ET breaks down all the bands and artists you should check out at this year's music festival, in addition to the headliners!
Coachella 2018 is finally here!
Music lovers will be swarming to Indio, California, over the next two weekends to catch Beyoncé, The Weeknd and Eminem's highly anticipated headlining sets. And while their shows will surely be amazing, there's plenty of other bands and artists on the list that are also worth checking out.
So, whether you're heading to the desert to watch the star-studded lineup in person, or plan to live-stream the music festival at home, ET's got you covered. Here are 13 acts (aside from the biggest names) that we think you should rock out to and why!
CARDI B / MIGOS
Who they are: Though these two acts are performing separately, we have a good feeling we'll get a Coachella crossover! Cardi B (real name: Belcalis Almanzar) is a rapper from the Bronx borough of New York City, who first gained attention on Instagram and Vine for her "no filter" videos, later appearing on Love & Hip Hop: New York before her rap career took off in 2017. Migos is a hip-hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia, who formed together in 2009. The group is made up of rappers Quavo, Takeoff and Offset, who is engaged to Cardi B.
Why you should see their sets: For months, fans have been speculating that Cardi B was pregnant with her and Offset's first child, and she finally confirmed it last weekend by debuting her baby bump on Saturday Night Live. Aside from getting a peek at her burgeoning belly, expect a fire show from the 25-year-old singer, as she just dropped her no-holds-barred debut album, Invasion of Privacy, earlier this month. We're expecting Migos' set to be equally lit, with fans dancing along to their most popular tracks, like "Versace," "Stir Fry" and "Bad and Boujee."
Songs to listen to: If you're just getting introduced to Cardi B, check out "Bodak Yellow" and "Bartier Cardi," two of the first tracks that made her a household name. Also be sure to listen to "Thru Your Phone" and "I Do" off her new album, as well as "MotorSport" and Drip," which she and Migos collaborated on and will most likely perform together during Coachella.
Potential surprise guests: While there's no guarantee who will show up during Cardi B and Migos' Sunday sets, we'd personally love to see Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, G-Eazy, Lil Uzi Vert, Chance the Rapper, DJ Khaled or Justin Bieber, who have all recorded tracks with the rappers over the past few years.
SZA
Who she is: One of the hottest names in R&B and hip-hop at the moment, SZA, aka Solána Imani Rowe, has been making music since 2012, but came on the scene in a major way last year, with her breakthrough album, Ctrl. She's since been unstoppable, with appearances on the Black Panther soundtrack and Cardi B's debut album.
Why you should check out her set: Apart from the singalong hits, SZA's unique, soulful voice and minimalist, chillwave-inspired beats is the perfect way to round out your Friday night in the desert.
Songs to listen to: "Love Galore," "Drew Barrymore" and "All the Stars" will make you instantly fall in love with the 27-year-old singer.
Potential special guests: SZA has collaborated with everyone from Calvin Harris to Travis Scott to Maroon 5, but two of the biggest names that could turn up on her Coachella stage are Kendrick Lamar, to perform their Black Panther single, "All the Stars," and Cardi B, for their newly released Invasion of Privacy duet, "I Do."
BLEACHERS
Who they are: After successful runs in Steel Train and Fun., in-demand pop producer Jack Antonoff launched his new solo venture, Bleachers, in 2014. If a John Hughes movie were an album, it would sound like Bleachers’ debut, Strange Desire, and it only got better from there.
Why you should check out their set: With the Coachella lineup leaning heavy on hip-hop this year, the Bleachers' set should be a perfect opportunity for a fun, poppy dance break.
Songs to listen to: If you're checking out Bleachers for the first time, definitely take a listen to "Don't Take the Money," "I Wanna Get Better" and "I Miss Those Days" before their performance kicks off.
Potential special guests: It's always a safe bet to guess Lorde might turn up at a Bleachers show (or vice versa -- the two are close friends!), but if we're going for a long shot, maybe Taylor Swift could show up to perform one of her Antonoff-produced hits? Hey, a festivalgoer can dream!
ST. VINCENT
Who she is: One of the most exciting acts in indie rock, who has been putting in work for over a decade, St. Vincent (real name: Annie Clark) spent her formative years as an artist in Sufjan Stevens' touring band, breaking out on her own in 2006. All of her five solo albums have been critically acclaimed, including her most recent, 2017’s Masseduction.
Why you should see her set: Expect an exciting set from the multi-instrumentalist, who, for fans of impressive guitar work, has also been known to shred. Her sets, not unlike her songs, tend to build in energy, from a simple beat to a full-on sonic explosion, meaning this one will likely reward those who commit for the whole concert.
Songs to listen to: "Cruel," off of 2011's Strange Mercy is a classic, but also check out her Masseduction singles, like "Los Ageless" and "New York," to get familiar with her newer work.
Potential surprise guests: Sufjan is an obvious possibility, as well as David Byrne. Not only is he on the lineup himself, but he released a collaborative album with St. Vincent back in 2012.
ALISON WONDERLAND
Who she is: Alexandra Sholler, best known by her punny stage name of Alison Wonderland, is an Australian EDM DJ, producer and singer. Before hitting the scene with her debut album, Run, in 2015, Alison played bass guitar in a few local indie rock bands, and was a classically trained cellist who performed with the Sydney Youth Opera (you can hear her cello skills on songs like "Good Enough" and "Space.")
