25 COACHELLA TIPS FOR THE NEWBIE!

[Philthy]

Coachella is not expensive for people coming from the UK. We get pretty much $2.00 to £1.00. The exchange rate rocks.

[durrrrrrrrdee]

i always bring a bandana as well so when i get hot i can wet it and cool down.

[pretentious]

Grandpa's Tips

1. Fuck a lot of girls

Not just one...a lot of women..

don't show me the pad. i don't want to see the fucking pad.

[C DUB YA]

Which ones?

I don't ever looking directly into the sun, but maybe that's when I'm in one of the tents?

Hmmmmm?

But yes, sunglasses - very good idea, thank god Rage is at night, you'd lose anything that's not strapped down.

[Ineedmorelemons]

Wear interesting clothing.

People love it and you end up starting conversations about it. Last year I happen to be wearing a Man United jersey one day and ended up meeing like 25 people from England that day. Good times.

[asancho]

Great tips guys...thanks

[amyzzz]

Ineedmorelemons, could that be...is that...AN AIDZ NEEDLE on your avatar???

[Ineedmorelemons]

LOL...no, it's a pen actually. I was frustrated at work, and I had a web cam.

[Courtney]

I would add that sunglasses are a must. The way some of the stages are set up, at some point in the day, you will be directly facing the sun.

Wait, whaat? I thought all the stages faced either south or west, meaning that unless you were there for sunrise, the sun would never be directly in your face...

Is my sense of direction totally off?

[C DUB YA]

I didn't think you were in the sun - yeah, you're not

[chunk]

taking a backpack is very cumbersome. i cant really have fun and rock out with a backpack. best is going with someone who has room in their backpack for your sweater or whatever at night.

[fatbastard]

Spend time to plan out who your going to see but remember that some stages are far from one another (example. dance tent to main stage). People never seem to be in the same hurry you are in.

Eat a big breakfast. You may have to drop anchor while your there but at least you won't have to decide later on if you should miss 15 minutes of someone's set because you have to get something to eat.

Get enough rest for the following day(s). The days are long and they take a physical and mental toll. You want to be able to absorb everything being thrown at you.

Experiment and listen to a group that you normally wouldn't. This is the place to develop your music venacular.

Give musicians a chance but move on to another stage ASAP if the group your listening to are just not doing it for you. I have read the message boards rave about a particular group in the past and then find that they're horrible. I felt like I was missing something. You know what I was missing? I was missing a better band at another stage!

Hope this helps.

[ezrakel]

First time going.

Can you smuggle Alcohol in ??

If not ,do they sell more than beer in beer gardens?

Do you have cell coverage ,someone told it wasn't very good at the polo fields ,but they went a few years ago.I have Cingular ??

How hot can it get??

[C DUB YA]

just beer in the gardens

[C DUB YA]

it usually gets to 90-100 during the day (106 in 2004, 102 in 1999)

and it can get down to 60-70 at night.

[GTI_GRL]

As for the big breakfast, eat something that is going to stick and fill you up. I have posted it before, and I will do it again. Go to Augistine Casino thats 3-5 miles south east of the polo field. Take Monroe/Jackson/Jefferson south until Ave 54 and its right past Van Buren. Cafe 54 has $3.99 steak, eggs, and potatoes, between 12am(midnight) until 9am. Money well spent, we hit it up every day.

[GTI_GRL]

I had cingular and it worthless, I would sent a text to a friend right next to me and it would take hours to go through. I even tried sending text via the computers in the ATT room, and that was worthless as well.

If you want to drink, get a good buzz going before you come in, and then just maintane it. And anything is possible in reply to your other question. I had my bag check each day, and was pat down. I saw people drinking vodka etc.. from bottles, so it can be done.

[ezrakel]

Thanks !!for all the help!!

[woogie846]

taking a backpack is very cumbersome. i cant really have fun and rock out with a backpack. best is going with someone who has room in their backpack for your sweater or whatever at night.

I didn't find it a problem at all with taking a very small backpack. Just one small enough for water bottles, merchandise, and money.

[aimes_k]

how much money approx do you think i'll need to bring... total of 3 day food, extra for t-shirts cause i'll definitly have to buy a rage and coup t-shirt

[chunk]

I didn't find it a problem at all with taking a very small backpack. Just one small enough for water bottles, merchandise, and money.

thats the point i was making. if you take one that can fit extra clothes (make sure its within legal limits), then it would be bigger and more cumbersome. then you have to put it on the ground somewhere in sight when youre dancing so you can get your groove on hassle free. too many worries.

[TheJovialsUnite!]

This is obvious but LOTS OF MONEY! T-shirts, CDs, and food add up so fast...

[franny8282]

whats the deal with camping? Is it safe? Is it worth it? would it be better to fork out the money for a hotel? Im down to camp but everyone I'm going with is btiching. are there showers anywhere or are we going to be wet napping it?

thanks.

[justinaqui]

just beer in the gardens

They definitely had margaritas last year, and i'm pretty sure there was wine too. I even remember them having two different sizes until they ran out of big cups.

[Mystagogue]

If you're going to bring & be wearing a backpack, get a lock for it. Most of the time you're going to be packed in like sardines...so if you value your belongings, lock that backpack up.

[SnowShoe]

If you are a man, wear some of those Under Armor bike short things. Especially if you are going multiple days. The walks are long from tents to main stage, and if you are chaffed... you are hatin.

[Mystagogue]

If you are a man, wear some of those Under Armor bike short things. Especially if you are going multiple days. The walks are long from tents to main stage, and if you are chaffed... you are hatin.

Nice!

Here are a couple more tips -

Put sunblock EVERYWHERE. I forgot to do my toes and tops of my feet which were in sandals, and yes, I had sunburned feet. I think my forearms were sunburned too. So, sunblock everywhere that isnt covered by clothing is a must, in my opinion.

As far as hats go, get a lightweight had with a wide brim that goes all the way around to cover your ears and back of your head & neck. I recommend Outdoor Research hats. When you're not wearing it, it can be rolled or crumbled up and put into your pocket or backpack. Something like this.

[Balthazar B]

If in doubt...

bring yer mum (or 'mom' if yer a Seppo).

[erikstoltz]

Can you smuggle Alcohol in ??

What about pot?

[tiffdud41]

last year at the end of the fest somebody gave me a business card sized, laminated set schedule. I thoguht that was a pretty awesome idea since my paper copy had turned all crusty from being next to my sweaty asscheek all weekend.