Loren Gray Calls Out Influencers For Faking Going To Coachella-2023

A separate take that I have not seen other articles or comments mention-there are private parties and events around Coachella that influencers and celebrities attend, coined 'Industry Coachella'.  I myself have used this term, and more times than not it does turn some heads and raise some questions, leading me to believe that most are not aware of this "Industry Coachella".  Many influencers get invited to these more private, smaller festivals, that almost look identical to Coachella and they outfit themselves in the same aesthetic.  I attended some of these events this weekend, including Neon Carnival, which I will talk about, and they look almost identical to Coachella.

Because Coachella has become so much more than a music festival, it has become a stopping ground for celebrity and influencer culture, many brands have started throwing their own, invite-only festivals and events around Palm Springs, Indio, and Coachella Valley during week one of Coachella.  Two of the more prominent events are Neon Carnival and Revolve Festival.

Neon Carnival is an annual event that takes place during Coachella and is hosted by Brent Bolthouse, one of Hollywood's most successful event producers.  Perusing Bolthouse's Instagram, I read a comment stating "I can get artist passes to Coachella every year, but I've still never been able to get into Neon". Neon features a variety of carnival rides, games, and food trucks, as well as music from some of the world's top DJ's.  Janelle Monàe and Camilla Cabello were some of the many huge celebrities that attended this year.

Revolve Festival is another popular event that takes place during Coachella.  It is hosted by the online fashion retailer Revolve and is held at a private estate in the desert a shuttle away from the Coachella Festival.  Revolve Festival features a variety of activities, including pool parties, beauty lounges, and fitness classes.  It also features performances from many renowned artists each year.

Both the Neon Carnival and Revolve Festival have become highly coveted events for brands and influencers looking to connect and network with each other.  For brands, these invite-only festivals provide a unique opportunity for brands to showcase their products and services to a highly engaged and influential audience.  For influencers, they offer a chance to connect with other influencers, brands, and industry insiders, as well as to create content and share their experiences on social media.  

I say all this to share that the influencers "faking Coachella" may simply be attending these invite-only parties and events around the Coachella festival, and never setting foot in the actual festival.  They are still referring to these events as 'Coachella', however, and understandably that can create a sense of distrust with their audience. 

Gray's video and the discourse around it does spark a larger, ongoing conversation about social media and the authenticity of what influencers are posting.  As a supporter of certain creators, it is up to you to decide how important it is that the content curated for you is fully authentic and genuine.  Some argue that content is simply entertainment, and that they don't care if it's fully real.  Some argue that it is all "a fantasy".  Others argue that creators should be fully, 100% authentic.

Personally, while I see both sides, I argue that as social media continues to play an increasingly important role in our everyday lives, it becomes more and more crucial that influencers are transparent with their followers.  Ultimately, the value we put on the authenticity of the content we consume varies from person to person.  Let me know what you think!