Coachella hype has begun

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During lunch, on Feb.4, Bianca Vasquez, 12, listens to music on her phone anticipating Coachella this spring. “I’m looking forward to everything,” Vasquez said.

Sophie Prettyman, Staff Writer
February 11, 2015

The 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup was released on January 6, sparking excitement amongst music fans. Downey students are thrilled to join this crowd of music lovers this year at Coachella, and many are going for the first time ever.

“It is my first time going and I’m excited to see pretty much everyone; I can’t choose,” senior Brianna Valencia said. “I’m excited to see great performances on the daily for a weekend.”

The bands and artists headlining Coachella this year are rapper Drake, classic rock band AC/DC, and indie rocker Jack White.

“I’m looking forward to going on a three-day road trip with my friends and being there on my own,” senior Aryana Dantic said. “I also look forward to celebrating my 18^th birthday out there in the desert with my friends in cute outfits listening to good music.”

Some major indie groups and performers who will be at the festival include Interpol, Hozier, Tame Impala, Belle and Sebastian, and Alabama Shakes. Pop artists include Marina and the Diamonds, St. Vincent, and Kimbra. Some rappers and electronic musicians Downey High students are excited to see are Azealia Banks, Tyler the Creator, David Guetta, Kaskade, and Flying Lotus. Punk rock fans can look forward to seeing Bad Religion, a classic punk staple.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Florence + the Machine because their music is amazing,” senior Daniel Diaz said. “I’ve never been to a music festival this big so it’s really exciting for me!”

The annual music festival started in 1999 and occurs on two weekends in a row in the Coachella Valley in Indio, California. People flock to it to see their favorite performers, to see interesting art, and to enjoy the other forms of entertainment in a desert party atmosphere with their friends. Coachella features both well-known and up-and-coming musicians from various genres, including indie, rock, hip-hop, electronic, and rap. Every year, it grows increasingly in popularity, attracting music and art lovers from all over, including celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, the Jenner sisters, Katy Perry, and Chris Pine.

This year, Coachella will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the second and third weekends of April. Due to high demand and popularity, both weekends sold out in less than 40 minutes.

About the Contributors

Sophie Prettyman, Staff Writer

Senior Sophie Prettyman is starting her first year as a writer for The Downey Legend. Prettyman has wanted to join Newspaper since her sophomore year, but was unable to because she did not have room in her schedule. Prettyman is the clarinet co-section leader for the marching band and is also a tutor in the Writing Center, a place for sophomores to come and receive the help they need in their English classes. Labeling herself as shy, Prettyman hopes Newspaper will help her to become not only a better writer, but more sociable. “I’m shy until you get to know me, then you wish you didn’t,” Prettyman said. Prettyman enjoys writing and English and has decided to try out journalism for the first time to learn more about writing apart from the normal essays written in class.

In her spare time, Prettyman enjoys listening to music, shopping for vintage clothes, and watching Wes Anderson movies. Music is one of her favorite things amongst vinyl records, sarcasm, and cats. Prettyman enjoys listening to punk, indie, garage, surf rock, and alternative music and is also teaching herself how to play bass. Prettyman is also interested in comedy shows, would love to start doing more comedy, and would one day love to try stand-up comedy. A dream of Prettyman’s is to work in the film industry as a director, a screenwriter, become an English professor, or a veterinarian. Prettyman hopes this year in newspaper will not only make her a better writer, but will be a new and fun experience as she explores journalism for the first time.

Karen Ariciaga, Co-Photo Editor

Senior Karen Ariciaga is starting her second year in Newspaper, and she enjoyed her position very much. She entered Newspaper with a position, as photographer last year, was her first year actually knowing how to work the cameras and take pictures on a professional camera. As a photographer, she has a job of taking pictures of sports events, rallies, and school events. “I really liked taking pictures for events, it was a way for me to see what was going around me,” Agriciaga said. “Being a photographer seems like a fun job, but there is also work that comes with it, there’s a balance.” stated Agriciaga stated. Her goals for newspaper are to enjoy every minute of it.

Photography is one of her many interests, she also enjoys re-watching old TV series such as Gossip Girl in her spare time. “Blair is my favorite,” Ariciaga stated. Other than Gossip Girl, she loves to sleep and eat Sushi, “I can eat sushi it all the time,” said Ariciaga. As a senior, one of her plans for this year is to go to all the dances. Ariciaga wants to be a lawyer when she is older. “I love the feeling of winning an argument,” she said. She plans to attend Loyola Marymount University after high school and wants be signed to a firm after college in hopes of fulfilling her goals. “ I want to get higher scores on my SATs’, pass with straight As, and join more school activities,” Ariciaga said, Her back up plan is to go to San Francisco State and fall back on business, so she is applying for scholarships and other colleges just in case. She is very focused on her career; Karen Ariciaga is very dedicated to get what she wants in life. She is taking steps to get to where she wants and going through it with a great attitude toward her up and coming year.