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Podcasts Take Two
Coachella rules the music festival circuit, but how long can it stay on top?
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Apr 17, 2015
Listen • 6:13
Coachella rules the music festival circuit, but how long can it stay on top?
Last year, Coachella generated more revenue than any other event on the music festival circuit. But can it continue to dominate the outdoor music scene?
Colored lights illuminate palm trees on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival, in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
Colored lights illuminate palm trees on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival, in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Jessica Hewins (L) ad Emily Bargeron from Savanah, Georgia wear clothing from their fashion design company Mamie-Ruth on day three of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on April 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
Jessica Hewins (L) ad Emily Bargeron from Savanah, Georgia wear clothing from their fashion design company Mamie-Ruth on day three of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California on April 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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A man takes a photo of two girls against the back drop of a giant caterpillar on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival, in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
A man takes a photo of two girls against the back drop of a giant caterpillar on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival, in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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A music fan with dyed hair walks past on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
A music fan with dyed hair walks past on the first day of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, April 10, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Actor Blake Anderson (R) and an unidentified guest attend the second day of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, on April 11, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
Actor Blake Anderson (R) and an unidentified guest attend the second day of the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California, on April 11, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)
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ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
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Last year, Coachella generated more revenue than any other event on the music festival circuit. But can it continue to dominate the outdoor music scene?

Weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival gets under way Friday in Indio, California. And, of course, it's sold out.

The event is the butt of many online spoofs, with its hipster-bohemian vibe and big bucks admission. It will cost you $375 for a general ticket. It's another $85 to pitch a tent. 

Last year, the wildly popular music and arts show generated more revenue than any other event on the festival circuit. But can Coachella continue to dominate the outdoor music scene? 

Ben Sisario covers the music business for the New York Times. He wrote recently about the business of Coachella and he joined Take Two to discuss it.