And we miss Coachella, much like the deserts miss the rain.

[GuyInTucson]

I remember hearing my friend talk about how much the crowd had changed in 2006 and 2007 because of all the Tool and Rage fans that infested the Polo Fields. Those were apparently the golden years of Coachella.

I've been to Coachella six times and only once can I say the crowd was "bad" and that was mainly due to the clusterfuck.

[chairmenmeow47]

the only part of 2006 that was bad was the whole madonna fiasco. being stuck in that and trying to leave jay-z in 2010 are the only times i've felt unsafe at coachella.

[Devin the Dude]

The real question is, who is planning on not going anyway, but wants to wait until the lineup comes out so they can blame it on that?

Quite the contrary, I'll deny that I'm going (because Coachella sucks donkey dick and so do all of you uglies) until somebody needs a few hundred pills.

[Devin the Dude]

People having a conversation about how awesome Radiohead is while ignoring the fact that Radiohead is performing in front of them. Yeah. That and people shoving their way to the front.

"This is boring. I wonder what Kaskade is playing" - literally heard

[unit300021]

Yeah that Jay-Z crowd was bad. I was at the front of it and was planning on leaving to elsewhere but when I turned around I didn't feel like battling through it. I actually ended up really liking that set so I wasn't to upset. Also was the set where I saw the most people just faint form whatever. There was about 8 or so in just the area I was in alone, can't imagine what it was like through out the whole crowd.

[GuyInTucson]

the only part of 2006 that was bad was the whole madonna fiasco. being stuck in that and trying to leave jay-z in 2010 are the only times i've felt unsafe at coachella.

2010's crowd was just bad. I think that has to do with 30,000 people sneaking in more than anything. But, I do remember some of you who have suddenly taken issue with the crowd talking about how great of an experience 2011 was. Granted, Ivy, you've had a lot go in in your personal life to perhaps change your point of view, so I understand why the hassle is such a turnoff, but I will never by the whole "the crowd is different" argument. Even the 2012 crowd was alright outside of those watching At The Drive In.

[Devin the Dude]

I watched a presumably underaged Asian kid overdose and seize out during Deadmau5 while you guys were enjoying Jay-Z.

Happily.

[bmack86]

Basically since 2010 the crowd, even if it hasn't been as intolerable as that year, has been comprised of a different sort of attendee. People I'm less inclined to want to spend a three-day weekend around. It is definitely a factor in my decision.

[Gribbz]

2009 was the last "good" year crowd wise IMO. EDIT* What Bryan said.

[stinkbutt]

Yeah, whether you want to believe it or not the demographics have changed

[marooko]

You guys are scaring me, I hope this isn't my last year because of crowds.

[chairmenmeow47]

2009 was the last "good" year crowd wise IMO. EDIT* What Bryan said.

i agree with this, but i was not there in 2007. also i don't think it was a full crowd in 2009.

my issues are more than personal or anything to do with 2010. 2010 was an anomaly. and i agree, a lot of the over-crowding problems were resolved quite nicely in 2011. but i'm not talking about over-crowding, i'm talking about general douchebaggery.

in 2004, even though it was sold-out and the crowds were massive, i could still lay in the grass and watch a set, even during radiohead (granted, i was further back). no one stepped on me, no inflatable beach balls landed on me, no flags were blocking my view, nothing. when i danced, there wasn't some drunk guy watching me instead of the band "cheering me on" and trying to get my attention (this has happened a few times, ask caeden about PJ harvey lol). in 2006 a circle once formed, but people kept their distance and weren't hitting on me. i'm not trying to make myself out to be some fantastic dancer or so hot people can't stay away, it's just that for me, coachella used to be one of the few places i could go on earth and just dance and enjoy music without having to worry if someone was going to try to make a move on me.

it reminds me of the whole change in the rave scene around the turn of the century. i felt like i used to meet tons of really interesting people who were enjoying the music, now i feel like those people have all moved onto something else and left the LA headdress chicks behind.

but hey, i'm probably just old and ready for something else

[Miroir Noir]

I have found the crowds to be perfectly fine in 11 and 12, but that's probably because I never go to the Sahara tent and am usually into the '80s or '90s alt rock era acts that the bros don't care about. I have enough residual patience to make it thru the Arcade Fire or Radiohead type set each year.

