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Coachella
Coachella (officially the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival) is the largest music and arts festival in North America, held annually across two weekends every April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Founded in 1999 by Paul Tollett and organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents, the festival draws over 250,000 attendees per year and reaches tens of millions globally through its exclusive YouTube livestream partnership.
Coachella launched as a boutique alternative to stadium rock and has grown into a cultural institution that defines the year in music. Its lineups span genres -- rock, electronic, hip-hop, R&B, pop, Latin, and K-pop -- with a track record of landmark headlining sets: Beyonce in 2018, BLACKPINK in 2023, and the ongoing expansion of K-entertainment acts on the main stage. The festival operates two identical weekends, with Weekend 1 (April 10-12) and Weekend 2 (April 17-19) in 2026.
Coachella is also a fashion and brand moment, with major labels and designers treating it as a platform for cultural campaigns. Goldenvoice curates not just music but immersive art installations, making the desert grounds a destination as much as the performances themselves.
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Fans Also Ask
When and where is Coachella 2026?
Coachella 2026 takes place across two weekends at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California: Weekend 1 is April 10-12 and Weekend 2 is April 17-19. Passes for 2026 are sold out. The festival is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents.
Who has headlined Coachella?
Coachella headliners include some of the biggest names in music across all genres. Landmark performances include Beyonce (2018), Ariana Grande (2019), BLACKPINK (2023), Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator, and Doja Cat. The festival is known for breakthrough moments that define cultural conversations in music.
Has a K-pop artist performed at Coachella?
Yes. BLACKPINK headlined Coachella in 2023, becoming the first K-pop act to headline the festival. In 2026, Taemin of SHINee is confirmed to perform at both weekends, making him the first Korean male solo artist in Coachella's history.
What is the capacity of Coachella?
Coachella's Empire Polo Club venue holds approximately 125,000 attendees per day. The festival runs across two consecutive three-day weekends in April, drawing a total estimated attendance of 245,000 people across both weekends in 2025.
How did Coachella start?
Coachella traces its roots to a 1993 Pearl Jam concert at the Empire Polo Club, held when the band boycotted Ticketmaster-controlled venues. The site's viability proven, co-founders Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen launched the inaugural Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in October 1999.
