The scent of sunscreen and adolescent freedom wafts through the air as the annual pilgrimage to the polo grounds commences once more. Coachella, that bastion of flower crowns, crochet tops, and youthful abandon nestled in the dusty palms of Indio, beckons us back to the days when music was more than just another streaming playlist.
This year’s lineup summons the nostalgia of youth with headliners and top-billed artists who transport us back to the memorable songs of our wonder years. Lana Del Rey, the queen of brooding melancholy and modern Americana, leads the charge with her sad-girl vibes, inviting us to ponder lost loves and roads not taken. Tyler the Creator, irreverent agent provocateur of hip hop, reminds us of when rap was more than just another TikTok dance craze. And Doja Cat with her quirky visuals and genre-bending beats takes us on a journey to the tuneful landscapes of yesterday and tomorrow.
Yet the act that truly sends shockwaves through the 2024 lineup poster is none other than No Doubt. Beloved ska-punk icons fronted by the inimitable Gwen Stefani, No Doubt reunited briefly in 2015 for a handful of festival appearances but have largely kept a low profile since. Their addition speaks to the reemergence of 90s nostalgia and gives hope that other seminal bands of decades past may grace the polo grounds in the future.
Beyond the headliners, the lineup reads like a who’s who of favorite acts from the last 20 years. Blur, those Britpop pioneers who made art-rock wearable even for the most mainstream of music fans. J Balvin, the self-proclaimed “Prince of Reggaeton” with enough hip shaking beats and silky Spanish flow to keep the cardio going well into the night. We have Justice bringing the electro heat, Gesaffelstein and his dark pulsating waveforms, Peggy Gou’s groovy tech-house. All guaranteed to get your group chat blowing up with the kind of FOMO that says maybe 30 is still young enough for flower crowns after all.
Even for the younger generations, there are plenty of fresh faces ready to make their marks among the giants of decades past. Rising Mexicana sensation Peso Pluma looks primed to hypnotize with her electropop fusion. Ice Spice will surely deliver equal parts sass and spice. Grimes returns to the fold with her cerebral avant pop, made slightly more accessible now that she and Elon are no longer an item. We have the orchestral melancholy of Khruangbin, perfect for swaying in the sunset while contemplating the connections we’ve made. Holographic pop idol Hatsune Miku will blur the lines between human and AI. And even Gwen Stefani’s fashion icon status gets a next-gen boost with budding “it” girl Suki Waterhouse bringing her star power to the dusty fields.
When the lineup poster starts to feel overwhelming, just remember the magic that only Coachella can bring: the simultaneous newness and nostalgia, freedom and community. As our old favorite songs play out over the polo grounds, we are reminded that the status quo will always be challenged. And what better place to celebrate the icons of yesterday, today and tomorrow than right here together for a few short days in the desert. Presale tickets go on sale January 17th at 11AM. Will I see you there?
