COACHELLA 2026 Is a total sell out
Sunset at the Empire Polo Club - all photos Niyaz Pirani
Back in the early 2000s, an episode of VH1’s “Behind the Music” contained what Continues to be one of my all-time favorite quotes.
In the clip, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted talks about the concept of the band selling out once they gained popularity after The Black Album and collectively cut their hair, causing an uproar. Newsted looks at the interviewer and drops this gem: "Yeah, we sold out ... we sold out every seat in the house, every night, at every arena."
Last year I took to the polo field as In Spite Magazine’s resident Coachella correspondent. In the end, I surmised that, even though “rumors of Coachella’s demise have been greatly exaggerated for the better part of two decades," Coachella was “As Good As It’s Always Been.”
Now—as the festival embarks on its 25th anniversary, April 10-12 and April 17-19—we have the ultimate stat to prove it:
For the first time since the pandemic (and, if memory serves, since Beyoncé headlined in 2018), the festival has SOLD OUT, and aftermarket prices continue to propel sky-high—higher than I’ve ever seen them go before. The last ticket available on the AXS resale marketplace Thursday was listed for $6,400. Someone bought it.
Why? Because people wanna wild out, no matter the cost. It can also be attributed to Coachella doing what they do best—constructing lineups that mine the past, showcase the present, and give you a taste of the future, all in one of the most picturesque locales one could visit. Yes, it’s dusty, and yes, it’s hot, but after 17 Coachella's, I’ve acclimated to the worst so I can focus on the best of what this annual gauntlet has to offer.
There’s a lot to love this year.
Three huge pop stars of top their respective days—Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G. All three are promoting recent albums, and will presumably show up in the desert with entirely new shows to debut. Melodic techno artist Anyma—the first DJ to play Las Vegas Sphere—will world premiere his new show on Friday night after Sabrina’s stint on the Coachella Stage.
The lineup reunites English indie dreampop favorites The XX and South Korean boy band BIGBANG. The Strokes are back in a big way; so is Young Thug. KATSEYE and BINI will make their desert debuts. Dubstep is strong with Levity and Subtronics in Sahara. And Devo’s in on the action, too. Jack White was added as a surprise for Weekend One, giving the whole shindig extra oomph.
There’s so much happening musically. Even Radiohead will have a presence this year with an underground bunker/movie theater where they’re screening a Kid A film—something new this year, too.
The Bieber - all photos Niyaz Pirani
Really, though, I think this has a lot to do with the JUSTIN BIEBER effect.
The elusive pop star is considered an icon to a generation now in their 30s and 40s. He’s just as beloved by younger fans, too, making this a unifying headliner.
Reddit Coachella erupted earlier this week when he sound-checked material from his earlier albums after only playing songs from his recent albums “Swag” and “Swag II” in Los Angeles recently. If you grew up listening to 90s R&B, go back and listen to Changes and Justice, two certifiable 2010s bangers. I’ve been counting down the days until Bieberchella.
But it’s not just about Justin. I went through the rest of the lineup to highlight many things I think are worth watching on the field this year. If you have suggestions, leave them at the end of this article.
FRIDAY
LEVITY
My Friday headliner. Fresh off a tour featuring a giant spaceship and the most lasers ever used at a show in North America, Chicago-based dubstep trio Levity will debut A FUCKING VOLCANO in the Sahara tent Friday night. I expect their laser show director Corbin Sharpe will be in top form too, ready to blow the crowd’s mind with more bass and lasers than the human brain was meant to handle. BRING IT ON.
DISCLOSURE
The Lawrence brothers play Coachella every few years—sometimes in a hybrid electronic iteration and other times as a duo DJ set. This time, Disclosure’s going the band route, recreating their sound in full with a number of players. The set debuted earlier this week, but I’m excited to hear it on Coachella’s sound system. They dropped a new song this week, too, leading me to believe an album won’t be far behind.
THE XX
Romy, Oliver Simm, and Jamie XX conjure dreamy magic when they play together, but it’s been eight years since that happened. The XX recently held a warm-up show in Mexico but will fully reconvene to assume their place on the indie rock pantheon Friday night. While all three have explored solo work in recent years, nothing gives you the feels quite like “Intro” and “Say Something Loving.”
TURNSTILE
Turnstile may be polarizing in hardcore circles, but to regular ol’ rock fans, their blend of hardcore and sonic softness really hits the spot for me. Glow On was maybe generational; Never Enough is just as great. They’re slated to play the Outdoor Theatre for their third time at Coachella. I’m cheering them on. It’s well deserved.
P.S.—The play, if you can hoof it, will be to start with Moby and finish with Turnstile. He plays “Porcelain” fourth in his set, he posted, and it’s sublime live.
DEVO
I could’ve sworn Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh said the band was on their farewell tour back at Desert Daze 2019, yet here we are, still ready to “Whip It” good in 2026. Being unfamiliar with their songs outside of that ubiquitous hit, I found their performance to be captivating. I didn’t know how many Devo songs I actually knew and how many other perfect gems had just been waiting for me to discover all along. “Uncontrollable Urge” is right.
NINAJIRACHI
Ninajirachi’s making a lot of noise, and for all the right reasons. The Australian DJ’s known for high-energy hyperpop—and from the look of the video above, she’s too big for Sonora. Yet that’s where she’ll be, and you’ll wait in line, and you’ll like it.
