MF #27
Coachella 2019 – Weekend 2
Date
April 7th – 14th, 2019
Location
Indio, California
Reason
Pro Systems
I was back in San Diego recovering from Weekend 1 of Coachella for only a single day when my friend Corbin hit me up. He was visiting San Diego for a work trip and wanted to hear about my Coachella experience. He had some free time so we met up at Cabrillo National Monument for an afternoon hike.
Corbin was more than just curious. He and his girlfriend Christina were headed to Coachella for Weekend 2 and wanted to be prepared. Happy to share, I was busy telling him all about the best sets of the weekend when I got the text. Yet again, someone needed to turn the lights on and off on Beyonce’s Pyramid. That someone was me. I was headed back to Coachella for Weekend 2!
I let Cobrin know the good news that I would be joining him at Coachella this weekend. We said our goodbyes, made plans to meet up on site at the festival, and I went home to prepare for another wild adventure.
Once again, I packed my freshly washed clothes into a suitcase, prepared the back of my car for camping, and got all my camera gear together. Over the previous weekend I had been in and out of my backpack hundreds of times constantly pulling my camera from my bag to capture photographs, before stashing it back inside for safety. Recognizing a need for a better solution, especially when I found myself in tight crowds, I ordered the Peak Design Camera Clip.
With this metal clip, I could securely lock my camera to my bag and release it with the push of a button. Thankfully, it arrived less than 24 hours after I placed my order (thank you Mr. Bezos). I set up the clip on my shoulder strap on my Camelbak Backpack. With the camera locked in place, it sat securely on my chest. I could unlock it with the push of a button. This was way more convenient than reaching in and out of my bag and I was excited to test it out properly.
As I was grabbing my camera gear, I grabbed my old DSLR Camera as a backup just in case. While I had been leaving it behind at home, with this many days on the road at a music festival in the desert, I wanted to be extra prepared.
The best part about going back to a music festival for the second weekend in a row is that the hard work is already out of the way. In our case, all of our equipment was already set up. All we had to do was take off a few covers, plug the power in, and fire things back up. With this in mind, we didn’t head back to Coachella until Thursday morning, the day before the show.
We arrived on site Thursday afternoon and were relieved to find that all of our equipment was right where we left it. Without any emergencies and with everything going to plan, we had things set up and running in only a few hours.
I went to bed that night buzzing with excitement. I just had the best time working at Coachella only a few days prior. Now I was about to do it all over again.
I checked my phone in the morning and found an interesting message in my Instagram account. Over the past few days I posted several photos from the previous weekend online. While they had gotten a few likes, nothing went viral. I was surprised to see a message from Cole, the manager of Clozee, inquiring if I would be around the festival grounds on weekend 2.
I messaged him back confirming that I was on site. I also sent additional images from Clozee’s set weekend one. Shockingly, I received an invitation to photograph Clozee’s set for weekend two. Cole even offered to throw me $100 for the effort. I was already getting paid to be there, so I told him to keep the money and I would see him on Saturday.
The festival gates had not opened to the public and somehow things were already off to an amazing start.
Taking advantage of the production access, I headed into the festival around 10:00 am. I spent the morning hanging with the guys at Heineken House just waiting for the show to start.
With the gates open to the crowds, it was my time to join the event. I said goodbye to our crew, wished them good luck and told them I would be back at 10:00 pm.
Just like last weekend, I made my way over to the Sahara Stage, this time arriving early enough to catch the entire JAUZ set. I clipped my camera to my shoulder and headed into the crowd. I made my way dead center, unclipped my camera, and started shooting.
JAUZ opens up Weekend 2 of Coachella 2019
This was amazing! I could dance while keeping my eye on the stage. If something visually exciting happened, my camera was in my hands in 5 seconds. No more going in and out of my bag.
I did my best to photograph the JAUZ and Fisher sets before heading off to Beyonce’s Pyramid to turn the lights on. I flipped the lights on and made my way to the Do Lab Stage. While most of the stages keep the same lineup from Weekend 1 to Weekend 2, the Do Lab changes things up. The Floozies were here for weekend 2 and I had to see the show.
Just like they always do, The Floozies played an incredibly funky and fun dance set. The highlight of the show were the acrobats. Suspended above the crowd, two female dancers shared a spinning hoop showcasing joint aerial acrobatics.
