I’m quietly confident that everyone that even almost has an association with music; whether that be a casual listener, a Billie Eilish super-fan, or just a freelance journalist writing your thoughts online – everyone in the UK woke up to the announcement of some pretty substantial names heading over to California’s own legendary Coachella Festival. Spread throughout the eclectic lineup we see a healthy serving of UK artists; including the festival’s first headliner since 2019 – Harry Styles. After 2 years of delays and cancellations, of course, due to COVID-19, this year’s lineup is due to be a special one, and with the festival going ahead in only 3 months set over 2 weekends in April – 15th to 17th, and 22nd to 24th. Fans are getting excited quickly.
YAY!
Presale for Weekend 2 starts Friday 1/14 at 10am PT. Weekend 1 is sold out. Register now at https://t.co/qujCsdCWkp pic.twitter.com/cEp5iNJY9M
— Coachella (@coachella) January 13, 2022
As well as the one and only Harry Styles on Friday, Northampton punk-rapper Slowthai has joined the bill after the success of his 2021 output Tyron, Bristol’s beloved post-punk powerhouse IDLES, Space rock maestros Spiritualized will also see the crowds of Coachella shortly after the release of their new album. Other artists performing on both of the festivals Friday’s include; indie darling Phoebe Bridgers, Aussie psych-rock legends King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Lil Baby may show off some of his new collaborative album with Lil Durk The Voice of Our Heroes, the DJ tent will also see quite a lot of variety with early 2000s classics like The Avalanches appearing alongside the up and coming Logic1000.
Saturday’s headliner Billie Eilish is also joined by a host of acts from over the pond; Reading and Leeds Festival headliners Disclosure sit particularly high on the bill, synth-pop party Hot Chip come a little earlier, along with Floating Points (who recently made it into our top 10 UK albums of 2021 with Promises), Mercury Prize Winner Arlo Parks, and Rina Sawayama show off some of Britain’s best female artists at the moment, and black midi brings their own blend of post-punk-jazz-noise to the desert. Flume, Megan Thee Stallion and BROCKHAMPTON fill out the upper section of the lineup, while Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, and Japanese Breakfast turn up for anyone else wanting something different.
The artist formerly known as Kanye West (now simply labelled Ye) is set to headline the festivals final days with 1/3 of indie icons The xx playing in the form of idiosyncratic drummer/DJ Jamie xx, Fatboy Slim keeps up the beach vibes and beabadoobee brings a little indie ambience to an otherwise dance and hip hop heavy day, Duke Dumont brings the British club scene with him too. The bunch will be joined by Hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, Doja Cat, Maggie Rogers, and even Sweden’s own punk output Viagra Boys.
Ticket information can be found here.
