Coachella Just Announced Their Lineup & We’re Freaking Out

It’s no surprise that as soon as Coachella announces their lineup, people freak out (including us). The two-weekend event, that takes place in April is the first big event of the festival season and sets the stage for the rest of the festival year. No matter what kind of music you are into, Coachella has a little bit of everything for everyone and it’s a festival you can’t miss. Want the down-low on who is coming? Keep reading to find out who is going to be the must-see of the festival. 

Headliners

The coveted spot of headliner this year goes to the reunited Rage Against The Machine on Friday, Travis Scott on Saturday and Frank Ocean on Sunday. All three artists were already expected to be the headliners but fans are still excited for the chance to see all three in concert. 

Rage Against The Machine was a fitting choice since they headlined the very first Coachella in 1999 and let fans know they were returning to the stage in November. While the group dispersed in the early 2000s do to creative differences, they have agreed to reunite and perform together again this year. 

For Travis Scott, the past year has been a big one with the release of an album, a tour among drama in his personal life. But with the three Grammy nominations, you can be sure that it will be an awesome show.

Frank Ocean has broken numerous music industry barriers and since his debut in 2012, fans have been waiting for him to take his rightful place as a headliner. Since it has been three years since his last album release, we are all excited to see what Ocean brings to the stage. 

Sub-Headliners

Under the headliners are Calvin Harris (former headliner) on Friday, Flume on Saturday and Lana Del Ray on Friday. Many fans were surprised that Del Ray wasn’t given the headline but based on the history of the festival and lack of female headliners, it truly isn’t surprising. Other sub-headliners include Jewels, Danny Elfman, Summer Walker, and 21 Savage. Truly a well-rounded lineup! 

Throwbacks

Along with Rage Against The Machine, there are several other groups that are coming out of retirement for the festival including Duck Sauce, which has been inactive since 2014, and BigBang, one of the original KPop groups that disbanded in 2018. Although Carly Rae Jepson has been producing music since her Call Me Maybe days, you can’t help but want to go check out her show just for the nostalgia. 

Tech Star

An interesting choice, Hatsune Miku has been an internet sensation for over 12 years despite the fact that she is not a real performer. Miku is a software creation called Vocaloid that allows users to compose music for Miku to perform. With catchy lyrics set to boppy music, it’s understandable that she became a sensation and the eight-foot-tall projection took her show on the road for concerts and is now coming to Coachella. 

Hatsune Miku isn’t actually the first virtual performer the festival has had. Gorillaz closed Coachella in 2010. This just proves that virtual musicians might be the new wave of trends at festivals this year and throughout the decade. 

Controversy

Yet again, it is surprising that there is a lack of female artists that are either headlining or towards the top of the list of performers. Over the years, the director of the festival has admitted that they need to increase the number of female artists, but in recent years, it remains that if there is a female headliner, they are alone among the male headliners. Most recently, Beyonce and Ariana Grande were the lone female headliners and were two of less than five female headliners in the festival’s history.

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Although the director promised change, the lineup tells a different story with Lana Del Ray, Megan Thee Stallion, Charlie XCX, Carlie Rae Jepson and Lauren Daigle all hidden in the small type. With mega artists who have crazy followings and record sales like Lizzo, Taylor Swift or Rhianna, you have to question what female artists have to do to get top spots. 

A reoccurring complaint is the price of the tickets. General Admission tickets start at $429 and if you need a ride to the grounds, it’s a combo deal of $504. If you are looking to make it a celebrity worthy experience, the VIP tickets start at $999 with preferred parking starting at $140. What started as a laid-back way for people to see all their favorite musicians at one event has turned into a costly way that the organizers don’t see changing any time soon. 

Can’t Miss

No matter your favorite style of music, Coachella does a great job getting a little bit of everything when it comes to music selection so you can be sure that there will be a performance you will absolutely love.

Here’s just a selection of the variety of musicians that are on the lineup for this year: Thom Yorke,  FKA twigs, DaBaby, Run the Jewels, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Nas X, City Girls, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Charli XCX, 21 Savage, Disclosure, Big Sean, Carly Rae Jepsen, Yaeji, Snail Mail, Denzel Curry, Danny Elfman, Cuco and Fatboy Slim. Obviously, you can search through the whole lineup poster to find your perfect jam but rest assured, there will be numerous performances you won’t want to miss. 

Tickets

Finally, no matter how you feel about Coachella, it’s getting harder and harder to attend with both weekends waitlisted almost as quickly as word got up about the lineup. The organizers decided this year to try a new pre-sale registration system. While the first weekend has already been sold out, you can go to the Coachella website to register to get on the waitlist for the second weekend. If you’re a local and still can’t get advanced tickets, don’t worry, additional general admission tickets are released for Coachella Valley residents a few days before the shows start. 

Have you been to Coachella? What do you think about this year’s lineup? Let us know in the comments below!