Coachella 2025 and the evolution of festivals.

I've gone to shows since the 60's - but this one is off the chain in every way imaginable.

Last night, with my nephew Sal, at Coachella opening night, 2025

In the summer of 1977, while working for McDonalds, my friends and I organized a road trip to the first ever “Iowa Jam”, in Des Moines.

Me, Hags, Ross, and Ernie, jumped in Ernie’s ‘74 Cutlass, and made the 3 1/2 hour drive from Minneapolis. Ernie had a Craig under dash cassette player, a keg in the trunk with the tap running through the back seat, and enough premade mix tapes to keep us boppin all the way down to see Bob Seger, Foreigner, Nazareth, and one-hit wonder Toby Beau in what would be my first festival experience. Also - it was my first weed smoking experience.

The organizers expected 5,000 - they got over 50,000. We slept overnight in the car in a muddy parking lot, shlepped through the grog on Saturday morning, and found a decent place on the slippery lawn, and partied with other young revelers.

No cell phones. No wristbands. No ticket fees. No financing of tickets. No merch tents. No gouging.

It was awesome of course. But - no big screens either, no showmanship, no real organization or security. There weren’t enough food stands or places to get drinks. Bottled water wasn’t a thing, so everyone drank out of public fountains and hoses. It was loose and crazy, reflecting the early days in the burgeoning festival business.

I thought about that first one last night as my nephew and I headed out in my car, for the 30 minute drive from my current home to the Coachella grounds in Indio, California.

My mother got us into music. There was never a time in the house she didn’t have a record playing. She took us to everything. We saw Cat Stevens, The Carpenters, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, and so many more. She ignited our love and devotion for music, and for going to music shows.

My brother Paul, Sal’s dad, is an accomplished drummer, and all his kids play musical instruments, sing and dance. They had a band growing up and showed well in Minnesota talent shows.

Now - it’s me and Sal - my guy. And we do these adventures together. A couple of years ago, Sal and I went to see Harry Styles, here in Palm Desert. Sal called me a few weeks ago and asked his Uncle Ralph if I’d like to take him to Coachella to see Lady Gaga.

Me and Sal at Harry Styles, Acrisure Arena

You read here at all you know me - I always say yes. And for my nephew - the yes is even easier.

Now - I’m 64 years old - but - I look 63 and don’t feel a day over 62…

This is a tough one. Festivals are hard. I swore after going to Firenze Rocks, in Florence Italy in 2019, that I had done my last festival. Famous last words.

So how was it? What’s Coachella like - and how is it different than anything else I’ve seen or been to? How about the climate now for kids to even get tickets and afford these events?

What did I see - what’s particularly awesome and what’s pathetically horrible about Coachella?

Let’s go.