Coachella started as a music festival focused on smaller bands, giving emerging artists a big stage to perform on. Over the years, it has evolved into an event that attracts global attention. Coachella is still focused on music, but has grown to care just as much, if not more, about fashion, influencers, and brand promotions.
From enjoying live music in the California desert to attracting the biggest celebrities, Coachella has turned into an influencer hotspot. Instagram and TikTok are filled with content from influencers posting about their experiences, outfits, and sponsorships from various brands attempting to gain more popularity. In 2025, the festival brought together some of the biggest artists. Lady Gaga started off Friday night with an amazing show, complete with costume changes, and surprised the audience by inviting Brian May on stage. Post Malone, Green Day, and Travis Scott also played, giving a variety of music, from country to hip hop.
In the 2000s, outfits worn to Coachella were casual, like denim shorts and graphic tees. Now, many people plan their outfits months before, and wear custom made pieces. This year, the “jellyfish haircut” became a big trend. This look was inspired by Lady Gaga and was seen on many people who attended. Many wore glittery makeup and jewels to decorate their faces. Festival fashion has become so important that many people don’t even come for the music, but to make a fashion statement. In a 2023 survey, over 40 percent of the crowd at Coachella said fashion was just as important as music. One in five said it was one of the biggest reasons they went.
Social media expanded the hype of Coachella—in just 2024, there were over 6 million posts tagged with “#Coachella” and thousands of views on related videos. Nowadays, it’s not just about watching artists play but also about getting the attention of followers and brands.
Brands like Revolve, H&M, and Sephora are well informed about Coachella’s power. They host parties and pop-ups exclusive to influencers and select people. Some influencers make thousands of dollars from just one Coachella post, turning it into a money making opportunity for many. Many people agree that Coachella 2025 easily balanced the old and new parts of it.
Many still describe Coachella as a festival of music. It will be interesting to watch how growing trends influence Coachella. With celebrities like Beyonce, Travis Scott, and Bad Bunny performing in the last few years, it’s good to know that music is still a center of attraction, though often drawn away by fashion and influencers.