[chairmenmeow47]

i hardly have gone in the sahara since 2009. the music in there has shifted. the two most obnoxious instances of people who wouldn't leave me alone while dancing were at the outdoor theatre.

[Miroir Noir]

Your experience with idiots may vary (via being an attractive woman).

[Gribbz]

Yeah, I don't think I went in the Sahara once this past year.

[captncrzy]

I think I went in to watch Breakbot and that was my first time in there since 2010

[PlayaDelWes]

The Sahara has turned into a spectator sport.

[Courtney]

you wuss. you know what companies like? what companies pay big bucks for? smart people who think for themselves. You're halfway there.

Oh Tom. Perhaps I will put that on my resume:

"Attended Coachella Music Festival 2004-2013, managing travel planning, drinking coordination, and revenue distribution through merchandise purchasing and food consumption."

it's actually a lot easier to take unpaid time if you don't have a job.

This is a solid point. LOANS! It's the American way.

one of the Washington festivals later in the year

I like the sound of this. Go on...

I'm a licensed attorney in California, with specialized focuses in criminal and constitutional law. I can also type 60+ words per minute and am proficient at internet, and I was a state finalist in both the California spelling bee and California ski slalom races.

BOOM.

a bizarro dress code

Isn't this a plus?

[stinkbutt]

I will say though having that path that went from the campgrounds directly to the Sahara made it really easy to avoid the crowds of shutter shades and headdresses

[amyzzz]

Come on, Ivy. It's just sour grapes since you can't go this year.

(I did the same thing in '11)

[chairmenmeow47]

yes, i am bummed about missing the postal service!

[amyzzz]

Leaving Portishead in 08, I was a bit fearful myself because the crowd was so tight waiting for Prince.

Don't grow up, Ivy! Come back next year!

[Gribbz]

yes, i am bummed about missing the postal service!

They'll tour. You'll get a full set too.

[chairmenmeow47]

They'll tour. You'll get a full set too.

that's what i'm hoping for

[guedita]

You all missed a fucking dope sebastiAn set in the Sahara this year. MJA and getbetter can confirm.

[GuyInTucson]

I'm pretty sure everyone will get a similar set of The Postal Service. It's not like their catalog is expansive.

[HowToDisappear]

We're not going, but that's the decision we made after 2010, and we've been fine with it ever since. We watch the live streams of the bands we're interested in, we enjoy it, it's all good, it causes us no undue pain or heartache. Neither of us have any desire to sacrifice vacation time/money to spend three days in the desert with 90,000 other people. (And yes, I know they made changes, and yes, I know they expanded the grounds, etc., but that alters nothing in our minds.)

I'm glad that people go and have fun as always - we had great fun in all the years we attended (well, 2010 wasn't so great) - but the crowds are not our idea of fun anymore. So we see the bands elsewhere, with a full set. (And if it's a venue with at least some seating even better -- our days of standing in the pit are over. )

[santasutt]

I have found the crowds to be perfectly fine in 11 and 12, but that's probably because I never go to the Sahara tent and am usually into the '80s or '90s alt rock era acts that the bros don't care about. I have enough residual patience to make it thru the Arcade Fire or Radiohead type set each year.

This, for the most part.

"Perfectly fine" is a bit of a stretch considering last year's oppressive heat weekend 2.

I've always found refuge and interesting, friendly conversation in the beer gardens.

[TomAz]

Oh Tom. Perhaps I will put that on my resume:

"Attended Coachella Music Festival 2004-2013

oh so you are going this year after all. Excellent news!