Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert

Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert examines the twenty-year history of the Coachella music festival, which takes place annually in Indio, California. Split into five sections, the documentary explores different periods of Coachella, from its inception in 1999 to its most recent festival in 2019. The film predominantly focuses on Goldenvoice, the concert promotion company that created the famed music festival.

The first two sections of the film cover the early years of the festival, including its many financial issues and failures, as shared in interviews with the festival’s founders. The following sections explore Coachella’s successful years and its transformation into the festival it is today. The documentary highlights the inclusion of EDM and hip-hop, as well as the desire among younger audiences for more mainstream artists to perform. It also notes the increasing diversity of artists who take to the stage and offers a glimpse into Coachella’s bright future.