By: Jordan Frantz

Heat, diverse music, extravagant outfits, desert land, social media influence and a microphone with a stage are what bring people back to Coachella year after year. Located at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, nestled within the Coachella Valley, the Coachella Music Festival attracts celebrities, brand deal ambassadors, and music fans. 

Coachella has been hosting viral music stars since its debut in 1999. 

Artists range from Lady Gaga, Lana Del Ray, Frank Ocean, Billie Eilish, to The Weekend. Bright outgoing outfits have also been a must-have for the audience in attendance. 

“There were a few fashion looks I really liked, but some of them were a little wild and out-of-the box for me,” senior Kelsey Wallace said. “I like the simple and put together looks. I really liked Jenna Sinatra and Alix Earl’s outfits.”

“I really hated the fringes on everything,” junior Gabe Woods said. “From the boots to the bag, everything seemed to have fringes on it, but I think that it looks bad. It is like we are bringing back the 2010s fashion with skinny jeans, too, and I hate it.”

However, this year Coachella wasn’t just surrounded by the music and outfit aspect of the event but the political environment made an appearance. Democratic political figure Bernie Sanders spoke up about President Donald Trump and immediately received boos from the crowd, to which he responded, “I agree.” 

Sanders spoke to the audience giving them warnings about “extraordinary dangers” they could be expected to face under his administration ranging from Trump’s leadership, climate change policies, and threats to reproductive rights. Sanders emphasized the need for youth leadership and action. 

While Sanders was expressing his concern to the future generation, there were other movements expressed at the concert. Green Day, Blonde Redheads, and Kneecap were all bands that shared their concern for Palestine on the stage. 

Blonde Redhead brought a Palestinian flag onstage during their performance. One of the members also held up a sign that said, “Free them all.” 

Green Day also supported the fight for Palestine and altered the lyrics to one of their songs to:  “Running away from pain, like the kids from Palestine.” 

Kneecap used the microphone to display their concern, remarking, “The Palestinians have nowhere to go. It’s their home, and they’re bombing it from the sky. If you’re not calling it a genocide, what are you calling it?” After their speech they led a, “Free, free Palestine,” chant.