What awaits us, economically and otherwise, could not be more uncertain, especially with the economic backlash from tariffs. Yet for the top live acts, things are just getting hotter—testifying, as ever, to how replenishing, reassuring and rejuvenating music is, especially in trying times. Zach Bryan, Kendrick Lamar/SZA, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Shakira and Oasis are all doing extraordinary business on the road, and Tate McRae has sold virtually every available ticket.

Now, the world turns its eyes to the Cali desert as Coachella’s Ferris wheel starts powering up. Jay Marciano, Paul Tollett and company are stressing the Indio marvel’s headliners (Gaga, Green Day, Posty, Travis) as well as its livestream, which has latterly become a global phenomenon; last year, the video feed helped break the likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.

Before the music even starts, the big Thursday-night dinner party is a must-attend (and an annual rite of passage for younger bizniks). It’s now almost impossible to overstate the importance of the Goldenvoice/AEG festival and its country sister, Stagecoach, which together represent some 300k three-day tickets (a regular pass is about $700, while VIP—north of 25% of tickets sold, we hear—is roughly $1,400). Add the food, booze, water, merch and branding monies and you’re talking about some serious shekels. We’re told that the two fests are responsible for some $1b in economic activity for the neighboring communities.

Besides, in a time of pharaohs, where else could we be but the desert?