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    Coachella 2023: Juliet Mendoza shares what it’s like to be one of the opening acts
    • April 15, 2023

    For musicians, getting a slot on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup is considered a pretty big career milestone. It’s certainly a landmark moment for Los Angeles-based producer and DJ Juliet Mendoza.

    “In our Latin culture, they always tell you when things are meant for you, it will just come,” Mendoza said after being one of the very first artists to perform on the opening day of the three-day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 14, just after noon in the Yuma Tent. She’ll be back for the second weekend of the festival, April 21-23, too.

    Juliet Mendoza, left, dances with her manager, Tadia Tyalor, as she performs in the Yuma during day 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Juliet Mendoza performs in the Yuma during day 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

    Juliet Mendoza performs in the Yuma during day 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 14, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

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    “From our Latin families, we learn a lot about integrity and morals, so I always do everything with that in mind, and Coachella just happened naturally,” she continued. “I never thought I would be in the position I am in. I would have never thought I would be in this environment, or in this space, or even representing Latin women like this. It’s been a very hard journey, It’s not easy, but it led to here.”

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    Though some fans traveled from far away places to see Coachella’s top-tier acts, artists like Mendoza are put in the unique position to kick things off and set the mood for the day. In the Yuma Tent, where in previous years artists like Peggy Gou, Annie Mac, Duke Dumont, Jamie XX and others have graced the stage, Mendoza served up a nostalgic ’90s Latin house and disco set, spinning tracks like “Let The Music Play” by Shannon and a remix of “Poison” by Bell Biv DeVoe. A few dozen festival-goers were in the tent enjoying the air-conditioned dance floor and tunes as disco balls created a fun lighting effect above.

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    The set was eclectic and fun, making anyone who stopped by and didn’t necessarily know Mendoza sway their hips from side to side, something Mendoza said she was hoping that fans would do when catching her set.

    Before each show, Mendoza notes she likes to set an intention, saying that it’s important to her to never just go out there cold. Instead, she sits in gratitude and offers the audience something in particular through her sets.

    “My intention for today was to have everyone in the crowd connect with their ancestry, to just release and let go,” she said with a smile. “I just wanted everyone to connect with their inner child, so they can dance, play and just have a good time.”

    When asked about her intention for her second weekend performance on Friday, April 21, she said that it’s never the same nor is the music she plays.

    “Every performance is a little bit of a different flair, that’s the beauty of it,” she says. “I try not to play the same thing twice and maintain a balance. I’m not sure what that intention will be for weekend two of Coachella next week until I get here and then I’ll know. It might just be ‘Let’s praise and do this thing’ or ‘Let’s get ratchet and have a good time,’ but who knows.”

    Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival

    When: 12 p.m. April 21-23

    Where: Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio

    Tickets: Weekend two passes are $549 for three-day general admission; $1,069 for three-day VIP admission. All admission, parking and on-site camping options are available at coachella.com.

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    Coachella 2023: Grabriels impresses and Boygenius joins Muna during Day 1

    Coachella 2023: See photos from Day 1 of the festival 

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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