The Brazilian Anitta was one of the biggest attractions on the first day of the event, which was forced to pause for three years due to the advance of Covid-19.
© AFP Agency
Coachella, one of the biggest music parties in the world, takes place over two three-day weekends and traditionally marks the season for big concerts.
Without masks (masks) or sanitary restrictions, thousands of people in bikinis, summer clothes, colorful hair and makeup full of glitter flooded the city of Indio on Friday at the start of the first Coachella festival since the start of the pandemic, in the California desert.
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The Brazilian Anitta was one of the biggest attractions on the first day of the event that was forced to pause for three years due to the advance of Covid-19.
Coachella, one of the biggest music parties in the world, takes place over two three-day weekends and traditionally marks the season for big concerts. This year’s edition should also be an indicator for the multimillion-dollar music tour industry, which is looking to raise its head after the impact suffered during the two years of the pandemic.
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The 2020 edition of the famous festival held in this desert region of California was postponed when the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world. And, after two years of chaotic cancellations, he returned this Friday with his extravaganza and seven boxes vying for the attention of thousands of fans with a diverse list of artists.
With thermometers topping 30C in the early afternoon, fans walked the several meters from parking lots and camping areas to the festival. The colorful clothing did not include face masks.
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For those interviewed, the virus was not a concern despite the fact that cases in the United States have begun to increase in recent weeks, registering up to 38,000 daily diagnoses, according to official numbers.
“I’m not scared, and I’m excited to be out there with people,” said Saturn Risin, an attendee who traveled from Los Angeles, nearly a three-hour drive.
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“Look at this! we just want to have fun, I don’t want to think about covid tonight,” said Sarah Jones, who traveled from Oregon with her friends.
Despite the fact that massive events like Lollapalooza last year required some sanitary measures, Coachella, in the open air, chose not to ask for vaccinations, masks (masks) or distancing.
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Due to the times of the virus, the health impact of the event should be felt in the middle of next week, just before the second weekend of the party, according to local health authorities.
– “Is incredible” –
The huge Empire Polo Club is expected to receive some 125,000 people a day for the festival. The attendees wander, dance, eat and drink between one stage and another, also strolling through some artistic installations. Music fans rush to gather as the first chords of each show kick off, and with the movement, the grass begins to give way to a cloud of dust.
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Anitta caused a revolution on the main stage. Reproducing a favela, the 29-year-old singer entered a motorcycle taxi wearing a bikini in the colors of the Brazilian flag. At sunset she began with a video showing her native Rio de Janeiro to the rhythm of the classic “Mais que nada”.
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The crowd went wild right away when rapper Snoop Dogg made a surprise appearance, followed shortly after by Saweetie, as well as a video screening of Cardi B’s “I like it” video.
“It’s amazing,” said Alexa Davis, who came from Connecticut.
Singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Anitta danced and kissed. Several of the attendees threw themselves on the floor to move their hips to the rhythm of her super hit “Envolver”, the same one with which she made history by becoming the first Brazilian to lead Spotify’s global streaming list.
replay video
This Friday those present enjoyed a surprise show by Arcade Fire, while with the full moon lighting up the sky of the Californian desert, Phoebe Bridgers were expected and at the end of the night, Harry Styles.
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Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish and Doja Cat are some of the great figures that will perform at Coachella between Saturday and Sunday, but the festival brings something for everyone.
The Weekend and Swedish House Mafia entered the bill at the last minute after rapper Kanye West pulled out of the festival.
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International programming includes Argentinean Nathy Peluso, Mongolian rock band The Hu, reggaeton artist Karol G, French L’Imperatrice, Belgian Stromae, recent Grammy winner Arooj Aftab, Palestinian DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi and Black Coffee, from South Africa, who made history by being the first African person to win a Grammy for best electronic album.