Desert Dreams: The Music, Style, and Allure of Coachella

Immerse yourself in the music, the fashion, and the hype of one of the biggest music festivals in the world.

Coachella is considered one of the most profitable and widely attended music festivals, with an annual attendance of 250,000 people. Not only is it located in the middle of the desert, but to be there is to witness some of the best performances artists will ever put on. For them, playing at Coachella is a huge checkmark on the bucket list of their career. No matter how small their name appears on the billboards listing the year's lineups, the festival is known to be the starting point of artists on the way to superstardom. Chances are, if you saw them at Coachella, you'll be seeing them rise for the rest of the year and be able to say you knew them before they were big.

Discover the magic of one of the biggest festivals in the world, from the windy roads and mountain views on the way there, the hotspots on the polo field, and the art installations that create an epic landscape and dozens of photo ops that you see online. Desert Dreams will walk you through the biggest names that have performed on the mainstage, including those that started in a smaller tent. At Coachella, anything can and will happen. Relive the headlines that nobody could stop talking about for weeks after, such as who was there--from celebrities to special guest appearances onstage--what they were wearing--both the performers and audience members--and what to expect if you're planning to experience it all yourself in an upcoming year. With 150+ iconic photographs and insights from music industry veterans, Coachella expert, Katie Bain brings you a comprehensive guide to this groundbreaking festival phenomenon.

This visually stunning book makes you feel as if you never missed a year in the desert, covering:

• The origins of the festival from the Los Angeles music scene in the '60s through the '90s
• The talent and most talked about performances including Guns N' Roses, Beychella, and No Doubt
• The epic fashion trends and viral looks that span from DIY to designer
• The scintillating media stories such as the hard launch of Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattinson and when Shania Twain dazzled with Harry Styles
• What happened when a Tupac Shakur hologram entered center stage
• All the reunions, legacy acts, and makings of history each year
• The cultural and musical impact of Coachella on US festivals and the American Music History
• And so much more!

Learn about the extravagance (and not-so-extravagant moments) alongside a real account of what it takes to arrive on the site, all the key locations, and the most hyped about parties. By page one, you'll feel like you're on your way to the biggest event of your life--and for some, you'll get the chance to relive it. A must-have volume for music lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and fashionistas, Desert Dreams is the ultimate celebration of the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Make sure you have your water ready because we're taking you to the desert.

Author: Katie Bain
Publisher: Epic Ink Books
Published: 10/21/2025
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.55lbs
Size: 10.00h x 8.60w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9780760397558

About the Author

Katie Bain is a music and culture journalist who began her writing career after earning a degree in journalism and mass communication at the University of Wisconsin. Born and raised near Green Bay, she's spent the last seventeen years in Los Angeles, California, where she's held positions at LA Weekly and international festival brand Insomniac Events and Beatport. Her work has appeared in publications including Billboard, The Guardian, VICE, Noisey, Flaunt, DoubleBlind, The LAnd, RBMA, and more. She is currently the Senior Music Correspondent at Billboard, where she focuses on electronic music and sustainability. In 2007, months after moving to LA, she took her first drive across the desert to Coachella to see Prince headline. She's been to the festival eleven times since, for work and play.