From original songs to covers, students brought performances, flower crowns and tie-dye to Archella Friday, April 21.

Before the pandemic, Archella was an annual tradition, but this is its first year back since COVID-19. In the courtyard, Student Council hosted a tie-dye station, a table to make flower crowns and passed out watermelon and lemonade. Nine students performed at Archella, all of whom auditioned by sending a video of what they would sing to Student Body President Rose Chuck (’23).

According to the LAist, Coachella is one of the largest music festivals in the world, with over 645,000 people in attendance. This year’s headliners included Bad Bunny, Blackpink and Frank Ocean all performing in Indio, CA April 14-16 and 21-23. However, this experience is not easy for all students to attend. Tickets are around $550 but can be upwards of $1400. According to freshman Allegra Carney, Archella brings creativity to campus for students unable to go.

“Archella is a really fun way to get a taste of what music festivals are like but also what Archer has to offer with their artists, and I think the creativity on campus really shines,” Carney said. “It gives students who did not attend Coachella the opportunity to experience something similar and bring the desert to Archer.”

Seventh grade performer Natalie Subotky sang “Non, Je ne Regrette Rien” by Édith Piaf and said Archella is a great opportunity to get out of her shell. She has always enjoyed singing but said she has been too nervous to perform in front of others.

“I’ve grown up in a musical family, and music has always been an important thing in my household,” Subotoky said. “I really enjoy singing and making music, but I’m always shy. I wanted to share it, and I decided to just do it in front of the Archer community. Everyone feels they can be there for each other, and I love that about Archer.”

Eighth grade singer Olivia Broock participates in plays, musicals and dance but found herself missing VOX performances where she can just sing. She auditioned with an original song called “The One,” which she wrote and performed on piano.

“I thought it would be a cool opportunity,” Broock said. “I auditioned with an original song, but I really wanted to stick with it. I kept on reworking it, and I really like where it is now.”

Ninth grade rep Caroline Collis said Archella helped amplify student voices in a fun way.

“Archella is a celebration of Archer voices, singers and artists,” Collis said. “It’s lovely to see everybody supporting our artists who work hard to perform their songs and even write their songs.”

Broock said Archer’s events are a beautiful way to see everyone supporting one another, and she is sometimes surprised by students’ talents.

“It’s really beautiful because everyone’s cheering everyone else on,” Broock said. “There are a lot of opportunities for students to showcase their talent … It’s just such a nice way to bring the community together and see how much we support each other.”