Sasha Nikanova
Senior Staff Writer
April was a time full of social gatherings and music festivals, most prominently Coachella during the weekend of April 11 and April 18, and Stagecoach between April 25 and 27. Coachella, as one of the biggest musical and arts festivals in the U.S., continues to annually draw the youth to Coachella Valley, California, encouraging them to dress up in fashionable outfits, let loose with their friends, and attend concerts performed by world-recognized stars, such as Lady Gaga and Charli XCX. Stagecoach, on the other hand, offers a more family-friendly and niche atmosphere, encouraging country music lovers from all age groups to flock to Empire Polo Club, which is where both Coachella and Stagecoach were held this year.
UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) students took full advantage of these offerings, spending their weekends dancing with friends, listening to their favorite artists, and making new connections with like-minded people. Julian Alexandrov, a first-year student at UCSB, attended Coachella for the first weekend and reflected on his experience in an interview with The Bottom Line, “I attended a set that I didn’t expect to go to, it was by Mau P. It turned out to be amazing! It was so surprising because I didn’t [know] about him, but it was quite fun. I am going to see him again this summer!” Mau P, a DJ and producer from the Netherlands, performed an EDM set at the Sahara Tent, including widely known songs such as “Everything in Its Right Place” by Radiohead and his original single “Drugs From Amsterdam.”
When asked about his favorite moments from his weekend, Alexandrov said that his favorite set was Lady Gaga’s: “I cannot imagine a better headliner than Lady Gaga. It was like a theatrical performance the whole time; every single second was planned out, and the actual stage was like an opera house.” Not only did she perform twenty-two songs in five sets, but she also switched between flamboyant costumes, such as crutches and armor for “Papparazzi”, and used risky props like a sandbox and a skeleton for “Perfect Celebrity” and “Disease”. She also invited some famous artists, like Billie Eilish and Troye Sivan, as guest performers for one of her sets.
Alexandrov mentioned that a multitude of companies, such as Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, and White Claw, hosted exclusive afterparties, though “tickets, however, are quite expensive for them. Between 200 and 600 dollars. For one, you even need a membership on an app.” Overall, he had such a good experience that no matter what the line-up turns out to be for next year, he is already registering for the ticket pre-sale.
Two weeks later, Leni Mullen, a first-year UCSB student, had the time of her life at Stagecoach, which she said “was very different from Coachella, which is very rave-y. Stagecoach is a lot more mellow. You’re really there for the music and the vibe. It’s refreshing to be there with a bunch of people who are all there for a common reason.” Mullen explained that ever since she was a kid, country has been her favorite music genre. Her parents, who share her love for country music, inspired her to return to Stagecoach this year. She commented that her parents “are the life of the party, always the first ones in and the last ones out. I love having that time to bond with them, especially now that I am in college.”
For Mullen, Stagecoach is not only a fun party but also a place to network. This year, she sat next to an entertainment lawyer who was representing one of the bands at Stagecoach. Mullen said, “I asked her about her experience. She ended up giving me her contact information, so it’s such an incredible opportunity if you find the right people.”
Among many unforgettable memories that Mullen shared with her family and friends, her most special moment was listening to Luke Combs, who, along with Zach Bryan and Jelly Roll, was one of the main performers on the lineup. “It was a really wholesome experience. We sang our hearts out, I cried, I laughed, I went through all the emotions during his set. It was very inspiring.”
When asked about what advice she would give to someone going to Stagecoach next year, Mullen recommended, “Experience a little bit more in every aspect. You have to go to the Palomino Tent because a lot of the time, there are bigger-named artists that aren’t necessarily country-focused, like Lana del Rey this year.” She also expressed her admiration for the local vendors who arrive at Stagecoach and sell unique, often handmade, merchandise. As Mullen said, “There’s amazing food there, you’ve got funny hats, funny shirts, things that you just can’t find anywhere else. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; everybody’s going to be really nice to you.”
For closing remarks, she mentioned that at Stagecoach, “you almost find yourself a little bit,” which sums up the emotions that both Mullen and Alexandrov seem to have experienced during Stagecoach and Coachella. Whether you are an avid music fan or a person who knows nothing about pop culture, an extrovert who enjoys large crowds or an introvert who prefers making one-on-one connections, these two musical festivals offer an engaging time and a place of belonging for everyone.