Coachella, the annual music and arts festival in California, is known for bringing together some of the biggest names in music and providing unforgettable experiences for festival-goers. However, one attendee’s experience at the festival didn’t quite live up to expectations. After purchasing a burrito and iced coffee, she was shocked to discover the extortionate price she had to pay. Her tweet about the incident quickly went viral, sparking a conversation about the high cost of food and drinks at music festivals.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a world-famous California music festival, is known for not only its impressive lineup of musical acts but also its extravagant food and drink prices. Recently, a TikTok video about the exorbitant food and drink costs at the festival went viral garnering hundreds of thousands of likes.
In the video, TikTok user Jackie Tanti stated: “Just so you all know, these two coffees and two burritos cost us $64. Capitalism really popped off today.” The astronomical price is equivalent to approximately €58. Other TikTok users also shared their pricey meals at the festival, with one user revealing that a double vodka with Red Bull cost $26, curly fries with chili and cheese cost $24, a bánh mì cost $22, and a BBQ mac and cheese also cost $22. Another viewer commented, “You could literally buy an entire bottle of vodka for $26.” While the prices may seem outrageous, it is important to note that it is not uncommon for food and drink prices to be inflated at large events, especially festivals.
Aside from its high prices, Coachella is also known for its impressive lineup of musical performances. This year, the festival is headlined by Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny on each Friday, K-pop girl group Blackpink on each Saturday, and enigmatic R&B star Frank Ocean on each Sunday. Among the lineup this year are a number of British exports, including Gorillaz, The Chemical Brothers, SG Lewis, Idris Elba, Charli XCX, Yungblud, and more.
General admission tickets for the next weekend are on sale on the Coachella website for $549 (€500), while VIP tickets cost $1,069 (€973). The festival recently finished its first weekend and will return from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, April 23, with the same artists performing at both shows.
In addition to the abundance of music and pricey food and drinks, festival-goers are seen wearing daring and fashionable outfits. From studded bikinis to neon green mesh tops, the festival encourages attendees to express themselves through their style. Coachella has become the premier festival of its kind, setting the tone for music festivals worldwide with its trendsetting fashion and lineups.
However, the festival has also faced accusations of being exclusive to certain people. For example, celebrities have been accused of using their wealth to access exclusive areas, such as VIP lounges and parties, which are not available to the general public. Plus, Coachella’s location in the affluent Coachella Valley means it is not necessarily accessible to everyone. The festival is held in a desert region of southern California, which can be expensive to travel to for those on a tight budget.
Despite the criticisms, Coachella remains one of the most popular music festivals in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year. The festival’s extravagance, along with its musical performances and fashion, ensures its place in pop culture, with countless people striving to attend each year. Even with its high prices, many festival-goers are willing to shell out the money for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the world-renowned Coachella.
In conclusion, the story of the Coachella fan who shared the outrageous price of a burrito and iced coffee serves as a cautionary tale to all festival-goers. It’s becoming increasingly common for vendors to jack up prices during events like Coachella, and it’s important for attendees to be aware of this and budget accordingly. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the festival atmosphere, it’s important to remember that being financially responsible can save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. Hopefully, this story will encourage festival organizers to take a closer look at vendor prices and make sure they’re reasonable for everyone involved.