Acrobats perform with The Floozies at the Do Lab Stage
Of all the giant stages at Coachella, the Do Lab is my favorite. It’s small, intimate, funky, and has a killer lineup of heady music. It’s not a dome, but it’s not outside either. It’s a tent shade structure that shelters you from the rest of the festival but still leaves you exposed to the environment. And the best part, if you can get back stage, they have free drinks and buckets of Yerba Mate.
With my production wristband, I made sure to swing backstage and stock up on Yerba. They’re my favorite type of caffeine and I was still feeling worn out from the previous weekend.
With my caffeine levels topped off, I met up with Cobrin and Christina. While we considered heading to another set, someone in the group recommended we just head towards the main stage to get a good spot for Childish Gambino.
There was a massive thrust on the stage for the Childish Gambino. This walkway extended hundreds of feet into the crowd with multiple T-shaped sections. We were nestled up in between two of these sections as the crowds started to fill in.
The show was still 20 minutes out but the crowd had filled in. We were in a great spot. I loaded my camera up on my shoulder and got ready for the show.
This performance was insane! Childish talked about how much this show meant to him, how nervous he felt before the show, and how excited he was to share his message with the audience. That’s part of the reason why the show was so special. There was an actual message. Childish mentioned the recent losses in his life, how all we have is our memories, and that the most important thing we can do is make more of them.
While the message resonated, I still attempted to capture more than just a memory. I was looking for that perfect photo. I think I got it.
My favorite concert photograph – Childish Gambino – Coachella 2019 w2
This is my single favorite concert photograph I have ever taken. I liked it so much I put it on my first round of business cards. This photograph made me believe that I could be a concert photographer. If I keep putting myself in the right spots, I have the skills to capture something special.
I woke up to an empty campsite the next morning. Our crew reported to work at Heineken House at 9:00 am, leaving me behind with nothing to do. Thankfully, Corbin had invited me to his friend’s house who had a swimming pool. I made the 10 minute drive into a local neighborhood and pulled up to an extremely nice home. It’s always nice to have nice friends.
We all hung out in the backyard of this Palm Springs property, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. I met the rest of the group who were all very casual music festival fans. I spent 15 hours on site the previous day. The girl who’s house we were partying at had only gone to the festival grounds for three hours. She was complaining how exhausting it was as I just chuckled to myself.
While I was hanging poolside, Cole texted me about the upcoming photoshoot for Clozee. Turns out that while I was welcome to photograph the set, he really needed a photograph for his best friend’s engagement. His friend was planning on popping the question tonight. Cole asked if I knew any good photogenic spots for a proposal near the Sahara Stage. I offered up Beyonce’s Pyramid sending a photograph of the stage. Cole sent the location to his friend for approval and we got the green light a few minutes later. The plan was on.
With the hot part of the day past, it was time to head back to the festival ground. I had my amazing parking pass so I was able to drive Cobrin and Christina right up to the Sahara Stage. We all piled out of my car and I directed the group to head towards FKJ. Sensing that it was going to be a strange day, I decided to take a small tab of acid. Not enough to be messed up, but enough to have a heightened sense of others.
This FKJ set was stunning, but it didn’t have quite the magic of the week before. There were no surprise guests. FKJ played the entire show solo. While I admired the artistic mastery behind the performance, there were some members of our group looking for high energy dance music. This certainly didn’t fit the bill, so our group started to fracture as members headed in their own directions.
I wasn’t concerned with sticking with a group. I had my own plans. I was set to photograph the Clozee show. I felt nervous as I made my way towards the Sahara Stage. I was finally getting an opportunity to photograph for an official artist! Not just any artist, it was one of favorites and at the biggest music festival in the world. This was the dream.
I met up with Cole backstage at the Sahara Stage. Despite my production wristbands, security was so strict at the Sahara Stage that Cole had to come escort me backstage. I met Clozee, or Chloe who welcomed me to the group with ease. I met Austin and Megan, our soon-to-be engaged couple. I could see how nervous Austin was for the occasion and how he didn’t want to let it slip early. Sensing his discomfort, I felt more at ease and slid right into the conversation, feeling rather comfortable despite my early jitters.
About 20 minutes before the show it was time for me to head out. The final minutes before the show are for the artist to be with themselves. I headed out towards the stage where Sheck Wes was still performing. Coming from the artist compound, I was able to slide around the stage into a super VIP area right up front.
