6 Things I Learned from Coachella 2009

[Rasputin1981]

Everyone, please add yours... Even if it's just a thing or two. I only went one day, so maybe I would've learned that I actually do love beach balls and feathers if I had come on Friday or Sunday as well.

The 6 things I learned

[Float Downstream]

I learned that no matter how thirsty you are, and no matter how badly you don't want to leave the band you're watching to get some water, DO NOT drink tequila instead. A sip or two will end up being a lot more, and you will get more drunk than you had hoped.

I also learned that you should not sit down and chill for a while if you end up too drunk because you will probably pass out and get ditched.

On a better note, I learned that girls with flowers in their hair are really attractive.

[TheGuvna]

no h20 for me all 3 days... i survived on beer and diet coke

[righteousdnk]

I learned that I really look like a drug dealer and cops think so too.

[Cheddar's Cousin]

A boardie meet-up really can happen.

[angelique]

that there are actually parents out there who don't protect their childrens ears, my bloody valentine is loud, you can never drink enough water even if its free, the sun was not as brutal as i expected (i guess living in florida does that), the polo fields are actually quite pleasant, there was an awful lot of electronica (too bad my rave days were done years ago)

[socalguy100]

If you forget where you parked your car, you're screwed.

[roadrunner]

I learned that if you are patient enough you can get in to Coachella even if your broke as a joke.

[kingz10fan]

the first artist you wanna see doesnt start until 6??? take shrooms and get lost in the do lab. amazing!

[yaytiffanyrae]

put alcohol in a sunscreen tube. bring a flashlight.

[motionnn77]

When you are right up at the stage waiting for your favorite band, and you just have to pee,...don't do it. HOLD IT! Especially if that band is at the main stage. I had someone saving a space for me.

I left, I pee'd and I bought a shot. Got somewhat close to my spot, but never found my friend.

[bmack86]

My dad was the guy who stomped the balloon during Calexico.

Mstrkrft were supposed to have a hologram show for their set, but they were dicks to the guy who designed it (allegedly, as I heard this from someone who was friends with the dude) so that guy said fuck them and took it. S'what I heard.

[The Bride]

I learned that wearing a six-and-a-half-pound wedding dress and a crown of flowers: 1) Helps your friends find you 2) Parts the crowd like the red sea for Moses 3) makes drunk guys propose to you 4) Makes everyone ask "aren't you hot??"

I kinda wanna do it again next year though ^^

[frazzles]

When you are right up at the stage waiting for your favorite band, and you just have to pee,...don't do it. HOLD IT! Especially if that band is at the main stage. I had someone saving a space for me.

Or you could be a ridiculous asshole and piss in the Sahara like this dude next to me did right before Crystal Method. Sure, you're high/drunk/whatever and you're directly in front, but holy shit.

On that note, don't walk barefoot around the Sahara, don't dance with any chick at Sahara that doesn't have a camping and/or heineken wristband unless you want to be a pedo, security had no idea what the fuck they were doing, teeny boppers love Sahara because it's the closest they can get to a club for years, Crystal Castles fans are so much fucking worse than YYYs fans (which shocked the shit out of me on both ends considering how terrible CCs were), and being giant does all the work of crowd pushing by itself.

[motionnn77]

Technology will fail in Coachella when you need it the most. My new friend that I gave a ride to the Filter party, this Aussie girl, didn't get my texts until this morning. She was still looking for a ride to LA. I totally would have been there for her. I didn't get her text until 20 minutes ago.

I also lost all my friends on Friday due to battery dying. (But sometimes it's fun to see bands alone

[ghoulina]

I learned that Robert Smith will do anything if you ask really, really loudly. Srsly, you guys couldn't give that poor man a break on his birthday?

[Devin the Dude]

word ^. triple encore, unplugged by indio police at midnight, acoustic thereafter. holy fuck. i thought my friends left me. i was the little tiny kid standing shaking at the entrance/exit for all 3 encores. i thought i was done for.

[FurtherDownTheRabbitHole]

i learned that the 'free water' thing was a joke and that one of the filling stations was broke and the two left had hour long lines to refill free water.. i just stuck to buying 2 dollar water after that happened

oh and headbands are back in.. for 16 year olds

[C DUB YA]

I learned that most people missed Paul Weller

[JebusLives]

I learned that even half-way across north america from your home town, there is still a finite chance of running into your ex

[morelifefucker]

The drugs dont work as well on sunday as they worked on friday.

[consistingof]

I learned that compared to most girls( jail bait much?), i was wearing way too much clothing. Sorry i like to keep my butt covered?

I also learned that some chicks SHOULD be wearing clothing. FATTIES

[mfnalaska]

Always-- ALWAYS- camp. It was my first time in 10 years of Coachella and I had the best weekend of my life.

Gribble was right. Don't mess with PVC in camping. EZ Up is the way to go.

I learned that the closer you get to the front of the stage, the more fun you will have, even if you're not crazy about the band. Being surrounded by so many awesome, excited music fans is contagious...

Don't walk barefoot in the Sahara, ever.

Eat medical pot brownies for dessert, not for breakfast.

Talk to everybody you can, because everybody is really nice and funny. Coachellorz are the best.

Hoes before hoes.

Don't expect security not to make stupid, arbitrary decisions and new rules whenever they get irritated. I think it was a new security company this year, and it was a total trainwreck. I heard terrible things all weekend... They were denying entry for legit wristbands, taking away real IDs, and being really handsy with lots of people in a sometimes sexual, but mostly violent way. The list goes on. Not OK, meatheads.

Always camp next to hot Brazillian lesbians. YOWCH.

And I learned that I am at my best at Coachella, and that I am entitled to feel good as often as possible. This year changed some shit in my head in a big way.

[Toothpick]

you didnt learn shit

[Pegasus Bicycle]

1. Don't pack so much food because you're gonna want food from the vendors either way
2. Don't wear flannel pants to sleep
3. You don't need to take drugs to have your mind blown in the Sahara Tent
4. Remember to bring toilet paper to the festival
5. Don't get the spiciest flavor of spice pie (heartburn)
6. Bring way more bandages

[SecretNuT]

park way the fuck away from the fucking entrance or you will sit in your car in a fucking line for 2 hours when you still have to drive 3 hours to get home

[freshdirect]

put alcohol in a sunscreen tube. bring a flashlight.

i think i may have seen you doing that actually...i was repulsed.

[locachica73]

If you are over 30 and female chances are you won't get searched.

It is ok if you lose friends, you will just find them later.

Pot brownies/cookies ROCK!!!

I learned the exact amount of rolls I need in order to "get" the light shows and touchy feelies.

[mofomofo]

1. Ride a bike if you can. The most pleasant way to leave the fields every night.

2. If you're going to have one lemonade-slushy a day, make it count by having it during a hot Outdoor stage set like DBTs, M. Ward, or Lykke Li.

3. Attack Sahara on its soft right side underbelly. That's where you can get kinda close but still have room to dance.

4. Buraka Som Sistema rule (somewhat surprisingly)

5. Fleet Foxes rule (not surprisingly)

6. The sweet potato pizza slices are very delicious. As were the tenderloin horseradish sandwiches (yeah F you Moz!)

[Spongehead56]

Buy more drugs than you think you need. They can be hard to find later on.

Don't leave your fanny pack in a portipotty. Even for a second. You will get $100 and your sunday tickets stolen.