Coachella Sets the Tone for 2019 with Stacked Lineup

The biggest festival of the year returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA for two stacked weekends. Goldenvoice unveiled the Coachella lineup last night which features headliners Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, and Ariana Grande for both weekends, set for April 12 – 14th and April 19th – 21st. Projecting the slated genres that appeal to pop, R&B, and indie lovers, the acts listed are a refreshing beam of light versus previous years.

It was also announced earlier that day that Kanye would no longer be performing over stage design, as stated by TMZ: “Multiple sources tell us, the sticking point was the stage. Kanye made it clear he wouldn’t perform on a traditional 60×40 foot stage because it was ‘artistically limiting.’ Goldenvoice, which produces the festival, would not allow the stage to be altered or removed for Ye’s performance. In the end, we’re told Kanye passed.”

Despite this notion for Ye fans, this does not altar the lineup’s flow. It’s been a while since GV showcased a meaningful and consistent lineup; not just relying on huge names such as Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar or Radiohead to carry the festival.

Smaller acts that have been supported by the festival giants, such as The Red Pears, Steady Holiday,and Hurray for the Riff Raff are set to perform, as well as psychedelic-cumbia, Coachella natives, Ocho Ojos. On the same fiber of Tame Impala, garage-pych trio Las Robertas will also be blessing the stage Friday. Dublin artist Dermot Kennedy who saw quite a successful last two years takes the stage Sunday, who is definitely a must see, alongside Idris Elba, Christine and the Queens, Calypso Rose, serpentwithfeet, and S. Korean avant-garde rockers Jambinai 잠비나이.

Electronic and production acts are balanced each weekend consisting of DJ Snake, FKJ, Diplo, and of course Kaytranda, as Anderson .Paak + The Free Nationals, Solange, and Kid Cudi blur the lines and merge the likes and needs of the crowd.

It may have been last year’s failed FYF festival, or GV’s new outlet of Latin and older acts implemented through Tropicalia and Arroyo Seco, but Goldenvoice’s revised curation this year sets the tone early on for each festival and is suddenly worth attending.

Coachella passes will be on sale Friday, January 4th 2019 at 11 a.m. PT.