Coachella 2015: Top 10 Highlights
As the Californian sun sets on the second weekend of Coachella, we thought we'd take the moment to look back at the highlights of the 2015 edition of the most Instagram-able festival of the year. From rock legends to rockstuds, Kanye to kale chips, here's all the fashion, news and music moments that will go down in the Coachella annuls…
Getty ImagesDrake and Madonna
The biggest news story of the festival came courtesy of Madonna, 56, apparently ‘face-raping’ Drake, 28. After on-stage footage of Drake’s apparent disgust at being kissed by the Material Girl emerged, the debate raged for days. If Madonna had been a middle aged man ‘surprising’ a younger woman with a snog, might the reaction have been different? Drake responded on social media urging commentators not to judge his reaction saying,"Don't misinterpret my shock!! I got to make out with the queen Madonna and I feel 100 about that forever. Thank you @madonna". Madonna responded with a series of Instagram posts bemoaning the lack of solidarity between artists, unapologetically defending her performance and criticising the media’s sexism and ageism. Either way the kiss certainly generated column (and pixel) inches.
Getty ImagesThe Catering
If you’re a festival veteran, you’ll be used to the actually dirty burgers and warm beers served up at most of the food and drink stalls. Of course there are exceptions – Wilderness’ stellar line up of foodie tents, for example – but you don’t usually expect fine dining – or anything remotely healthful. Coachella is a different story. From organic flatbread pizzas, coconut water stands, dairy free ice-creams and even agave margaritas, the food outlets here seem to have been dreamt up by Gwyneth. We even indulged in some Napa Valley wine tasting.
Rex FeaturesThe Kardashians
It is a truth universally acknowledged that where there are flashbulbs, there are Kardashians. During weekend one we spotted the younger members of the clan, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, knocking around with Justin Bieber (who was apparently ejected from the Coachella site in a headlock – something we would have paid to have seen). The sisters were wearing a selection of ensembles including cropped suede jackets and mom jeans, peppermint coloured hair and pale Timberlands. The next week brought Khloe K to town to see brother in law Kanye crash The Weekend’s set for an un-missable surprise performance. KK sister outfits choices included a lace bodysuit, a jersey tie dress and a band tee accessorised with some seriously heavy silverware. Best call it Koachella from now on….
Getty ImagesThe Pool Parties
Located about 40 minutes away, the resort town of Palm Springs is one of the most architecturally impressive spots in the world – lending itself to epic pool parties. We stopped in at the R29xAOK party at the Saguaro Hotel, the H&M pool party at The Parker and the incredible Soho Desert House, back in Indio for the #CoachBackstage soiree. Entrance to the magical Soho House outpost was highly coveted for both the incredible lake views and the complimentary cocktails and delicious food.
thirdmanrecordsofficial/InstagramJack White’s Phone-phobia
The scapegoat of all things wrong with modern culture and indeed music festivals, the selfie-stick, was banned from this year’s Coachella. Of course it didn’t stop approximately 42 billion selfies being taken over the weekend, but it did perhaps serve to placate artists who are becoming used to performing to a sea of phones. Jack White was perhaps the most outspoken asking his audience to, ‘Clap your hands and put your cell phones down for five seconds,” as he closed the first weekend of music. No-one listened – this is Coachella – and White announced a hiatus from live performing.
Getty ImagesCalifornia Dreaming
When we say Coachella is an Instagram paradise, we really do mean it. From the photogenic wind farms on the ride into the desert to the biggest Ferris wheel in America, the palm lined venue – which is actually a polo club for the rest of the year- is lush and beautifully maintained. The portaloos are even clean and as there is no camping, there is very little rubbish anywhere. Plus the sun shines all day long. No wonder it’s so damn expensive.
Getty ImagesFlorence’s Epic performance…and subsequent broken foot
Florence Welch of Florence & The Machine isn’t one for half measures when it comes to live performance. Continually jumping off the stage, and dancing up a storm, the whole crowd were cheering her on at her first weekend gig. Sadly one of the jumps broke her foot, so for the second weekend’s performance she had to be carried on to the stage by band mate Robert Ackroyd. Always the trooper, Florence performed an equally great (though slightly less energetic) set the second time around. Bless.
Getty ImagesThe Cliches
There’s no avoiding it, Coachella is a C-list-celebrity-rubberneck-fest complete with bros in neon vests and bulging muscles and gaggles of girls that look like they’re on a hen do during Spring break in Las Vegas. For every true music lover, or actually cool outfits, there are multiple selfie addicts and dodgy dressers. The key is to go with it and not even attempt to fight it. Coachella is not Glastonbury – there will never be any grit, mainly because of the stringent alcohol consumption rules (remember you have to be 21 to drink in the US). It’s also only a couple of hours from LA, the home of reality TV and all things shiny. Coachella-hate while not a crime is a bit of a waste of time – far better to get lost in LA LA land for a weekend and don a fringed waistcoat.
Getty ImagesThe Models
Ok, as a fashion title we come into contact with models more often than most, but outside of fashion week, Coachella must have the highest catwalk population of anywhere in the world. While it isn’t great for the ol’ self esteem to be queuing for a Malibu and coke next to a woman whose legs start at your shoulder height, there’s no doubt that seeing these packs of Amazonians wafting around the desert is a sight to behold. From Alessandra Ambrosio to Gigi Hadid to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, it was impossible to choose between (or avoid) the Coachella beauty queens. We just weren’t going to ask for a picture with them.
lusttforlife/InstagramBlogger-Chic
Los Angeles is not short of incredible bloggers and they were all in attendance at LA’s version of fashion week. We spotted Chiara Ferrangi in lace up suede shorts and an embellished waistcoat, Olivia Lopez of @lusttforlife in a white Tularosa peasant blouse and Courtney Trop of @alwaysjudging in a suede overall dress. All sure to be coming to a Pintrest board near you.
