{"id":253961,"date":"2026-04-06T11:36:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/253961\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T11:36:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:36:48","slug":"coachella-photos-through-the-years-iconic-performances-and-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/253961\/","title":{"rendered":"Coachella photos through the years: Iconic performances and art"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival<\/a> became a world-famous event, it started as a much more modest music festival in Southern California\u2019s desert in 1999.<\/p>\n

During the festival, the Empire Polo Club in Indio has been the site of some of the biggest music and pop culture moments of the century, from Daft Punk\u2019s iconic pyramid spectacle in the Sahara Tent<\/a> in 2006 to Beyonc\u00e9 bringing a legendary \u201cHomecoming\u201d<\/a> to Coachella\u2019s largest stage in 2018.<\/p>\n

As the festival kicks off its 25th year, we combed through The Times\u2019 extensive archives to take a trip down Coachella\u2019s memory lane. Scroll through and you\u2019ll see those epic moments from Daft Punk, Beyonc\u00e9, Prince<\/a> and Madonna<\/a>, but also the iconic large art installations at the festival and just how much the event has grown and changed over the years. <\/p>\n

1999<\/p>\n

The inaugural Coachella happened in October 1999 and was a two-day affair headlined by Beck, Rage Against the Machine and Tool, which The Times\u2019 then-pop music critic Robert Hilburn dubbed the \u201cAnti-Woodstock 99.\u201d<\/a> However, the inaugural event was marred by a triple-digit heat wave and was a financial disaster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Two <\/p>\n

Dennis Carrillo wears a sombrero as a shield against the blistering sun as he and friend Dario Soto, both of Los Angeles, walk toward the stage at the inaugural Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio in October 1999, where the temperature hit triple digits.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Beck <\/p>\n

Beck was one of the headliners of the original Coachella in October 1999.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Thousands <\/p>\n

Thousands of music fans wait at the main stage area at the inaugural Coachella in 1999.<\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

Rage Against the Machine was one of the headliners of the inaugural Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 1999. <\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2001<\/p>\n

Due to the financial losses, Coachella skipped a year and returned in April 2001 as a one-day event with a headlining set by Jane\u2019s Addiction<\/a> and a bill featuring artists such as Weezer and Paul Oakenfold. It drew more than 32,000 people to the desert.<\/p>\n

\"Perry <\/p>\n

When Coachella returned as a one-day event in 2001, Jane\u2019s Addiction headlined the show. <\/p>\n

(Lori Shepler \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Even in its early years, Coachella made art part of the vibe. In 2001, people on stilts roamed the field in front of the main stage. <\/p>\n

(Lori Shepler \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Thousands <\/p>\n

Thousands of fans hang out on the main field at Coachella in 2001.<\/p>\n

(Lori Shepler \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"DJ <\/p>\n

Paul Oakenfold\u2019s first time playing Coachella was in 2001. <\/p>\n

(Lori Shepler \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2002<\/p>\n

Coachella went back to being a two-day event in 2002, headlined by Bjork<\/a> and Oasis<\/a>. One of the emerging acts on the bill that year was a rock combo out of New York called The Strokes<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Noel <\/p>\n

Oasis, with guitarist Noel Gallagher, headlined the second day of Coachella 2002. <\/p>\n

(Kevin P. Casey \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Julian <\/p>\n

When The Strokes first played Coachella in 2002, the New York band was just emerging in the rock scene. Singer Julian Casablancas and the group will perform again in 2026.<\/p>\n

(Kevin P. Casey \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Bjork, <\/p>\n

The first time Bjork headlined Coachella was the 2002 edition of the festival.<\/p>\n

(Kevin P. Casey \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Two <\/p>\n

Fans watch arm in arm as Oasis closes out Coachella 2002.<\/p>\n

(Kevin P. Casey \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2003<\/p>\n

The Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined Coachella 2003<\/a>, but the lineup also included The White Stripes, Iggy and The Stooges, Underworld<\/a> and the Blue Man Group. <\/p>\n

