert goers in general, you may learn a tip or two on how NOT to plan trips. Or, you may just learn how to get your shit together when you decide to procrastinate planning your next trip.

The first thing I wanted to get a grip on was my finances. If you didn’t know, I am partying on the government’s money. Decided to use my trusty credit card to pay for the ticket. So, how am I going to pay this back, while also having the time of my life at the festival? I am still a little undecided about this one. While I am always in a panic about paying off my credit card in full, I have had countless people say to me, “You have TIME to pay that money back!” It’s like they don’t know telling me that will just encourage me to spend more money I don’t have. They are right though, why is that my main concern? It shouldn’t be. So for now, I would just like to give a big shoutout to whoever invented credit cards, my life would be so so boring without your help.

Next, we have to plan the outfits. For me, this part is more stressful than I would like it to be. While I would like to think being a Coachella Veteran has prepared me for packing, I am still extremely unprepared every time. This year, instead of being all flashy and pretty like the first timers, I just want to be comfy and cute. I want to look like I tried, but could also comfortably move from stage to stage. What most people don’t think about is the fact that the festival is an all day ordeal. You are out there for at least 12 hours. My biggest downfall clothing-wise, is ALWAYS the shoes. If you ever have a chance to be up close and personal with my ankles someday, take a look at the scars. My ankles look permanently bruised thanks to the constant chafing I endure at any music festival/concert. I don’t know what it is, but I just CAN’T seem to get it right. If by some miracle this year I pick the right footwear, I will let you know. As far as tops go, everyone knows I am either a crop top or bodysuit bitch. Five out of the seven days a week you can probably catch me in one or the other, rain or shine. I am not a jeans girl either, leaving me with a vast selection of shorts to bring. Now of course, with all that being said, I have been hunting for some cute new tops and outfits. I mean c’mon, the things I wear at Coachella will be recycled into my going out selection for the bars. I have to bring something fun and fresh to the table.

As far as transportation goes, I trust myself and myself only. I have made the decision to make the short two hour drive. While the way there is going to be so exciting and fun, I just know the way back is going to be hell. Will I even be able to hear the music over the sound of my own crying? Super stoked to find out. This of course means I will be making a playlist for the drive, that I will also be sharing with my friends to listen to on their drive as well. Will I leak it for the rest of you not going? If I’m feeling generous. I will definitely have it available to listen to after, for those who want to feel like they were there. Or for anyone prepping for weekend 2.

With all that being said, it hasn’t actually hit me that I am really doing the damn thing. Every other year I’ve been, it took months of preparation. I would fly from Arizona to California, and then drive to Indio with my girls. This time, I am just leaving from work like a normal person. I guess when you buy the ticket when they actually go on sale, you have months of build-up and excitement to where you just can’t stop talking about it. For me, since I got the ticket two weeks ago, I have only really been blabbing about it the past week. My poor friends and coworkers are really going to get an earful from me when the festival is over that’s for sure. Oh, and also this blog, duh. My next content is going to be filled with Coachella nonsense until the next festival. Get ready for the madness!