Everything You Need To Know About Coachella 2022

So you've scored tickets to Coachella, the Californian desert festival frequented by A-listers including Kate Bosworth, Diane Kruger, Kendall Jenner, Cameron Diaz and the Hadid sisters. Headlined this year by Billie Eilish, Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd and... HARRY STYLES – it's set to be a weekend (or two) to remember. But before you pack your flower crown (and really, do you have to?) and book your flights to Palm Springs, here's everything you need to know to survive the coolest festival since Glastonbury...

When did Coachella start?

The inaugural Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival began 1999, with an event spanning two days in October. In 2001, it returned as a one-day event, before reverting back to two days the next year. Since 2007, it's been a three day affair. The two-weekend format started in 2012.

Why is it so popular?

We can't remember exactly when Coachella became The Festival Everyone Wanted To Go To, but it was probably around the time that Instagram took off - suddenly, every A-lister in Hollywood seemed to be there, sharing pictures of the sun-drenched, stylish festival.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets usually go on sale in January. Akin to Glastonbury, tickets often sell out at an incredible pace - usually dependant on the headliners. 2017 tickets sold out in 3 hours thanks to the Beyhive, while 2015's line-up of Drake, AC-DC and Jack White sold out in a record-breaking 40 minutes. Best be sat ready waiting to refresh your page (the F5 key is your friend) the moment they go on sale.

Is VIP worth it?

If you want access to the front of stage, a separate bar and different food trucks, plus more toilets, with less queues, then we reckon yes - it's worth it for you. If you're happy slumming it with the normals, then by all means, slum away. (This is Coachella, not Reading Festival, after all, so 'slumming it' isn't really the same as it is for us at UK festivals...)

What else is going on?

There are always various activations going on around Coachella, and this year HUGO are sure to put on the best parties in town.

The brand will host a series of events in Palm Springs, including 'HUGO house' a creative hub for TikTokers and talents, plus their exclusive HUGO x Soho Desert House pop up on the radar of millions of festivalgoers.

When is it?

This year's Coachella festival will be taking place across two weekends again, 15-17th April and 22-24th April, with the performers remaining the for both.

Who's headlining?

While Billie Eilish, Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd and Harry Styles are headlining, let's not forget about who else is performing...

And who else is performing?

To name a few: Doja Cat, Daniel Caesar, Meghan The Stallion, Disclosure, Jamie xx, Flume. Something for everyone.

How do I get there?

Taking place in the picturesque surroundings of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, the nearest airport to the festival is Palm Springs, however there aren't any direct flights there from the UK (plus those with connections often end up being in the region of £100 more expensive). Instead, most people fly to nearby Los Angeles, hire a car, and drive.

Where should I stay?

Little known fact: you can camp at Coachella. Yes, like any regular festival, there's the option of pitching a tent - despite the fact that almost everyone seems to stay in a hotel. Speaking of, the most popular are the achingly hip Ace Hotel, the highly-Instagrammable Saguaro Hotel (it has rainbow-coloured exterior walls) and appropriately rock'n'roll Hard Rock Hotel, each of which offers a shuttle service to and from the festival. If you're looking for an 'authentic' festival experience but don't know the first thing about camping, there is always glamping - the Lake Eldorado site is over-18s only and has ready-pitched tipis and safari-style tents sleeping up to four people.

What should I wear?

Let's face it, Coachella is basically a fashion parade (and is 100% accountable for the flower crown trend), with the aesthetic being pretty boho. The official uniform consists of frayed denim shorts, floaty floral dresses, cowboy boots, fringed jackets and plenty of jewellery. A word to the wise: even though this is the desert, the temperature does drop at night, meaning you should definitely taken a sweater and jacket. Also: don't wear flip-flops, you will get trodden on.

What's 'Nochella'?

Nochella refers to all the after-parties that take place in Indio and Palm Springs during the festival, often frequented by people who don't even have tickets to Coachella. It's basically a spin-off for people who want to get in on the action but forgot to actually get tickets.