\"Looking <\/p>\n

Coachella attracted about 35,000 fans per day in 2003. <\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Meg <\/p>\n

The White Stripes were one of the standout acts at Coachella 2003.<\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

The Sahara Tent has always been the heartbeat of Coachella\u2019s dance scene, but in 2003 it was much smaller than the airplane hangar-sized stage it is today. <\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Blue <\/p>\n

The Blue Man Group performed at the 2003 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2004<\/p>\n

In 2004, the Flaming Lips created an iconic Coachella moment<\/a> when singer Wayne Coyne traveled over the crowd in a giant inflatable ball. Headlined by Radiohead and The Cure<\/a>, the festival also included a reunion of the Pixies. It also marked Coachella\u2019s first sellout, with 60,000 attendees per day. <\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The Flaming Lips\u2019 Wayne Coyne travels over the Coachella 2004 crowd in an inflated plastic bubble.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Flashes <\/p>\n

Syd Klinge\u2019s \u201cCauac\u201d Tesla coil was one of Coachella\u2019s firstart pieces. It made its debut in 2004. <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Frank <\/p>\n

Coachella 2004 featured a highly-regarded reunion of the Pixies.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Thousands <\/p>\n

Fans brave sweltering heat as they wait for the Pixies to perform at Coachella 2004.<\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2005<\/p>\n

Coldplay<\/a> and Nine Inch Nails<\/a> headlined Coachella in 2005. Weezer, The Chemical Brothers and Wilco were some of the other notable acts on the bill. Among the memorable moments was the reunion of Bauhaus<\/a> and singer Peter Murphy performing \u201cBela Lugosi\u2019s Dead\u201d while hanging upside down like a bat.<\/p>\n

\"Shot <\/p>\n

Wilco performs before a crowd of tens of thousands at dusk at the 2005 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. <\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Trent <\/p>\n

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails headlined Coachella in 2005. Reznor will return to the festival in 2026 with German music producer Boys Noize to perform as Nine Inch Noize.<\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Thousands <\/p>\n

Music fans break a sweat dancing in the Sahara Tent during the 2005 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Allen Writhen, of Santa Maria, takes a spin on a bicycle at the Cyclecide arena at Coachella 2005. Cyclecide, a San Francisco\u2013based bicycle rodeo group, brought bike-centric art installations to Coachella for multiple years.<\/p>\n

(Myung J. Chun \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2006<\/p>\n

Technically Depeche Mode<\/a> and Tool headlined Coachella in 2006, but neither of those is the act everyone remembers from that year. Daft Punk brought out its elaborate pyramid stage<\/a> and changed the festival and dance music. It was also the year that Madonna surprised Coachella fans<\/a> by performing in the Sahara Tent. Kanye West<\/a> was added to the lineup two days before the festival.<\/p>\n

\"Daft <\/p>\n

One of the most iconic moments in Coachella\u2019s history was the performance by French electronic duo Daft Punk at the 2006 festival.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Madonna <\/p>\n

Madonna surprised Coachella fans by making her festival debut in the Sahara Tent in 2006.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Alisa Davis, of Las Vegas, enjoys the music and the view at Coachella 200 from Michael Christian\u2019s climbable sculpture \u201cHypha.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Dave Gahan and Depeche Mode headlined the opening night of Coachella 2006. <\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2007<\/p>\n

Coachella expanded to three days in 2007 with headliners Bjork, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine<\/a>. Amy Winehouse<\/a> performed to an overflowing Gobi Tent. However, it was the reunited Rage that made headlines, particularly when Zack de la Rocha called for the George W. Bush administration to be \u201chung and tried and shot\u201d<\/a> for war crimes during \u201cWake Up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Zack <\/p>\n

Zack de la Rocha called for the Bush administration to be tried for war crimes during Rage Against the Machine\u2019s reunion set at Coachella 2007. <\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Stefano Corazza\u2019s \u201cA Field of Sunflower Robots\u201d was one of the interactive art installations at Coachella 2007. <\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times )<\/p>\n

