April 10, 2026 |
Festival season is back – and it’s not easing in, it’s exploding into life with Coachella. The Californian desert spectacle – equal parts music pilgrimage, fashion week and social media olympics – returns across April 10-12 and 17-19, 2026, setting the tone for the months ahead. This year’s headliners, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G, promise scale, spectacle and singalongs in equal measure, but Coachella has never just been about the top line. From cult favourites to internet-born stars and indie legends stepping back into the spotlight, the real magic is in the undercard. Honourable mentions include Addison Rae, Moby, Dijon, The Strokes, Sombr, rising American rock band Geese, Young Thug, Major Lazer and many more. The 2026 tickets are now sold out, but if you can’t make it out to LA, the entire festival will be livestreamed on the Coachella official YouTube channel (tune in here). So with clashes inevitable and discoveries guaranteed, here’s where to be – and when (timings in PDT). Emily Phillips
Slayyyter
An early start on Friday doesn’t mean taking it easy – especially when Slayyyter hits the Mojave Stage at 3pm (8pm BST). Fresh off Wor$t Girl In America – billed as her latest and possibly final album – she’s leaning all the way into chaos, confidence and full-throttle pop excess. Hyperpop roots meet sharp-edged reinvention, with hooks built to stick and an attitude that refuses to dial down. It’s bold, bratty and made for a packed-out tent. Consider this the start of a Slayyyter summer. EP
The XX
At 7pm (12am BST) on Friday, The xx step onto the Coachella Stage for a rare and long-awaited return. If you know, you know. Emerging in the late 2000s with their stripped-back, after-dark sound, they carved out a space entirely their own. This marks their first festival set in over eight years – a comeback that feels understated but significant. Expect minimalism on a massive scale: sparse guitars, hushed vocals and a crowd hanging onto every note as the sun dips behind the desert. EP
Blood Orange
Everyone wants a piece of Blood Orange, AKA Dev Hynes. Whether that be as the curator of south London’s Rally Festival in August, or scoring films produced by offbeat auteurs A24, the English native, now based in NYC, being a fan of Blood Orange has somewhat morphed into a recognised badge announcing top-end taste. And for good reason. The musician’s latest album Essex Honey has become a favourite of critics and punters alike. At his Coachella set, taking place on Friday at 11:55pm (4:55am BST), expect silky vocals from a multi-instrumentalist that is worth every drop of hype. Bella Koopman
Freak Slug
Catch Freak Slug as she slips onto the Sonora Stage at 3:10pm (8:10 BST) on Saturday, the kind of early set that quietly becomes a highlight. Under that “neon blue light”, the Manchester-London artist leans into lo-fi textures and hazy nostalgia, pulling from ‘90s shoegaze and rough-edged ‘60s influences. Her sound feels suspended somewhere between memory and dream – soft, melancholic and deeply immersive. It’s not built for big moments, but that’s exactly why it lands. Start your day here and let it unfold slowly. EP
¥øu$uk€ ¥uk1mat$u
In January 2025, ¥øu$uk€ ¥uk1mat$u stepped up to a pair of decks encircled by ravers from across Tokyo. The set, which formed part of Boiler Room’s World Tour series, currently has 18.2 million YouTube views and counting. Using mind-melting mixing skills that made the leap from a hardcore techno remix of Dominican hit Kulikitaka to Romy’s emotive and atmospheric Strong seem like a baby step, it was a set that cemented ¥øu$uk€ ¥uk1mat$u as one of the best to do it. Fans should prepare to surrender completely to the undoubted rollercoaster of his Coachella set, taking place at 6:15pm (11:15 BST) on Saturday at the Sahara stage, but know that they’ll be better off for it. BK
PinkPantheress
By 8:55pm (1:55am BST) on Saturday, the Mojave Stage belongs to PinkPantheress – and honestly, it might feel a bit illegal. Blending UK garage, drum and bass and diaristic lyricism, she’s built a world of fleeting, addictive tracks that hit fast and linger longer than they should. What started online has become something far bigger, and live, those short bursts turn into a rush of back-to-back highs. It’s euphoric, emotional and over too soon if you’re not paying attention. EP
Wet Leg
By 4:45pm (9:45pm BST) on Sunday, the Coachella Stage is primed for Wet Leg to take over – and they won’t waste the moment. Among a wave of UK talent crossing over this year, the Isle of Wight duo stand out for their offbeat charm, deadpan delivery and wiry, infectious riffs. What began as a leftfield indie project has snowballed into something far bigger, and this slot feels like a statement. Expect shout-along hooks, sharp humour and a crowd fully locked in before sunset even hits. EP
Little Simz
This UK national treasure is making her way stateside for the 4:25pm (9:25pm BST) Sunday slot at the Mojave stage. A seasoned performer, Little Simz has multiple world tours and a Glastonbury performance under her belt, bringing her shrewd lyricism and commanding melodies to adoring crowds across the globe. Coachella is set to be no different. Expect grit and oogles of star power from a musician with something to say. BK
Oklou
The only way is up for Oklou. Since the release of her debut album Choke Enough in February 2025, the French singer has become a fan favourite of cool girls worldwide. Charming critics with intricately layered, expansive electronic tracks that remain satisfyingly catchy, Oklou has shot around Australia, New Zealand and North American in a mere few months, managing to also squeeze in a cover shoot here and a NPR Tiny Desk performance there. Kicking off a series of festival performances that includes Barcelona’s Primavera and London’s All Points East, Coachella is a natural stop along her way to seamlessly straddling the stardom that comes with being beloved by both the underground and the mainstream. You can catch her on Sunday at 5:15pm (10:15pm BST) at the Gobi stage. BK
FKA Twigs
10 Magazine Issue 76 cover star FKA twigs is well on her way to bonafide superstardom. With a Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album in her back pocket, the artist’s creative direction since the critically acclaimed LP’s release has been turning heads of fans and those who can’t help but look alike. Sharp, expressive choreography has been her weapon of choice thus far, and her Coachella set, taking place at 8:45pm (1:45am BST) on Sunday at Mojave, acting as the cherry on top of a breakthrough year for the artist. Prepare to see a spellbinding show executed by performers who have talent pulsing through their veins. BK
Top image: photography courtesy of @slayyyter.
