To be competitive, you need to be the first to do cool things. So Coachella found its way to enhance reality using new gadgets, new things that will make people talk about them.

Attendees at 2016 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will have the ability to experience the festival in a whole new way, thanks to some very new technology.

Goldenvoice is partnering with Silicon Valley startup Doppler Labs to bring the Here Active Listening System to the masses.

 

"Here" is an in-ear audio system using wireless earbuds and an app on your phone to control and personalize a live-audio environment.

The idea is that the earbuds, which are kind of like high-tech hearing aide, can be used to modify the sounds in your physical environment. It means eliminating background sounds, raising the bass, adjusting reverb or creating other sonic experiences.

Coachella attendees will be the first people outside of Kickstarter to have the opportunity to purchase "Here". Attendees will get an email with a purchase offer before Coachella begins and will receive "Here" in advance to get used to the setup. 

During the festival, there will be optimized stages for the earbuds, with presets attendees can use to listen to music in brand new ways. "Here" will also have tents and demonstration booths at Coachella to show attendees who didn't purchase Hear what the experience is all about.

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And of course the VR is the other cutting-edge technology that the festival couldn't not propose to its attendees. 

VR has become a key marketing tool, especially when it comes to big events. When Coachella attendees received the 2016 Welcome Box containing the requisite wristbands and more, a special edition Google Cardboard headset was in the package, too. The festival teamed up with Vantage.tv on a Coachella VR app available for viewing on Google's virtual reality accessory and the Samsung Gear VR. Inside the app, there's 360-degree photos from previous years alongside interviews and performances from artists that'll hit the stage at this year's soiree.

Most importantly, the application also offers a virtual tour of the festival grounds so folks making the trek to the desert can get familiarize themselves with the locations of the restrooms ahead of time. 

While this app is meant for attendees, anyone can take a look at the virtual goods through the apps. And those who are staying home will be able to livestream Coachella performances, of course. So this is a strong argument to make them buy a ticket for the next edition. 

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