Coachella’s recent livestream prioritized vertical video. This format is designed for phones, mirroring how many now consume content.
One viewer decided to test this experience fully. They watched approximately 18 hours of the festival exclusively on a mobile device.
The experiment was an immersion in the festival’s digital twin. It offered curated backstage moments and main stage performances from a single, intimate angle.
This vertical perspective creates a unique sense of presence. It can feel more personal than traditional broadcast views, like a friend sharing a clip.
However, this focused format also has significant limitations. The fixed frame often misses the scale and energy of the live crowd and full stage production.
Watching at home, even immersed in streams, highlights what is absent. The physical sensation of music and shared crowd experience remains irreplaceable.
The result is a potent mix of connection and isolation. It provides access while simultaneously amplifying feelings of missing out, or FOMO.
Ultimately, vertical livestreams are a compelling but incomplete substitute. They offer a new window into events, yet underscore why people still crave being there in person.