WEDNESDAY
Asheville, North Carolina’s Wednesday dropped its sixth album, Bleeds, last year, and it left such an impression on me. It’s 90s alt-rock through and through, with quiet journeys and at least one gnarly rip-your-face-off moment that I can’t wait to hear live. Lead singer Karly Hartzman brings it on every song, whether it’s beautiful or destructive.
SATURDAY
NINE INCH NOIZE
NINE INCH NOIZE
My Saturday headliner. German DJ Boys Noize will pull double duty Saturday night as a solo act and part of the collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross known as Nine Inch Noize. The DJ reworked a handful of songs from Nine Inch Nail’s catalog, including the iconic “Closure.” The segment0—expanded here to a full set and soon to be released as an album—is sure to blow the roof off Sahara come Saturday night.
THE STROKES
Julian Casablancas and Co. are back on the polo field for the third time, the same day Jack White and Interpol will play, giving us very nostalgic vibes the whole day. The Strokes have a reputation for uneven performances, but they were incendiary when I saw them in 2019, and the new song they dropped—even with the autotune vocals—is pretty damn vibey. I’m ready to dance like it’s 2001 again.
P.S.—They conflict with Labyrinth, who is sure to put on one of the best shows you’ll ever see in your life, so flip around on the livestream if you aren’t going.
David Byrne - all photos Niyaz Pirani
DAVID FUCKIN’ BYRNE
Solo genius. Revered former frontman of Talking Heads. David Byrne will play songs from both sides of his deeply rich catalog, with a presentation that’s as suited for Broadway as it is the Coachella stage. It was a dream come true the first time he played in 2018, and I’m a bit in disbelief he’s coming around again.
P.S.—He conflicts with Interpol, but sometimes you have to make the tough choice. Always choose the legend. Even when it’s hard.
YOUSUKE YUKIMATSU
This Japanese DJ set the electronic world on fire with his energetic Boiler Room set from Tokyo, and he’s about to bring that same shirtless energy to the Sahara. Look for Yousuke Yukimatsu to take you on a sonic journey with a diverse selection of tracks that are unbound by genre and imagination.
GEESE
New York’s band of right now has been riding high on the critical success of its fourth effort, “Getting Killed”” since September 2025. Geese is simultaneously a short fuse on a big bomb and a quiet roar that could soothe you to sleep. The juxtaposition is puzzling, yet it pulls you in and keeps you there. Booked in the Gobi, which will be a mad house for these guys come Saturday night.
54 Ultra
Singer John Anthony Rodriquez is putting down the chill retro Latin vibes I’ve been missing since Chicano Batman faded away. He makes you feel nostalgic for a time and place you may not have ever been to, but still regardless. Such is the power of an old soul.
JACK WHITE
Last year Coachella booked Weezer and Ed Sheeran as surprise guests. This year Weekend One will get former White Stripe and current blue badass Jack White pluggin’ in for a set in a tent. He just hit SNL last week to promote two new songs, so look for him to possibly air out a bunch of newbies and, of course, a numerous mega-hits when he OPENS the Mojave tent Saturday afternoon.
SUNDAY
KASKADE
I’ve made it a point to mostly avoid Kaskade’s music because I’m new to electronic music and have been waiting to see him play live at Coachella as an introduction. In 2015, he famously brought about 90,000 people to the main stage for the epic moment in the video above. I can’t wait to see what he has in store to close out Coachella.
IGGY FUCKIN’ POP
Just as great a booking as David fucking Byrne. Self-explanatory, really. It’s been 23 years since he reunited The Stooges at Coachella 2003, so it’s long overdue for this absolute legend to make his return to the Polo Field.
FKA TWIGS
After losing FKA Twigs performances in 2020 to the pandemic and 2025 to visa issues, we’re thisclose to seeing her finally take the stage at Coachella 2026. I was obsessed with her performance for Valentino, and I can’t wait to see her bring her latest album, "Eusexua," to life here.
WET LEG
This band from the Isle of Wight had an earworm with “Chaise Lounge” a few years back, but its latest album Moisturizer has me hooked thoroughly with its infectious, off-kilter indie rock and frontwoman Rhian Teasdale’s magnetic energy. I’ve been counting down the days until I could jump around to "C.P.R." and “Catch These Fists.”
LITTLE SIMZ
I know very little about Little Simz outside of the fact that I love her song “Gorilla,” because it gets me so hype. Excited to see what more she has to offer with a flow like hers and energy to match.
Worship
This supergroup Worship will be the first drum & bass act to headline Sahara, and everyone skipping Bieber will be in for a major party. The DJ Dimension, who is part of this group, is a personal favorite, but when all four—Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991—come together, the result is pure mayhem.
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
Last year we had Circle Jerks. This year we have Suicidal Tendencies and the reformed amalgam of Black Flag featuring Greg Ginn and a new lineup of Gen Z players. I always try to stop in for at least one punk set as a celebration of Goldenvoice’s roots as a punk rock promoter, so if I’m choosing one this year, it’s going to be Suicidal.
JANE REMOVER
Jane Remover makes the kind of noise I love. Bass-heavy, glitched out, auto-tuned. I’m very excited to get my day started on Sunday with them, considering how much I enjoyed last year’s album, Revengeseekerz.