I hung out in this area with about 20 other people and soon started snapping photographs of the show. I wanted to be prepared for Clozee’s performance. As I snapped away, I must have attracted the attention of a rather intense security guard.
The Last Photograph I Took Before Getting Captured by Security – Sheck Wes
Despite an armful of 20+ wristbands, this security guard noticed that I was lacking an official photographer’s armband. Apparently it went around the upper arm. I had photographed 5 full days of this festival without issue and of course now, right before the show I was running into issues.
Sensing that this guy was going to be a problem, I attempted to remove myself from the situation. I walked away into the crowd in an attempt to escape. Unfortunately, this guy thought he was James Bond and made a sprint into the crowd to grab me by the back of the backpack.
This was all rather insane. I was invited to be there! I started explaining that I was just doing my job. The security wasn’t hearing it. He dragged me backstage where Cole spotted my predicament and attempted to intervene. He told them that I was their photographer and that I was invited to shoot the show, but the security guard was determined to kick me out.
He and another guard loaded me up on a golf cart and drove me all the way around the festival grounds towards the media tent. Along the way the asshole security guard told me, “Only real photographers get to photograph Coachella.” Where do they find these lovely individuals?
Getting Captured by Security for Photographing without Proper Credentials
Arriving at the media tent I switched on. While I could be an asshole to douchebag security guards, the media team mattered. I put on my most polite manners as I explained my situation to Natalie, the head of the media team. She checked my credentials and calmed down a bit when she noticed that my wristband was direct from Heineken, one of the largest sponsors of the event. I explained that I was staff and in charge of a whole stage. I mentioned how if they threw me out it would mess up the show. I also explained yet again that I was invited to photograph this set by the artists team.
With that all out the way, things calmed down. I was allowed to stay on site, but I had lost my camera privileges for the night. The worst part of the situation came when Natalie informed me that she would be confiscating my memory card. I almost cried. I explained that she was taking away my art, but she told me they couldn’t allow it.
With my camera in a locker and my SD card confiscated, I was finally released back to the festival. This was a shit show! I was supposed to be photographing a proposal right now and I didn’t have a camera.
I practically ran across the festival grounds towards the Sahara stage, arriving just in time to switch on the lights on Beyonce’s Pyramid before it got dark. I then sprinted back to Heineken House in an attempt to borrow a Kubota. I had my backup camera stashed at the RVs, but it would be way too far of a walk for my schedule.
Luckily it was unused and I was able to make the mile drive back to the RVs to pick up my old camera, then drove back to Heineken House returning the Kubota to the team before finally running all the way back to the Sahara Stage.
I arrived back to the stage just as Clozee was finishing up her set. Not wanting to bother Cole any further, I snuck backstage around the far side of the Sahara Stage and soon joined the group at her artist trailer.
Having just played a Coachella set, Clozee was on cloud 9. She greeted me with a big hug asking me what I thought of the show? I explained that security almost threw me out, but I was sure it was amazing. Cole backed me up, mentioned how he tried to stop it, and said that he was surprised to see me get out of it. We all laughed as I explained the insanity that had just taken place.
Cole was smooth. He mentioned how we should all go check out Beyonce’s Pyramid as he heard it was close by. This got the group moving towards our ultimate destination. Everyone was in on the proposal plan except for Megan. Arriving at the pyramid, I showed the group how to get on stage before slipping out front to photograph.
As Megan and Austin climbed onto the stage, the rest of the group climbed down, allowing the happy couple their moment. Austin took Megan to the very top before getting down on one knee and popping the question. She said YES and the two embraced under the starlight.
Austin proposes to Megan on top of Beyonce’s Pyramid
I snapped away, attempting to capture the scene as best I could. With the question answered, Megan and Austin climbed down from the stage and our group made its way back towards the festival.
While I was tempted to stick with the group, the responsibility of being the photographer was weighing on me. I already had one camera confiscated tonight. I wasn’t about to lose a second one especially with pictures this important. I said goodbye to the group, walked straight towards my car, and backed up the photos onto my laptop and an external hard drive.
With the engagement photos secure, it was finally time to go have some fun. The day had been too crazy! I needed to blow off some steam. I completed the last of my responsibilities by swinging by Heineken House and helping them load out for the night.
I then texted Natalie asking if I could come retrieve my camera. She agreed and told me to come by the media tent. I made my way over, once again apologizing for not following the rules. Natalie could understand my predicament by now and took mercy on me. She even gave me back my SD card which was the highlight of the entire festival in my book. Thank you Natalie!
