Coachella 2019: Ten Must-See Artists
The first huge festival announcement of 2019 has arrived and Coachella has one of its deepest line-ups ever. As the font grows smaller, the excitement grows bigger. You can debate the choice of Ariana Grande as a headliner for a festival that once strived to put art above popularity but that bird flew the coop years ago. Idealism doesn’t sell tickets in 2019. To their credit, Coachella has found room on it’s stages for some emerging artists that deserve larger audiences. Here are ten must see performers in April.
10. Cola Boyy
The first artist announced still has less than 2,000 followers on Facebook. That will change come April. Delivering a multi-cultural mix of music that makes disco feel fresh again, Cola Boyy might turn out to be the breakout star of this year’s festival.
9. BLACKPINK
OK, cheating a little here as BLACKPINK are in the larger font but what a great addition. The K-Pop revolution has reached America (finally) with irresistible hooks and mind-blowing aesthetics. Ariana Grande will be challenged to top what promises to be one of the festival’s most anticipated sets.
8. Kero Kero Bonito
The London trio is one of the most exciting bands, both musically and visually, in this year’s line-up. Their sound seems perfectly suited to a warm sunset in the desert.
7. The Interrupters
California ska-punk suits any year and The Interrupters have been quietly evolving into one of the genre’s strongest bands. Produced by Rancid’s Tim Armstrong, the band tilts a little more towards ska than punk which makes it all the more fun when jumping around a massive field with your friends.
6. Idris Elba
Until yesterday, I didn’t know the coolest man in the universe had crazy skills as a DJ when not at his day job. Having already manned the turntables at Glastonbury and in Ibiza, Coachella will be just another enjoyable night for those lucky enough to be within Elba’s orbit.
5. Christine and the Queens
Last year’s album, Chris, was nothing short of magnificent. The beautiful electronic pop would stand tall on its own but it is the artistic vision of Christine and the Queens that takes it to a level reminiscent of David Bowie and Kate Bush. It will be exciting to see the show she brings to the desert and if audiences are ready to pay attention.
4. Soccer Mommy
Soccer Mommy would have sounded at home at the first Coachella but Sophie Allison will stand out more at this year’s festival. Cutting through the bass drops and backing tracks, Soccer Mommy will fill the void for anyone lamenting Courtney Barnett being inexplicably missing from this year’s festival. Vulnerable but tough, Soccer Mommy is at the forefront of rock-n-roll’s next wave.
3. Kacey Musgraves
Quite capable of staying in Indio, CA an extra week and headlining Stagecoach, Musgraves actually appears a better fit on the Coachella poster. Her songwriting has a lot more in common with Janelle Monae than Luke Bryan. Having found a sweet place between genres, Musgraves has three albums of material with which to enrapture the masses. She would have been a bold headline choice for Coachella that would have paid off huge. Maybe next year.
2. Let’s Eat Grandma
The second artist on this list to have a touch of Kate Bush in their DNA. That is an excellent sign for the future of popular music. Crossing boundaries that never existed in their world, the band creates a labyrinth of interesting sounds that swallow you whole. They are more than ready to deliver a memorable set.
1. Lizzo
Dropping her latest video today (see below), Lizzo will soon be able to drop the “indie” from indie sensation and become the star she was destined to be. Having wowed audiences supporting HAIM, Lizzo is about to explode and her slot at Coachella might be three fonts larger if they announced it in a few months. Having worked with everyone from Prince to Har Mar Superstar, Lizzo delivers sassy, positive R&B that never loses focus on delivering great songs. Social media hits can never replace a killer song and Lizzo has more than a few ready to release on Coachella. Get ready!