\"British <\/p>\n

Raising the flag, music fans from all over the world set up camp at Coachella 2007.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Woman <\/p>\n

Abigail Plumhof traveled from New York to Indio for Coachella 2007.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2008<\/p>\n

Prince was added as a headliner<\/a> two weeks before the festival began and performed a cover of Radiohead\u2019s \u201cCreep\u201d that is still talked about. It was also the one year that there was a dedicated Coachella Express Amtrak train<\/a> from Los Angeles to Indio. Jack Johnson headlined the first night and Roger Waters closed the main stage, performing Pink Floyd\u2019s \u201cDark Side of the Moon\u201d and letting a giant inflatable pig loose in the sky<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Prince <\/p>\n

Prince headlined Saturday night of Coachella 2008, performing a memorable cover of Radiohead\u2019s \u201cCreep.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

Kestrin Pantera dances while Marc Goldstein DJs aboard a special Amtrak charter, the Coachella Express, which traveled from Los Angeles to Indio in 2008. The free train service provided transportation to Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival attendees.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Roger <\/p>\n

Roger Waters performed Pink Floyd\u2019s \u201cDark Side of the Moon\u201d during the final day of Coachella 2008. His set also included a giant inflatable pig that was let loose into the Indio night. <\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

A dance circle develops inside the Do Lab at the 2008 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2009<\/p>\n

Coachella 2009 marked the final year the general public could buy single-day tickets to the festival. Paul McCartney headlined opening night and played 50-plus minutes after curfew<\/a>. When The Cure tried the same thing to close down Sunday, the sound was cut earlier. Sandwiched in between was a headlining set from The Killers. Other notable performers included M.I.A., who stepped in after Amy Winehouse dropped off the lineup<\/a>, Morrissey, who complained about the smell of burning flesh<\/a>, and Leonard Cohen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Paul <\/p>\n

Paul McCartney headlined the main stage at Coachella 2009 in a career-spanning set that went nearly an hour past the 1 a.m. curfew.<\/p>\n

(Spencer Weiner \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

Festivalgoers find shade in the Do Lab at Coachella 2009.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"M.I.A. <\/p>\n

M.I.A. stepped in to perform at Coachella 2009 after Amy Winehouse dropped off the lineup. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"a <\/p>\n

\u201cBamboo Starscraper\u201d was a 90-foot-tall bamboo tower by Gerard Minakawa that was part of the art at the festival in 2009.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2010<\/p>\n

This year was the first time the festival only offered three-day passes and Coachella drew a record 75,000 people per day<\/a>, up nearly 15,000 from the previous year. It was also the year Coachella had its first rap headliner with Jay-Z<\/a>, who brought out wife Beyonc\u00e9 to perform \u201cYoung Forever.\u201d The other headliners in 2010 were Muse and Gorillaz. The eruption of an Icelandic volcano kept some artists from getting to the festival, including The Cribs and Frightened Rabbit. Then there was Sly Stone\u2019s oft-delayed set that ended with him ranting about his former manager and led to a slander lawsuit<\/a>. The full festival was also livestreamed for the first time. <\/p>\n

\" <\/p>\n

In 2010, Jay-Z became the first rapper to headline Coachella. He brought out wife Beyonc\u00e9 as a surprise guest. <\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Members <\/p>\n

Members of the Old Crow Medicine Show jam in the VIP area of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio in 2010.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"DJ <\/p>\n

DJ Lance Rock and the creatures of \u201cYo Gabba Gabba!\u201d performed at Coachella in 2010.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

The crowd reacts during Benny Benassi\u2019s DJ set in the Sahara Tent at Coachella 2010.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2011<\/p>\n

Kanye West closed out Coachella 2011, the year before the fest expanded to double weekends, with a theatrical main stage set that featured dozens of dancers<\/a>. He co-headlined with The Strokes on a lineup that also included Kings of Leon and Arcade Fire, the latter of which dropped giant light-up LED balls on the crowd as part of the performance<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Kanye <\/p>\n

