Yay, its coachella people! The biggest music and Art festival on the Planet. COACHELLA Festival for Music and Arts.
Everyone is still hyped by the electricfying performances from the Queen of Pop Beyonce who also used the platform for her Homecoming Live Album. The line up has been insane with A list artistes like Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Ariana Grande, Aphex Twin, the 1975, Kid Cudi, Pusha-T, Mac DeMarco, and so many more. Also not forgeting our very own Burna boy Mr Eazi who both had amazing performances at the event.
Like most people we are only talking about the airtists, which is not true! Coachella isn’t about the music alone but also about Arts. and that is why it is called COACHELLA Festival for music and Arts.
BRIEF HISTORY ABOUT COACHELLA
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual Music and Arts Festival held at the Coachella valley in the Colorado Desert. Coachella festival dates back to a 1993 concert that Pearl Jam performed at the Empire Polo Club while boycotting venues controlled by Ticketmaster.
This Validated their ability to hold large events. And then led to the First Coachella Festival which was held for two days in October 1999. In the year 2000 there was no Coachella. Here comes April 2001, the festival was back and better but only as a day event. Later in 2002, Coachella reverted to a two-day format.
It then grew to a third day in 2007 and much later to a second weekend in 2012. And as of 2019, it is being help for consecutive three-day weekends in April, with each weekend having identical lineups. We just witnessed one this past weekend and here comes another starting from 19th to 21st of April.
WHERE IS THE ART IN COACHELLA?
A lot of people really don’t look out for the Art anymor, attention is fixed only on musical performances. But really, isn’t it the art that has transformed coachella into what we have today? The massive structures, paintings and deigns. The camping places does say a lot about coachella being an Art Festival too.
There are art designs installed in the background of nearly every photo spot. And considering the massive exposure that comes with being able to showcase at the prestigious event. You will agree with me that being able to showcase at Coachella is a massive boost for any artist, designer, and architect.
Artists and architects have all been impressive. Just to mention a few: Francis Kéré with his work “Sarbalé ke”, Peggy Noland with Foiled Plan, And a host of other spetacular structures are all present at the event.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME?
So basically for us as Nigerians, this year’s Coachella is a must see because we have two big Artists representing Nigeria at the festival. And if they are representing us, then they are also doing it for the Continent of Africa. The internet was thrown into a frenzy when the line ups were announced featuring two Nigerian Acts.
The effect of them being on the list of performing acts can already be seen. During the event, Mr Eazi was seen chatting with american sensation actor and musician Jaden Smith. These are basically the things and kind of progress we want for our Artists, making us proud all over the world.
While commending these two great musicians for a job well done, We are anticipating more of such collaborations with our Artists, designers and architects at international levels. And we believe that hopefully in the coming ones, more will be featured not just at Coachella but also at other prestigious events like this one.
2019 Coachella ends today but already has so many mouth opening experiences. And this year’s highlight seems to be Beyonce’s surprise Homecoming Live Album although it hasn’t ended yet. But what could ever overshadow the queen of pop!
Catch up on the Coachella 2019 moments and the Grand finale today by checking their page on instagram and twitter @coachella.
You can let us know what you think about African acts being featured in the festival, especially Nigerians in Coachella. And which artist(s) would have you have preferred to represent us!
Happy Easter Nomads!
