Desert Daze 2022: What a $1,999 VIP pass provided to festivalgoers

Brian Blueskye, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read

Most music festivals sell VIP packages that come with perks and exclusive access. New for 2022, Desert Daze offered a VIP+ wristband that offered added bonuses.

For those willing to spend $1,999 (a regular VIP pass for the whole weekend was priced at $649 to $849), VIP+ offered access to the elevated Horizon Bridge placed near the main stage (The Moon), which included an observation deck, wait staff providing beverage service, a separate bar and a curated happy hour.

There were also eight themed cabanas along the observation deck with a mixture of Bohemian and mid-century modern themes. One area featured an orange sofa with matching accessories while another looked like a meditation area with cushions on the floor. Several high-top tables with bar stools were also available.

The Horizon Bridge and observation deck at Desert Daze in Lake Perris, Calif., on October 2, 2022.
The Horizon Bridge and observation deck at Desert Daze in Lake Perris, Calif., on October 2, 2022.

However, food options in the VIP area between the Moon and nearby Block stages were limited to a single stand selling chicken sandwiches and dumplings while the general access area featured several options such as food trucks.

On Sunday afternoon, Luis Viera of Puerto Rico was enjoying the shade and sitting in a lounge chair reading a magazine behind the Horizon Bridge before a set by rapper JPEGMAFIA. He attends other music festivals in Europe and the U.S. and enjoys the services these areas provide at an extra cost.

When asked about the experience of VIP+, Viera said "It's not American Express" and compared it to having a similar package at the Primavera Sound in Barcelona Spain that was less expensive and came with what he called "butler service." But he did point out what he enjoyed about the access and the overall feeling of the festival.

"In terms of the decorating and curation, it really feels different," Viera said.

A look inside The Horizon Bridge at Desert Daze in Lake Perris, Calif., on October 2, 2022.
A look inside The Horizon Bridge at Desert Daze in Lake Perris, Calif., on October 2, 2022.

VIP+ also included access to the same exclusive zones a regular VIP pass provides at all stages, concierge service, separate restrooms and admittance to a VIP beach area. The passes did not include premium parking, camping or a separate festival entrance.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which sold VIP passes at $1,069 to $1,269 during its presale in June, does not offer a VIP+ program. Even though the VIP experience features separate areas with restrooms, bars and food vendors near the main and outdoor stages, those areas are often packed to capacity with thousands of people during peak hours and headliners.

Because Desert Daze average attendance is estimated to be around 10,000 people, it's easier to navigate throughout the entire weekend, with or without a VIP pass.

But for those who want to enjoy an IPA or M=mojito while sitting in a charmingly decorated area during a performance by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard or Chicano Batman, VIP+ is the way to go.

Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Daze 2022: What a new $1,999 VIP pass provided to festivalgoers