This year’s return to the desert by festival goers saw much excitement as we made our way back to Palm Springs for Coachella 2022.
After having been absent for the last two years due to Covid-19, Coachella proved to be just what we all had hoped and more. With spetacular headliners such as Harry Styles, Sweedish House Mafia + The Weeknd, and Billie Eilish; attendees experienced a treat with no holds barred for the first time since the pandemic began.
As expected, the heat of the desert had many people scrambling for mini fans, cold refreshments, or shade—wherever they could find it. Luckily, American Express and Umami Burger helped enchance everyone’s experience by providing a top tier lounge and food.
On the festival grounds, for the first time ever American Express partnered with Bravado to create a one-of-a-kind artist pop-up shop in their on-site Lounge, where Card Members will have access to exclusive, limited-edition festival merchandise from some of their favorite performers, including Billie Eilish and Conan Gray.
American Express collaborates with Billie Eilish & Conan Gray to debut the first-ever Amex Artist Shop in partnership with Bravado at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on Friday, April 15, 2022, in Indio
Billie Eilish for her part had a black zip-up hoodie that has been reclaimed and upcycled from deadstock, shelf pulls, retail returns & gently used apparel, giving it new life & making each hoodie unique.
Conan Gray on the otherhand had a watermelon-pigment dyed unisex crewneck pullover featuring your sweater embroidered text (a play on his hit song “Heather”) with exclusive desert cactus embroidery.
Entry into to the American Express Lounge was open to Card Members and up to 3 of their guests. Wellness activities to recharge in between sets, including a crystal bar, tarot card and astrology readings from Smudge Wellness, plus healing acupressure ear seeding were available on both Sundays (April 17 & April 24) . All of this was in addition to the hydration station, charging stations and cash bar that was available for Card Members at the space daily.
As for food…
For Coachella Umami Burger featured the Original Burger and the Impossible Burger as a vegan substitute, as well as thing fries and the Apple Hand Pie. The Umami booth was in the general admission area in the Craft Beer Barn.
Umami Burger announced a menu by famed Chef Alvin Cailan. Launching this February, Chef Alvin’s new Umami Burger menu focuses on classic American and Filipino fusions and with a menu revamp that pays homage to Umami’s favorite classics, while at the same time elevating and expanding key menu offerings. The partnership between Umami Burger and Chef Alvin Cailan utilizes Cailan’s award-winning mastery of meats and burgers, combining his skills to offer the ultimate menu of crave-able hamburgers, fries, potato tots and chicken wings.
For the menu revamp Chef Cailan has added his touch to Umami Burger’s famed menu items while at the same time creating an assortment of new items that stay true to Umami Burger’s “sixth sense.” Highlights include The Umami Burger, The Truffle Burger, The Deluxe Burger, The Bacon Ranch Burger, The Reggiano Burger, The Original, The Black Garlic Burger and the vegan friendly Earth Burger.
