Too Old for Coachella? A Real Coachella Experience with My Daughters

“Too Old for Coachella? A Real Coachella Experience with My Daughters”

One might take a look at my IG post and think, isn’t she too old to be going to Coachella? Or even better: you’re going to that over-commercialized, expensive, influencer-filled festival?

To that I say…lol, you sound like a grouchy hater. Hold my beer while I make my case.

Four years ago, for my youngest daughter’s 16th birthday, she wanted nothing more than to see Frank Ocean. She had a long standing love for his music and it was a staple for her over the lockdown that is COVID. So, we decided to go out on a limb and buy her a ticket. Since there is no way she was going alone, we bought her sister one too and just like that my 16 and 17 year old daughters were off to the unknown land of the Coachella Music Festival.

The amount of side-eye I got from that was insane.

Despite the fact that Frank Ocean ended up dropping out (which was seriously the very first true heartbreak I ever witnessed from my daughter…we can unpack later) it was such an unforgettable adventure.

The next year, we found some brave souls to join us. This time the adults were going and we were going to brave car camping! Yep, three middle aged ladies that have almost no experience camping with our three daughters (porta-potties and all). Needless to say…success!

The next year (as true pros) we braved the windy nights and rocked out to Lady Gaga and Green Day. This time were generously upgraded to VIP and my older daughter even made the Coachella IG page (no big deal she’s famous now, lol)

This year, at the continued generosity of our camping comrades, we did some upgraded glamping which deserves its own blog post! But today, I want to talk about why Coachella is pretty amazing.

First, wifi kinda sucks (did you see what Justin Bieber said in his set?). But that’s what’s so fun! No phone service, no scrolling…just magic.

Second, it’s incredibly gorgeous. The art installs, the green grass, the pop-ups..the food! Yes, it’s pricey but it’s also VERY well done. Kinda like how we all bitch about the cost of Disneyland but then we go and we’re like: they sure do a great job here.

Third, you get to witness young artists. From the unknown one that is on the stage at 1pm with 10 people in their audience, to being a sardine watching Sabrina Carpenter…they’re all putting their best foot forward. Young, talented people on full display putting their most beloved craft out into the world. Who can be mad at that?

To the curmudgeon that says young people are: fill in the blank I say to you…the kids are ok. They are creative, passionate, KIND, deep, respectful, smart, savvy and honestly unafraid to be themselves.

That’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about. BE YOU, BE BRAVE, TAKE A SWING!

Whether that means wearing ass-less chaps, or becoming possessed by the beats of EDM, singing your mother-f**king heart out, or standing on justice...there is no denying these young people are unafraid to let themselves be all of themselves and that’s the kind of energy that changes things. We’re absolutely never too old to EXPERIENCE…

See ya next year Coachella!