Kanye West had an elaborate headlining set with dancers to close Coachella 2011.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"a <\/p>\n

A concertgoer crowd-surfs as Death From Above 1979 performed at Coachella 2011.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Giant <\/p>\n

Arcade Fire dropped giant balloons that had LED lights in them during its 2011 Coachella headlining set. <\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Concertgoers cool off at Coachella 2011.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2012<\/p>\n

In 2012, Coachella added a second weekend. It also marked the first time in Coachella history when the famously sunny desert festival received rain<\/a>. The big moment of the festival was the Tupac Shakur hologram<\/a> that appeared on stage with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg during their headlining performance. The other artists topping the bill included The Black Keys \u2014 who brought out John Fogerty for a Levon Helm tribute<\/a> Weekend 2 \u2014 Radiohead<\/a>, Pulp<\/a> and Swedish House Mafia<\/a>. Attendance was estimated at 85,000 people per weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Snoop <\/p>\n

Snoop Dogg performs with a hologram of Tupac Shakur near the end of the Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre\u2019s headlining set at Coachella 2012. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Three <\/p>\n

Laura Newton, left, Lucy Holme and Louise Watkins from Britain attended their first Coachella in 2012 and protected themselves from the rain that swept in on opening day with garbage bags.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"David <\/p>\n

David Guetta brought lots of lasers to his performance in the Sahara Tent at Coachella 2012.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Aerial <\/p>\n

An aerial view of the 2012 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. <\/p>\n

(Arkasha Stevenson \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2013<\/p>\n

Blur and The Stone Roses shared headlining duties on opening night in a celebration of Britpop while Phoenix and the Red Hot Chili Peppers also had headlining turns during the weekends, the latter battling a nasty dust storm Weekend 1<\/a>. The house-centric (and air-conditioned) nightclub-like Yuma Tent also made its debut<\/a> in 2013. Art collective Poetic Kinetics brought \u201cHelix Poeticus,\u201d colloquially known as the Coachella Snail<\/a>, to Indio. <\/p>\n

\"a <\/p>\n

\u201cHelix Poeticus,\u201d created by Poetic Kinetics makes its way, slowly, across the polo field at Coachella 2013.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Flea <\/p>\n

Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers headlined Sunday night at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"dozens <\/p>\n

The Yuma Tent made its debut at Coachella 2013 with air conditioning, a hardwood floor and comfy chairs.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\" <\/p>\n

Tesla coils by artist Syd Klinge go off along with the \u201cCoachella Power Station,\u201d left, by artists Vanessa Bonet, Derek Doublin and Chris Waggoner at Coachella 2013. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2014<\/p>\n

A reunited Outkast<\/a>, Muse and Arcade Fire<\/a> headlined Coachella 2014, but one of the most memorable performances was Pharrell Williams\u2019 star-studded set<\/a> on the Outdoor Theatre. We also saw the debut of Poetic Kinetics\u2019 \u201cEscape Velocity,\u201d a.k.a. the Coachella astronaut, and the mirrored \u201cReflection Fields\u201d by Phillip K. Smith<\/a> among the festival\u2019s major art installations.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A nearly 40-foot tall astronaut, \u201cEscape Velocity\u201d by L.A. art collective Poetic Kinetics, is reflected in \u201cReflection Fields\u201d by Phillip K. Smith at the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Andre <\/p>\n

Andre 3000 of Outkast performs inside a screen box opening day of the 2014 festival. Andre 3000 and Big Boi reunited for the festival.<\/p>\n

(Bethany Mollenkof \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"thousands <\/p>\n

Fans pack the Sahara Tent for the performance of Showtek at Coachella 2014. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\" <\/p>\n

Pharell Williams performs at the second weekend of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.<\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2015<\/p>\n

