After months of speculation, Coachella's lineup for 2023 is finally here, with Frank Ocean, Blackpink, and Bad Bunny all slated to headline the annual desert festival. Coachella, which takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, has been the premiere West Coast music festival scene since its inaugural event in 1999. After taking two years off due to the spread of COVID, the fest returned last year without skipping a beat.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, as it is officially known, was founded by L.A. resident and local record store owner Paul Tollett as a way to bring top-tier music acts to the desert region of Southern California. In the past, Coachella has featured a diverse range of artists, from rock and indie bands to electronic dance music DJs and hip-hop acts. The festival has become known for an eclectic lineup and its commitment to showcasing up-and-coming artists alongside established headliners.
Frank Ocean is no stranger to Coachella, having performed at the festival in 2012 and 2017. Blackpink, a South Korean girl group, made their Coachella debut in 2019 and are returning to the festival in 2023. The group has gained a massive global following with their highly choreographed performances and worldwide K-Pop hits. Pop music has played an increasingly central role at Coachella, which was once known more for rock and electronic acts. They will be the first K-Pop act to headline, as well as the first act from Asia.
Bad Bunny makes history in 2023 as the first Latin artist to headline Coachella. This is a milestone for the Latin music community, and a testament to Bad Bunny's rising fame and success. The Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and rapper previously performed at Coachella in 2018 and 2019, and has built a dedicated fan base with his unique blend of reggaeton, trap, and Latin pop. His headlining set here will cap a wild three year run of being perhaps the leading artist in the music industry.
Other notable names on the poster include Rosalia, Kali Uchis, Bjork, Gorillaz, Yung Lean, and Becky G. Festival devotees' instant reaction to the lineup was overwhelmingly positive, noting the strong undercard along with the groundbreaking headliner choices.
In addition to the music, Coachella is also known for its elaborate stage setups, art installations, and (central to our interests at L.A. TACO) top-notch festival food. The food lineup has yet to be announced but is usually full of local favorites like Guerrilla Tacos, Playa Provisions, and Kogi BBQ.
There are a few Southern Californian artists taking to the stage, as well. Not only is headliner Frank Ocean a son of Long Beach, but the first night's ceremony will begin again with a performance by Desert Cohuila Bird Singers, comprised of members of local indigenous communities, plus L.A. pop punk quartet the Linda Lindas are playing sets on both Saturdays, and locally-raised DJ Juliet Mendoza will have early sets on both Fridays, among others.
Coachella takes place over two weekends in April; this year it's April 14-16 and April 21-23. The Empire Polo Club, where the festival takes place, is located about two hours east of Los Angeles (without traffic) and has played host to Coachella since its inception.
While Coachella has become a destination event, with fans traveling from all over the world to attend, the core audience is still rooted here in Southern California.