Now that I was back in one piece, my mind stopped racing. I hit up my friend Cobrin and met up with him and his group for Tame Impala. Everyone was having a fantastic time, but just like last week there was no way you could get close to the stage for the performance. We did our best to enjoy the show from the back of the field.
While I attempted to convince Corbin and Christina to come to Bassnectar, they were headed to Kid Cudi. There was no way I was going that way, so we said our goodbyes and I made my way towards Bassnectar.
I went back to the exact same spot I was in the previous week. My new friend Lloyd was already there with his crew. He greeted me warmly and asked how it was going. I just said it had been a great day but a crazy one and left it at that.
Bassnectar rolled out a completely new set for Weekend 2, barely playing any of the same music from Weekend 1. I just let it all go and danced. Life was a dream and I was living it. Somehow things always just work out.
After the show I met back up with Cobin and Christina and we all went to Lloyds campsite to keep the party going. About an hour later it was time for everyone to head to bed. Somehow we still had one more day of music. I couldn’t wait.
I slept in the back of my car parked right next to the Sahara Stage. Waking up for the final day, I felt groggy but excited. I still had some energy left in the tank and today I was going to use it.
It was not just any Sunday, it was Easter Sunday. Coachella had a small treat for the attendees today. It was time for Sunday Service with Kanye West.
I made my way to this new earthen mound that had been constructed in the campgrounds over the past week. As I walked in, the crowd bristed with anticipation. The line for the custom Sunday Service Merch was about a mile long. The band was already on top of the hill, playing walk in music for the early arrivals.
Chance the Rapper performs UltraLight Beam at Sunday Service
About 45 minutes later, the band was still playing walk-in music and the crowd was starting to get hot. Thankfully, the show soon kicked off with Chance the Rapper performing UltraLight Beam with a full choir.
Kanye finally made an appearance before inviting DMX to come on stage and scream a prayer to the crowd. With the prayers finished, Kanye launched into the hit song Jesus Walks which at the end of the day is about himself. That was pretty much all our group needed to see. We all left and decided to go get brunch outside the festival grounds.
The real meal was a real treat, but I was still excited to get back to the festival. I could get brunch any weekend. Coachella would only be happening today.
I returned to the festival grounds for the final time. While I had taken a few photographs of Sunday Service, I was done with drama for the weekend. I kept my camera in my bag the entire day, just going from set to set to set attempting to soak in all the amazing music.
With the music over, Coachella was almost finished. At 3:00 am Monday Morning, there was only a single bright beam of light emanating from the festival grounds. It was my pyramid light, visible in every direction for miles. At exactly 3:00 am, I turned the lights off on Coachella 2019.
As I walked back towards the RVs and my car, Harrison called. He had been working with Heineken House the entire second weekend. With how busy things had been, we hadn’t found much time to hang out together. He called and congratulated me on the perfect timing. Apparently I shut off the lights just as the moon set over the mountains. Apparently it was almost the exact same second. Harrison thought I was watching the moon, but I had just been watching my clock. I said goodbye to my good friend as I made it back to my car.
It was almost 3:30 am and I was supposed to be awake and working by 9:00 am. I knew I wouldn’t get up on my own, so I made the short 10 min drive over to the RVs. While I slept in the back of my car, hopefully our crew would be able to wake me up in the morning.
I woke up at 11:00 am to an empty campsite. I immediately rushed into action, not wanting to leave the others to do my work. I drove my car into the festival grounds as quickly as I could, clipping a small curb on the way in.
I reported to work 2 hours late, and got a good amount of crap for being dead in my car. Apparently they tried to wake me but it wasn’t happening. I kicked into gear and helped the rest of the guys load out all of our equipment.
We pushed the last road cases onto the truck. That was it! We survived two weeks of Coachella. Our crew congratulated each other on the good work. It had been a marathon, but everyone held it together and contributed in a positive manner.
With the farewells said, I walked back to my car only to find that my tire was popped. With almost no energy, I sucked it up and changed my popped tire onto a donut. The donut said ‘Do Not Exceed 55 MPH’ on it but it withstood 75 MPH the entire 3-hour car ride home.
As I climbed into bed I knew I was obsessed. Obsessed with music festivals. Coachella had been a dream and I was headed to Lightning in a Bottle in a week. Festivals were calling my name. I was ready to answer.
