Are Random Williamsburg Residents Upset That They’re Not at Coachella?

In case you weren't aware, Coachella's two-weekend jaunt begins today. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the Indio valley to see musicians of all types across three days. In the past, the festival was keen on pushing music forward and giving attendees the best bands on a platter, reuniting the likes of the Replacements, Daft Punk, the Jesus and Mary Chain, the Stone Roses and much more. This year, upon seeing the lineup, we were extremely underwhelmed; we could probably count the bands we'd want to see on one hand, the rest of the lineup being generic pop-radio fodder. Confused at whether or not this is what the people wanted, we decided to go the Relevancy Capital of the World, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to ask whether people were upset about missing this year's event.

RAOUL

Do you know who's playing Coachella this year?
No, I don't.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella this year?
Nah.

What do you think about big music festivals in general?
It's okay.

Would you ever go to one?
All the time. Just depends.

Would you see yourself going to one in New York City?
Sure.

JOANNA (left), ALYSSA (right)

Do you know who's playing Coachella this year?
Alyssa: No. I know Beyoncé bowed out, and that was tragic. That was the deciding factor of not going.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella right now?
Joanna: Nah.
A: Not really. We're not super into music festivals. I'd rather go see one really good show than see a bunch packed into one weekend.

Do you think Coachella is getting progressively better or worse?
A: It's just turning into this overhyped ...
J: Very trendy.
A: Yeah, very trendy in an annoying way. I don't think it's getting better. I think it's getting ...
J: Probably less about music.
A: Yeah, less about music and more about "culture" and "style" and specific look.

Do you see yourselves going to Governors Ball or Panorama?
A: Probably not. I think if I was going to a festival this year, it'd probably be Sasquatch. [Laughs]
J: We're from Canada, so we'd have to travel a little bit further.
A: Yeah, we're from Canada, but we have been to music festivals in Canada. But I think Sasquatch is on my radar this year of things to do. A little more outdoorsy and less ... trendy.

SAPIRE

Do you know who's on the lineup for Coachella this year?
No.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella this year?
No. I mean, I'd like to go if I could, but I'm not, like, sad.

Have you ever been?
No.

Are you a fan of music festivals in general?
No.

Do you think the quality of Coachella is getting better or worse?
No, I know it's great. I'm just not a fan of crowds myself.

Do you see yourself going to any of the major New York festivals coming up?
In New York I would go, if I could walk there. If it's, like, close by and I don't have to spend thousands of dollars. Why, do you guys have something coming up?

No, we're more just seeing if anybody cares on the East Coast.
I mean, I know people do, but I think it's becoming more, like, show and about going to Coachella: "I'm a blogger!"

JORDAN

Do you know who's on the lineup this year for Coachella?
Ah, no, couldn't tell you.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella this year?
Not really. It's never really been my thing.

All right, cool. Are you a music festival person in general?
I enjoy them, but I don't go out of my way to be at them.

Do you think music festivals in general are getting progressively better or worse?
I haven't been at enough recently to be able to say. I definitely went to more years ago when I was a little bit younger and more into it, so I couldn't say.

Do you see yourself going to any bigger music festivals coming up?
Possibly, but somebody else would be organizing it and encouraging me to join in.

For you to go to one, it comes down to your friends going and stuff?
Yeah, totally. It's a social gathering, something to do with friends.

GASPAR

Do you know who's on the lineup this year for Coachella?
No.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella right now?
[shakes head]

What do you think about big music festivals in general?
Uh ...

Do you ever go to them?
Yeah, it's been a while. I don't have a particular feeling on them. They're fun, they're great.

Was it more fun when you were younger or something like that?
Yeah. Healthier. [Laughs]

Do you think the quality of lineups are getting better or worse?
I have no clue. [Laughs] Honestly, you picked the wrong guy.

Do you see yourself going to Governors Ball or Panorama this year?
Uh, no. I wanted to go to Governors Ball two or three years ago, but I can't even remember that lineup.

NATASHA

Do you know who's playing Coachella this year?
All I mostly know is Beyoncé dropped out, and maybe Travis Scott dropped out. Maybe some others.

But you can't name anyone else off the top?
No, I don't really care. [Laughs] I'm on the East Coast, so I'm not paying for that.

Are you upset you're not at Coachella this year?
Not at all. I'm out making money. [Laughs]

What do you think of big festivals in general like that?
I'm not really into that scene. Too many people drunk and all over the place; it's not really my vibe. I'm a little more low-key.

Do you see yourself going to Governors Ball or Panorama this year?
I've thought about it, but no. I've considered it, though.