AC\/DC<\/a>, Jack White<\/a> and Drake headlined, the latter bringing out Madonna for a smooch<\/a>, but Florence + The Machine<\/a> was one of the breakout performances from the year, literally. Florence Welch broke her foot Weeken d 1. This year also featured some of the most memorable art in the festival\u2019s history, with the hippos running \u201cCorporate Headquarters\u201d<\/a> and the transformation of Poetic Kinetics\u2019 Coachella caterpillar<\/a> into a butterfly. <\/p>\n

\"Angus <\/p>\n

Angus Young duck walked in his traditional schoolboy uniform during AC\/DC\u2019s Coachella 2015 headlining performance.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"colorful <\/p>\n

Music fans flock to \u201cDesiderium Eruca,\u201d Poetic Kinetics\u2019 large butterfly sculpture that replaced the \u201cPapilio Merraculous\u201d caterpillar sculpture at Coachella 2015.<\/p>\n

(Marcus Yam \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Florence <\/p>\n

Florence + The Machine was one of the memorable performances at Coachella 2015. Singer Florence Welch broke her foot when she leaped from the stage during Weekend 1. <\/p>\n

(Marcus Yam \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Aerial <\/p>\n

Aerial performers spin above the crowd at the Do Lab at Coachella 2015.<\/p>\n

(Marcus Yam \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2016<\/p>\n

Guns N\u2019 Roses reunited for the festival<\/a>, where singer Axl Rose performed from a throne after breaking his foot at a warm-up show at the Troubadour a week before<\/a>. The festival also included performances from Ice Cube (with a reunion of N.W.A)<\/a> and Mavis Staples<\/a> as well as headlining sets from the reunited LCD Soundsystem<\/a> and Calvin Harris, who brought out Rihanna<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Axl <\/p>\n

After breaking his foot the week before Coachella 2016 during Guns N\u2019 Roses\u2019 Troubadour warm-up show, Axl Rose performed on stage at Coachella atop the motorized throne Dave Grohl previously used on tour after breaking his leg. <\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"people <\/p>\n

Alejandro Murcia and Wanda Quintero take a photo in front of R&R Studios\u2019 \u201cBesame Mucho\u201d installation at Coachella 2016. The typographic sign was covered in silk flowers and is among the more memorable art pieces from the year. Today, the installation lives on at Miami International Airport. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Ice <\/p>\n

Ice Cube\u2019s performance at Coachella in 2016 led to an on-stage reunion with the surviving members of N.W.A, featuring MC Ren and DJ Yella Weekend 1 with Dr. Dre joining them on Weekend 2. <\/p>\n

(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"two <\/p>\n

Brian Sneed and Claudia Jerez jump as a friend takes their photo in front of the \u201cKatrina Chairs\u201d art installation at Coachella 2016.<\/p>\n

(Katie Falkenberg \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2017<\/p>\n

Beyonc\u00e9 was originally supposed to headline<\/a> Coachella in 2017 but was pregnant, so Lady Gaga<\/a> stepped in. Kendrick Lamar<\/a> and Radiohead also headlined<\/a>, with the former releasing \u201cDamn.\u201d on the first day of the festival<\/a>. Hans Zimmer<\/a> brought an orchestra and performed his biggest music from the movies too. The festival grounds expanded 20 acres and Coachella boosted capacity from 99,000 to 125,000 people<\/a>. This year was also the debut of the Sonora Tent<\/a>, which offers air-conditioning and rock club vibes.<\/p>\n

\"Lady <\/p>\n

The first time Lady Gaga headlined Coachella was in 2017 and it was because she stepped in after Beyonc\u00e9 had to postpone due to her pregnancy.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

Crowds of people take photos of Gustavo Prado\u2019s art piece \u201cLamp Beside the Golden Door\u201dat Coachella 2017. The sculpture featured more than 2,100 mirrors.<\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Kendrick <\/p>\n

Kendrick Lamar released \u201cDamn.\u201d the Friday of Coachella 2017 Weekend 1, two days before his headlining performance that included ninjas.<\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Olalekan Jeyifous\u2019 50-foot-tall \u201cCrown Ether\u201d treehouse art installation provided a backdrop for photos at Coachella 2017. <\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2018<\/p>\n

