After three years of absence, the Coachella festival resumes in California

Published on: 04/16/2022 – 11:55 No masks, no health restrictions but flower crowns on the head and glitter makeup: the famous music festival in Coachella, California, resumed on Friday for the first time since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 editions had been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It had been three years since Indio, a city in California, had vibrated with this major music event. On Friday April 15, for the kick-off of the 21st Coachella festival, the Brazilian Anitta caused a sensation on stage, paving the way for Snoop Dogg – who performed “Mas Que Nada” with her -, Saweetie, and especially the highly anticipated Harry Styles. “It’s fantastic,” says 24-year-old Connecticut native Alexa Davis, swaying to Anitta’s music as images of a Rio de Janeiro favela flash in the background. “She is really great, she is very beautiful”. The 29-year-old singer made music history this year by becoming the first Brazilian to be number one in the world on the Spotify platform.”I’m vaccinated and we’re outdoors, I’m not at all worried, I really needed that”, says Katie, 22, from New York and whose second time at Coachella. “I’m so happy to be here, it’s great,” she added during a concert by The Hu, a rock band from Mongolia. Even if the cases of Covid-19 increase in the United States, hundreds Thousands of people are expected in the California desert for this huge event which is held over two three-day weekends, April 15-17 and April 22-22. Headlining this year: Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and The Weeknd, as well as Swedish House Mafia. The Covid-19 watermark nowThe 2020 edition of the festival had been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, after many attempts at chaotic reorganizations, it was decided that it would be canceled again. After a three-year hiatus, Coachella is seen as a test event for an industry still unstable after all the pandemic-related setbacks. Organizers have said they will not require proof of vaccinations, masks or distancing social. The festival is held mainly outdoors, welcoming some 125,000 enthusiasts a day from across the country and abroad, many of whom camp or fill nearby hotels. Two Covid-19 screening sites are available on site . Jose Arballo, a spokesman for the local health authorities, said testing capacities would be increased in the area as well. While cases have fallen sharply since January across the country, their number is beginning to rise, according to authorities. Some universities have reinstated mask-wearing requirements, but restrictions remain minimal in most of the United States, including California. Other big names at Coachella this year include Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers and Doja Cat . The French from L’Impératrice, the superstar Stromae, the Palestinian DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi and the South African Black Coffee are also on the programme. The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia were added to the roster at the last minute, after Kanye West dropped out. Travis Scott has also given up performing after a deadly stampede during his concert in Houston last year.