Music. Spectacle. Style. Influence. For more than 20 years, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been a crucible of pop culture, shaping the music we listen to, the clothing we wear, the photos we take and even how we commune.  

In Desert Dreams: The Music, Style, and Allure of Coachella, veteran music and culture journalist Katie Bain takes you behind the scenes of Coachella’s history and impact, looking back at some the biggest names to ever grace the mainstage—including those who first captivated audiences in smaller tents—and demonstrating the festival’s unparalleled power and prestige. When you play Coachella, the world is watching. Relive the stories that made global headlines—from surprise guests and career-defining performances to celebrity sightings and trend-setting fashion, both onstage and among the audience.  

With nearly 15 years of experience attending, reporting on and interviewing artists at the festival, Bain offers an expert look at Coachella’s singular setting and international impact. Through insider observations and rich detail, she unveils the preparation it takes for fans to arrive at the site, brings readers on a tour of the festival’s key locations and most talked-about parties and captures the essence of the Coachella experience. Readers will be transported as the book explores:  

  • The festival’s origins – from the Los Angeles ’60s music scene to the SoCal punk rock world  that set the stage for Coachella
  • Unforgettable performances including Rage Against the Machine, Daft Punk, Prince, Guns N’ Roses, and Beychella
  • Festival-specific  fashion trends and viral looks spanning DIY to designer—and the impact of influencers
  • Viral moments and headline generating onstage surprises, such Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s appearance at the fest and Shania Twain dazzling during her performance with Harry Styles
  • The Tupac Shakur hologram that stunned audiences worldwide
  • The mega-watt reunions and other milestones like Coachella’s expansion from one to two weekends 
  • The impact of Coachella on the U.S. festival market 
  • And much more 

With over 150 stunning photographs and insights spanning more than 25 years of festival coverage, this first-ever comprehensive guide to the festival is a must-have—whether you’re reminiscing or planning your own trip to the desert.  

“Living and working in close proximity to Coachella has given me a front row seat to the festival’s growth, influence and meaning,” says Bain. “It’s been a thrill to write a book about an event I know and love deeply, and one where I’ve witnessed some of the greatest musical performances of my life. I hope Desert Dreams gives anyone interested in the festival – from longtime attendees, to critics to people who dream of going – a sense of why Coachella is special and what has made it so.”