We are so back, music fans.

The first day of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicked off Friday, April 11, with a few classic moments as well as a few surprises. There are fewer art installations this year, for one, and the placement of the Do Lab and Quasar stages has been flipped, but there’s still one constant throughout it all — that sweltering desert heat.

When the gates opened — nearly on time just after 1 p.m., may we add — the temperature at the Empire Polo Club in Indio had reached 91 degrees, but thankfully the forecast now calls for the temperature to climb only a few more degrees before dropping back down into the 80s. Festivalgoers were definitely feeling the heat, and we noticed not nearly as many people ran through the gates this year as years past (they have to conserve their energy to dance to Lady Gaga, after all).

Here were the first five things we noticed about the festival grounds this year, from a new merch area to an intriguing Travis Scott installation.

The individual artist merch tent areas are in a new spot

As always, one of the best reasons to come to Coachella early on Day 1 is to be among the first fans to check out your favorite headliner’s merch. This year, the headliner artist merch tents are located along the path to the Sahara tent, which is immediately to your right when you come in through the main entrance and are looking at the Ferris wheel.

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We also noticed that the festival gave The Original Misfits their own merch tent in the same area, which we think is a nice nod to the rockers who have been around for decades, but are making their Coachella debut on Saturday, April 12.

— Niki Kottmann

Simplicity is king for the few Coachella art pieces on the grounds

When it comes to this year’s art installations at Coachella, less is more.

There are three main installations at the Empire Polo Club in the vicinity of the Coachella Stage: Stephanie Lin’s vibrant “Taffy” towers, Uchronia’s wildflowers “Le Grand Bouquet” and Isabel + Helen’s 19th century-inspired turbine structure “Take Flight.”

These installations are not only charming, but each speaks to the mid-century modern vibe of our desert, and the colorful and contemporary aesthetics of the festival.

According to the accompanying sign, mid-century modernism was the main inspiration behind Lin’s towers. That same era appears in Uchronia’s flowers, which was inspired by vintage graphic design and art pieces from that same period. Isabel + Helen’s turbines also fit the desert theme as they are reminiscent of the famous windmills in north Palm Springs.

The Record Safari, aka the on-site record store, is also located in a new spot this year: directly next to (to the right of) the main Coachella merchandise tent you see on the left when you walk in through the main entrance.

— Brian Blueskye

The Quasar and Do Lab stages are flipped

Perhaps the biggest layout change likely to be noticed by longtime Coachellagoers this year is a new location for the Do Lab, which serves as something of a hub for the festival’s always large raver set.

This year, the Do Lab is located to the right of the main festival entrance and now occupies the spot where the Quasar stage was located when it made its debut last year. Quasar, in turn, is roughly in Do Lab’s old spot. It’s not obvious why the change was made, but it likely has something to do with the large Red Bull Mirage installation that has now been placed between the two stages.

But regardless of the reason, the Quasar, Do Lab and Sahara stages now provide a close-together constellation of EDM-focused stages that those who come to Coachella for beats and drops may never have to leave (especially now that there is always plenty of Red Bull to fuel up on nearby). And, well, if you are the kind of festivalgoer who doesn’t want to be assaulted by grating dubstep on the way to get a hotdog, maybe steer clear of this corner of the grounds.

— Paul Albani-Burgio

The new Red Bull Mirage building is for first-class festivalgoers

Another new addition to the Coachella grounds this year is the Red Bull Mirage, a hangout area where fans can get the perfect view of the Quasar stage. 

The house-like structure offers three different levels, and some are only accessible to VIP passholders, artists and guests. On the first floor, those who have made reservations for the beloved sushi restaurant Nobu are able to enjoy a six-course meal which includes chilled edamame, yellowtail jalapeno, miso dry salmon, a number of nigiri and sushi rolls and more.

On the restaurant level, there are 18 tables available, and customers have 50 minutes to enjoy their meal before a new batch of eaters come through. Unfortunately, all reservations are booked for Weekend 1.

After they finish with their meal, guests can see a number of DJs at the Quasar stage from comfy lounge chairs.

The second floor is reserved for Red Bull guests, while the third is a dedicated artist space, where performers can unwind before or after their set.

On the other side, near the Craft Beer Barn, the general public can indulge in a Red Bull Summer Slushie, which has a white peach flavor, for $6. Alcoholic cocktails include Red Bull Vodka, Red Bull Spicy Watermelon Margarita, Red Bull Mirage Spritz and Red Bull Summer Tequila Slushie for $24.

— Ema Sasic

The Travis Scott installation has a distinct ‘Mad Max’ vibe

One of the most noticeable new installments at Coachella this year is a special Travis Scott-specific merch zone that has scaffolding, empty train cars and large rust-colored signage that looks like something out of Mad Max.

Tucked away to the right of the Indio Central Market you’ll find the installation, deemed The Village by Cactus Jack, which is a place to celebrate all things Scott. You’ll find merch, of course, but also a Scott wonderland including an octagon in the middle where attendees can battle each other to win musician-themed prizes.

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Have you ever wanted to own a varsity jacket that reflects a partnership between Scott and Jake From State Farm? If you have, that’s weird, but also this is your lucky day, you can enter to win that as well.

Long story short, if you love Travis Scott you’ll want to enter “The Village” if you’re don’t know much about Travis Scott, still enter it, but you might be confused. 

— Shad Powers

(This story was updated to add a photo.)