Coachella was already regarded globally as a music festival. Then Beyonc\u00e9 turned Coachella into the pop culture moment of the year<\/a>. Coachella became Beychella<\/a> and her Homecoming performance was nothing short of epic, even becoming its own Netflix special<\/a>. Beyond Beyonc\u00e9, Eminem<\/a> and The Weeknd<\/a> headlined, but one of the other standouts was Cardi B\u2019s TLC-inspired performance<\/a> on the main stage. On the grounds, 2018 was the year \u201cSpectra,\u201d the cylindrical rainbow tower, became part of the festival\u2019s landscape.<\/p>\n

\"Beyonce <\/p>\n

Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s stunning headlining performance at Coachella 2018 celebrated America\u2019s historically Black colleges and universities. Her set also featured cameos from husband Jay-Z, sister Solange and a Destiny\u2019s Child reunion. <\/p>\n

(Luis Sinco \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Ferris <\/p>\n

The rainbow-colored cylindrical tower \u201cSpectra\u201d made its debut at Coachella in 2018. <\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Cardi <\/p>\n

Cardi B performed a set inspired by TLC at Coachella in 2018. <\/p>\n

(Kent Nishimura \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

Festival goers walk in front of Edoardo Tresoldi\u2019s \u201cEtherea\u201d wire mesh cathedral structures and Randy Polumbo\u2019s \u201cLodestar,\u201d which was made with the fuselage of a military jet, at Coachella 2018. <\/p>\n

(Maria Alejandra Cardona \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2019<\/p>\n

Ariana Grande<\/a>, Childish Gambino<\/a> and Tame Impala<\/a> headlined Coachella in 2019, but the big memories from that year were the rise of artists like Bad Bunny<\/a> and Billie Eilish<\/a> as they were becoming bona fide superstars. Arguably the most memorable performance of the year wasn\u2019t even during normal festival hours \u2014 it was when Kanye West held a Sunday Service<\/a> in the campgrounds on Easter Sunday during Weekend 2. Meanwhile, to mark Coachella\u2019s 20th year, Poetic Kinetics brought back the famous roving Coachella astronaut<\/a> in a new form as \u201cOverview Effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bad <\/p>\n

Bad Bunny\u2019s set at Coachella 2019 included a guest spot from J Balvin. <\/p>\n

(Mariah Tauger \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Kanye <\/p>\n

Kanye West\u2019s Easter Sunday Service happened outside of the main festival grounds during Weekend 2 of the Coachella 2019.<\/p>\n

(Kent Nishimura \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

\u201cOverview Effect,\u201d a roaming astronaut sculpture made by Poetic Kinetics, roams around the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club grounds in Indio. <\/p>\n

(Brian van der Brug \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Fans <\/p>\n

Fans go wild as confetti drops during Tame Impala\u2019s headlining performance at Coachella 2019. <\/p>\n

(Mariah Tauger \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2022<\/p>\n

After the coronavirus pandemic canceled Coachella<\/a> in 2020 and 2021<\/a>, fans were excited to be back at the polo grounds in 2022. L.A. native Billie Eilish rose to headliner status<\/a>, along with Harry Styles<\/a>. Kanye West was supposed to headline Sunday night<\/a> but canceled two weeks before the fest and was replaced by The Weeknd<\/a> and Swedish House Mafia.<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Silhouette <\/p>\n

Billie Eilish\u2019s 2022 Coachella headlining turn included a guest spot from Damon Albarn to join her for \u201cGetting Older\u201d and \u201cFeel Good Inc.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Fans <\/p>\n

Wearing the signature blue wigs of Karol G, music fans cheered the star as she arrived on the main stage at Coachella 2022. <\/p>\n

(Gina Ferazzi \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd became a last-minute headliner replacement for Kanye West at Coachella 2022. <\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

One of the largest art installations at Coachella 2022 was Cristopher Cichocki\u2019s \u201cCircular Dimensions x Microscape,\u201d which was made with more than 25,000 feet of PVC tubes and was five stories tall. At night, images were projected on the piece. <\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2023<\/p>\n

