For the first time in three years, one of the biggest annual music festivals is back – bringing with it a stellar lineup of artists you won’t want to miss.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is held over two weekends (this year, it’s 15–17 and 22–24 April) in Indio, California. Festival-goers from all around the world travel to it. But fear not if you don’t have a ticket. You can watch the entire event via the official livestream on YouTube!
So who should you look out for during Coachella 2022? Here are eight acts we think won’t disappoint; a mix of recognisable big names and a few under-the-radar gems.
1. Harry Styles
Headlining the festival is Harry Styles, originally one-fifth of the best-selling boy band, One Direction, now making the big time on his own as a solo artist. Expect to see him perform hits from his ‘Fine Line’ album, such as ‘Golden’ and ‘Adore You’, along with his new single, ‘As It Was’ from his third album, ‘Harry’s House’, which is to be released on 20 May.
2. Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish is also one of the headliners at Coachella, and for good reason. At 20 years old, Eilish has already won seven Grammies, three BRIT awards and a Golden Globe award (to name a few). When she was just 17, she became the youngest UK female artist to have a number one album. One of her most popular songs is ‘Bad Guy’, which sold 19.5 million copies in 2019 and was the best-selling single of that year.
3. Dave
Another award-winning artist you can see at Coachella is Dave, also known as ‘Santan Dave’. He’s one of Britain’s most iconic rappers and won the Mercury Prize and Album of the Year at the BRITs in 2020 for his number one album ‘Psychodrama’. Dave’s just had his first number one single with ‘Starlight’, which was released earlier this year.
4. The Regrettes
The Regrettes is a punk rock band from LA, fronted by Lydia Night. They’ve just released their third album, ‘Further Joy’, which is more pop than punk according to NME, who billed the album as ‘shiny pop’ and ‘joyfully exuberant’.
5. Arooj Aftab
Brooklyn-based Pakistani singer and composer Arooj Aftab has gained global recognition for her work in recent years. This April, she won her first Grammy, in the Best Global Music Performance category, for her song ‘Mohabbat’. Aftab’s sound has been described as meditative; a blend of Sufi, folk, jazz and minimalism.
6. The Hu
If it’s rock you’re after, check out The Hu, a Mongolian folk-rock and heavy metal band. They have a unique sound; what the band call ‘HunnuRock’ – a blend of Mongolian traditional music and contemporary rock. But what’s really interesting about the style is the Mongolian throat singing. Watch this for a taster.
7. Daniel Caesar
Daniel Caesar is a Grammy-winning Canadian singer/songwriter with a couple of albums under his belt, not to mention a collaboration with Justin Bieber. Caesar’s style is influenced by soul and gospel, integrated with R&B. He’s just signed up with Republic Records and is working on his third album.
8. Phoebe Bridgers
California-born Phoebe Bridgers was originally in the rock band ‘Sloppy Jane’ before going solo as an indie rock musician. She’s had two albums, both of which have received critical acclaim. Bridgers received four Grammy nominations in 2021, and in the same year, won The Libbys with Best Live Act and Record of the Year for her album ‘Punisher’.
Wondering what to read next? Check out the full Coachella lineup and schedule here. You’ll also like the Best bits of the BRITs and our interview with J.Muller, independent singer, DJ, poet and music maker. (You’ll need to be a CE member to access the latter – here’s how to join us.)