Coachella Overrun by Influencers, But Music Still Shines

Despite the festival's commercialization, the music, fashion, and community spirit of Coachella remain as vibrant as ever.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering, glittering sequins and metallic textures, captured in dramatic studio lighting to create a high-fashion, glamorous aesthetic that conceptually represents the spectacle of the Coachella music festival.The dazzling textures and high-fashion aesthetics of Coachella continue to captivate attendees, even as the festival becomes increasingly commercialized.Indio Today

A writer spent 48 hours at Coachella and found the music festival has indeed become overrun by influencers and brand activations, but the core experience of seeing great live performances, enjoying the creative fashion, and feeling part of a larger community is still very much alive.

Why it matters

Coachella has long been considered the premier music festival in the United States, but in recent years has faced criticism for becoming more focused on influencer culture and brand sponsorships than the music itself. This story provides an on-the-ground perspective on how the festival has evolved, while highlighting that the essential elements that made Coachella special are still present for attendees.

The details

The writer infiltrated influencer parties, observed the fashion trends, and took note of the music buzz, finding that while influencer culture is pervasive, the festival still delivers an exciting experience. Standout performances from artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber generated significant discussion, and the writer was struck by the community spirit despite the commercialization.

  • The writer attended the first weekend of Coachella 2026.
  • Coachella takes place annually in Indio, California in the spring.

The players

Kelsey Weekman

A writer who attended Coachella 2026 and chronicled her experience of navigating the influencer-filled festival.

Sabrina Carpenter

A pop singer whose performance at Coachella 2026 was praised as the start of her superstar era.

Justin Bieber

A pop star whose understated yet meta-commentary performance at Coachella 2026 generated significant buzz.

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What they’re saying

“Everything people say when they complain about Coachella is true. It's expensive. It's full of hot people aggressively angling for the best possible shots. It's physically demanding and cumbersome to navigate. It's also objectively some of the most fun that you can have.”

— Kelsey Weekman, Writer

“When he sat at a laptop and started playing old YouTube clips, from the one that got him discovered as a child to the 'Deez Nuts' clip that didn't involve him at all, I knew I was part of a brilliant meta-commentary on what it means to be the first true mainstream internet celebrity.”

— Kelsey Weekman, Writer

What’s next

The writer plans to return to Coachella in the future, despite the festival's commercialization, as the core music, fashion, and community experience remains vibrant.

The takeaway

While Coachella has become increasingly dominated by influencer culture and brand activations, the festival still delivers an exciting experience for music fans, with standout performances, creative fashion, and a sense of community that keeps attendees coming back year after year.