Bad Bunny<\/a> and Blackpink<\/a> headlined both weekends of the 2023 festival. Frank Ocean gave a divisive performance Weekend 1<\/a> before dropping off the Weekend 2 lineup<\/a>. A reunited Blink-182 was initially a surprise addition<\/a> to the festival\u2019s bill and played in the Sahara Tent Weekend 1 before moving to the main stage to help fill the gap left by Ocean Weekend 2. The festival also added a combo of Skrillex, Fred Again.. and Four Tet<\/a> to replace the absent headliner.<\/p>\n

\"Bad <\/p>\n

Bad Bunny performs at Coachella Weekend 1 in 2023. <\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"People <\/p>\n

People walk by G\u00fcven\u00e7 \u00d6zel\u2019s sculpture \u201cHoloflux\u201d at Coachella 2023.<\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Wearing <\/p>\n

Doechii performs at Coachella 2023.<\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Blink-182 <\/p>\n

A reunited Blink-182 joined the Coachella 2023 lineup days before the festival. The band played in the Sahara Tent during Weekend 1 before moving to the main stage Weekend 2 to help fill the gap left by headliner Frank Ocean dropping off the bill. <\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2024<\/p>\n

Lana del Rey<\/a>, Tyler, the Creator<\/a> and Doja Cat<\/a> headlined the festival in 2024, but one of the big draws was the reunion of No Doubt, who brought out Olivia Rodrigo<\/a>. Sabrina Carpenter, who is headlining the 2026 festival, also performed on the main stage during the day. The big changes in 2024 were that the main festival grounds expanded with a larger Sahara Tent<\/a> on the southern end of the site and the addition of the Quasar Stage<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Tyler, <\/p>\n

Tyler, the Creator\u2019s headlining set at Coachella 2024 featured the rapper dressed as a park ranger and an elaborate national park-like stage set.<\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Gwen <\/p>\n

Gwen Stefani of No Doubt performs at Coachella 2024. The band reunited for the festival and brought out Olivia Rodrigo as a guest.<\/p>\n

(Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\" <\/p>\n

Doja Cat was the Sunday night headliner at Coachella 2024 and her performance included dancers dressed like yetis. <\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Chappell <\/p>\n

Chappell Roan was one of the breakout stars at Coachella 2024. <\/p>\n

(Dania Maxwell \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

2025<\/p>\n

Lady Gaga<\/a>, Green Day<\/a> and Post Malone<\/a> headlined the festival, but other memorable moments included Benson Boone<\/a> and his acrobatics, Gustavo Dudamel conducting the L.A. Phil<\/a> and a surprise appearance by Sen. Bernie Sanders<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\"Profile <\/p>\n

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs on the main stage at Coachella 2025.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\" <\/p>\n

Benson Boone leaps over Queen guitarist Brian May at Coachella 2025.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Emma Liu poses for pictures at sunset at Coachella 2025.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\"Gustavo <\/p>\n

Gustavo Dudamel conducts the L.A. Phil at Coachella 2025.<\/p>\n

(Allen J. Schaben \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Before the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival became a world-famous event, it started as a much more…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":253962,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[112674,12837,112671,44987,3653,21495,217,112672,48,52,51,6131,47,50,49,9603,112673,592,30384,52823,72],"class_list":{"0":"post-253961","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-art-collective-poetic-kinetics","9":"tag-artist","10":"tag-arts-festival","11":"tag-beyonce","12":"tag-bill","13":"tag-coachella","14":"tag-day","15":"tag-double-weekend","16":"tag-la","17":"tag-la-headlines","18":"tag-la-news","19":"tag-lineup","20":"tag-los-angeles","21":"tag-los-angeles-headlines","22":"tag-los-angeles-news","23":"tag-machine","24":"tag-main-stage","25":"tag-people","26":"tag-radiohead","27":"tag-reunion","28":"tag-year"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253961"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253961\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/253962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=253961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=253961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}