This week on Road Gang Radio, Jimmy Mac and Lindsay Lawler turn up the volume with Katie Bain, Billboard’s Senior Music Correspondent and author of the upcoming book Desert Dreams: The Music, Style, and Allure of Coachella (out October 21).

From Prince to Daft Punk, Beyoncé to Tupac’s hologram, Coachella has shaped the soundtrack, style, and spirit of a generation. Katie gives an insider’s look at the festival’s rise from its roots in Southern California’s punk scene to a global pop culture phenomenon—covering everything from surprise reunions and viral fashion trends to the creative energy that makes Coachella the world’s most talked-about festival.

As someone who’s attended and reported on Coachella for over a decade, Katie shares behind-the-scenes stories, unforgettable performances, and the ways this desert gathering continues to influence music, art, and community worldwide.

Desert Dreams: The Music, Style, and Allure of Coachella

Available October 21, 2025 from Epic Ink Books

Read the book PDF preview: https://bit.ly/DesertDreamsPDF

Follow Katie Bain:

Website: https://www.mskatiebain.com/

Instagram: @mskatiebain

About Katie Bain:

Katie Bain is a music and culture journalist whose work has appeared in Billboard, The Guardian, VICE, Flaunt, and more. As Billboard’s Senior Music Correspondent, she covers electronic music, sustainability, and the ever-evolving live scene. Based in Los Angeles, Katie has covered Coachella for over 15 years and brings a uniquely personal perspective to her storytelling — one that captures the magic, chaos, and creative pulse of the desert’s biggest stage.

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