Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, the largest and most profitable music festival in the United States, brings a new beat to the stage with its diverse and surprisingly nostalgic 2026 lineup. Set to take place across the weekends of April 10-12 and April 17-19, the festival marks its 27th anniversary, continuing to forge a unique community of talented musicians, creative fanbases and incredible artistry.
The Empire Polo Club, Coachella’s one-and-only location in Indio, California, will soon see the faces of those who have made distinctive strides in the music industry. Kicking off day 1 for both weekends is Sabrina Carpenter, an American singer-songwriter who made Spotify history for her album, “Man’s Best Friend,” as the most-streamed album in a single day by a female artist. Her distinctive pop sound complements the other diverse genres set for the festival, such as Ethel Cain’s haunting vocals, Joyce Manor’s infamous pop-punk, Laufey’s jazz-infused harmonies, Subtronics’ electrifying synths and much more.
Record-Breaking
Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G will make history as the first Latina artist to headline Coachella this year. Although this is her second time at the festival, her own career as a reggaeton and Latin trap musician has skyrocketed between 2022 and today. Since then, Karol G won a Grammy, received a handful of Billboard Music Awards and scored major awards at the 2025 Latin Grammys for her album Tropicoqueta. BINI is also on track to break records as the first all-Filipino girl group to perform at Coachella. Known internationally for their modern, electro-pop rooted sounds, they received wide recognition in November 2025 at the Awit Awards, winning titles like Favorite Group Artist and Most Streamed Artist.
On top of these diverse milestones, Coachella itself broke its record for fastest sell-out time, with tickets wiped out just three days after the initial lineup dropped. Further, Justin Bieber broke the record as the highest-paid performer in Coachella history, securing a deal of roughly $10 million.
Here to Stay
A few of these names continue to make their presence known in today’s headlines. R&B artist and producer Dijon is set to bring his intimate, alternative vocals to day one. Fresh off his first-ever Grammy nominations for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and Album of the Year for his contributions on Justin Bieber’s SWAG, Dijon continues to cement himself as an influential voice in the soul landscape. Addison Rae, an American singer and actress, will perform at Coachella in her own solo slot following her surprise appearance with Arca in 2025. Rae also received a 2026 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.
A Slice of Nostalgia
Amid the wave of up-and-coming performers are a handful that are sure to turn heads. Day one welcomes The xx, an English indie rock band who last performed at Coachella in 2017, nearly a decade ago. The Strokes, an iconic New York alternative rock group, will also make themselves known on Saturday. Their presence in the 2010s indie music scene is not to be forgotten, and represents one of Coachella’s most influential time periods. Bieber’s presence on the main stage Saturday nights brings its own nostalgia from his iconic pop music that defined the 2010s. He is expected to perform from his newest 2025 albums, SWAG and SWAG II.
Coachella 2026 is expecting performances from over 130 of the world’s leading artists. Although passes are now sold out, eager fans can join the waiting list and buy resales here. YouTube will also return as the exclusive livestream partner for the entire festival, meaning listeners across the globe can experience the festival right from the comfort of their homes via Coachella’s official channel. And for the lucky individuals who snagged tickets just in time, consider checking out some of the official hotel packages offered through Valley Music Travel.
Leave a comment