Coachella 2018
Festival guide
The Coachella brand might have become synonymous with hipsters and headdresses, but there's no doubt that the festival – set in the desert of Indio, California, from April 13th to 22nd – knows how to do a line-up. Whether you're part of the Beyhive, keen to check out emerging acts like Kamaiyah, or there for a dance with Nile Rodgers and co., Coachella's got it all. Beyond the headliners, take a look at our pick of some of the (many) fantastic acts playing this weekend.
Top picks
Jorja Smith
For a 20-year-old who hasn't even released her debut album yet, it's fair to say Jorja Smith is doing big things. Whether it's a co-sign from Drake, a soaring ballad with Stormzy, a glitchy UK garage number with Preditah, or a feature on Kendrick's epic Black Panther soundtrack, this British singer is taking over. With her gentle but majestic voice and growing presence, you should catch Jorja Smith now before she's selling out stadiums.
Brockhampton
Self-proclaimed as the "internet's first boyband" (they found each other via a Kanye West fan forum), hip-hop group Brockhampton have arguably been one of the best, most thrilling things to happen to rap in the past two years. The Texas-based group's mishmash of delivery styles, soaring, chaotic theatrics and general pop sheen was on display across last year's excellent Saturation album trilogy, and we imagine it's all going to transform into one hell of a live show.
Peggy Gou
Peggy Gou is one of the hottest producers going right now: the South Korea-born, Berlin-based artist is renowned for her glimmering, colorful house tunes, and for glorious live sets that invoke chants of her nickname (people call her "Peggy Shoe" and raise their footwear in the air in tribute – she's not really sure why either). With warm, future disco weapons at her disposal, occasionally topped with her beguilingly fluid vocals, this set is sure to get you dancing.
Big names
Don't miss
More from the line-up
- Writing Too Bright, I felt a mix of defiance and duty; a duty to write music that would be moving and empowering.
- It’s very hard to somehow show people that if you’re a black man sitting in front of a piano with an afro, it doesn’t mean that you’re Ray Charles or Little Richard.
- There’s no band that’s bigger than Glastonbury, and you can’t say that about any other festivals.