Coachella 2023: These are the differences between Weekend 1 and Weekend 2
Since the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival switched to the three-day, two-weekend model in 2012, there have been slight differences between the pair of shows.
This year, Coachella took over the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 14-16 with headliners Bad Bunny, Blackpink and Frank Ocean.
It returned for Weekend 2 on Friday, April 21, but there were some big changes.
Alternate Headlining Acts
The lineups remain mostly the same, with a few early acts being swapped out. However, early on the week, Ocean announced he wouldn’t be returning for an encore performance citing an injury.
His headlining turn on Sunday, April 16 was less than spectacular and ended with the fest promoters pulling the plug on the set for going 20 minutes over curfew.
It was later announced he’d be replaced by pop punk trio Blink-182, who served as the surprise act at the Sahara Tent during Weekend 1. And, following Blink, will be a DJ set by Skrillex, Four Tet and Fred Again.
There were also several different special guests coming out for the second weekend, including Gorillaz bringing out Beck for “The Valley of the Pagans” and having Friday headliner Bad Bunny join them for “Tormenta.”
Weekend 2 isn’t sold out
For the first time, the second weekend hadn’t sold out in advance. Several fans we talked to bought the Weekend 2 passes last-minute because there were still so many available.
While the first Friday fans definitely hit the grounds earlier than the second weekend, the difference wasn’t really too noticeable on the grounds. The only times it became apparent were the decreased wait times for bathroom lines, food vendors and there were less patrons in the VIP sections.
Earlier Set Times
Goldenvoice was fined a whopping $117,000 for breaking the sound curfew three evenings in a row during Weekend 1.
That hefty bill prompted the promoters to swiftly rearrange some set times, many of which were earlier for the Weekend 2 crowd. For instance, Bad Bunny’s set on Friday started 25 minutes earlier than it did the week prior and ended well before the 1 a.m. curfew.
Grass Isn’t Greener
The once lush green grass that extended across the sprawling venue is now in sparse. While Weekend 1 fans enjoyed frolicking and lying on the soft grass, Weekend 2 fans got stabbed by the sharp, hay-like blades if they don’t snag a patch of the good green stuff early.
It’s Super Hot
What a difference a week makes. The weather went from being in the gorgeous and completely tolerable mid-’80s during Weekend 1 to a blistering 96 degrees for the opening of Weekend 2. The heat was no joke. Several fans were spotted seeking medical attention for heat-related issues. It’s only supposed to get hotter each day of the event, too.
More Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival news
Coachella 2023: Photos of performers and fans from Friday, Weekend 2
Coachella 2023: Bad Bunny, Gorillaz, Metro Boomin stack the special guests for Weekend 2
Coachella 2023: Weekend 2 fans talk Frank Ocean cancelation, schedule changes
Coachella 2023: Set times for Weekend 2 announced — with a new Sunday headliner
Coachella 2023: Fans react to Frank Ocean dropping out of Weekend 2
Coachella 2023: Sunday headliner Frank Ocean drops out of Weekend 2
Coachella 2023: 25 must-see acts if you’re going to Weekend 2
Coachella 2023: Our 50 best photos from Weekend 1
Coachella 2023: See photos from Day 3 of the festival
Coachella 2023: Photos of artist-inspired outfits and fashion during Weekend 1