Why you should see her set: Between her edgy style, raw vocals, insanely catchy remixes, quirky dancing and the fact that she's the highest-billed female DJ in the history of Coachella, this set is going to be rad! Plus, the 31-year-old just released her sophomore album, Awake, over the weekend, and in less than two days, it already garnered two million streams on Spotify.
Songs to listen to: If her remix of Dua Lipa's "New Rules" doesn't sell you, "Happy Place" and "Easy" will definitely send you down a magical Alison Wonderland rabbit hole.
Potential surprise guests: While she is truly entertaining enough on her own, we wouldn't be surprised if she invited one of her Awake collaborators, like BLESSUS, Trippie Redd or Buddy, to the stage.
MIGUEL
Who he is: Born Miguel Jontel Pimentel, the soulful singer and songwriter first cast his spell on the music scene with his R&B love song, "Adorn," for which he won his first GRAMMY in 2013. He most recently released his third full-length album, War & Leisure, and his vocals were featured on Disney's Coco soundtrack. He performed the film's Oscar-winning song, "Remember Me (Dúo)," at this year's Academy Awards.
Why you should see his set: Fresh off his sexy War & Leisure tour, Coachella is the perfect setting for this Los Angeles native's sultry voice and effortless cool vibes. But don't let his falsetto, hip-thrusting, baby-making music fool you -- Miguel knows how to throw a party onstage!
Songs to listen to: "Sky Walker," "Pineapple Skies" and "I Told You So" are just a few jams that will get you jiving with the 32-year-old singer.
Potential special guests: Miguel's solo records speak for themselves, but it's his features and collaborations that showcase just how versatile his voice is. He's appeared on Janelle Monae's "Primetime," Dua Lipa's "Lost in Your Light," and most recently, Kygo's "Remind Me to Forget." And with the latter also on the Coachella lineup this year, expect the two to share the stage at some point this weekend.
FIRST AID KIT
Who they are: A Swedish folk duo consisting of sisters Klara and Johanna Söderberg, who, like many modern-day breakouts, gained notoriety with a viral YouTube cover of Fleet Foxes' "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song." In the near decade since that video was released, First Aid Kid has boasted an international following and put out three studio albums, including their latest, Ruins, earlier this year.
Why you should see their set: In some ways, the Söderberg sisters evoke Simon & Garfunkel with their transfixing harmonies, lending itself to singing along, swaying about in the crowd or even hanging back and taking in the melodies while lying in the grass. First Aid Kit is a must-see for any listeners who really go for harmonization, as well as rich, layered folk instrumentation.
Songs to listen to: "My Silver Lining" is their most popular song, and also a great representation of what they do as a duo. Also consider "It’s a Shame" and "Fireworks," both off their newest album, to determine if this act is one to add to your Coachella schedule.
Potential surprise guests: This is a tough one, because the draw of Klara and Johanna is, well, Klara and Johanna! That said, Fleet Foxes will also be at the festival, the band First Aid Kit paid tribute to in the aforementioned viral cover. If they welcome them onstage, or vice versa, it would definitely be an appearance we’d be lucky to see.
MØ
Who she is: MØ is a Danish singer, songwriter and electropop producer. In 2015, she co-wrote Major Lazer and DJ Snake's massive hit, "Lean On," which, at the time, exploded to be Spotify’s most-streamed song ever (it has since been overtaken by Drake's "One Dance").
Why you should see her set: She's been compared to other electropop powerhouses, like Grimes and Twin Shadow, and has amassed a huge following, thanks in part to some amazing features and collaborations. MØ, surprised the crowd at last year's Coachella during Major Lazer's set, but this year, the 29-year-old is ready to take center stage all on her own. Plus, she has some sweet dance moves.
Songs to listen to: "When I Was Young," "Don't Leave" and "Final Song" are solid tracks that will turn you into a MØ fan in no time.
Potential special guests: Over the last three years, MØ has been the go-to pop singer for hits like "Don’t Leave" with Snakehips and "Porsche" with Charli XCX, so either artist could easily join her onstage, especially since the former is also on the Coachella bill. We also wouldn't be surprised if her frequent collaborator, Diplo, made a special appearance during her set.
GRETA VAN FLEET
Who they are: Made up of brothers Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka, with their friend, Danny Wagner, Greta Van Fleet is an American rock band that hails from Frankenmuth, Michigan. They formed the group in 2012, but they easily could have fit in with the classic rock bands of the '70s.
Why you should see them: If you need a break from all the hip-hop, R&B and electronic dance music, do yourself a favor and get familiar with these rising rock stars, whose sound is heavily influenced by the work of Led Zeppelin. (Seriously, if you close your eyes while listening to their music for the first time, you would think it was Robert Plant on vocals -- that would be Josh). Their throwback, blues-rock vibe is a refreshing set for Coachella attendees looking to just chill out for a bit on Friday, while discovering an awesome band that's inventing old-school rock.
Songs to listen to: "Highway Tune" was the quartet's debut single, and the first one they ever wrote and recorded together. It hit No. 1 on mainstream rock radio, and was even featured on the Showtime show Shameless. If you're digging that track, definitely also check out "Safari Song" and "Flower Power" from their eight-song EP, From the Fires.
Potential surprise guests: In an interview with Billboard last August, Josh said that while they still "prefer all of the old stuff," there are a few bands and artists from this era that they dig -- Fleet Foxes and Vance Joy, who are both on this year's lineup. Although Greta Van Fleet hasn't officially collaborated on any tracks with either of these acts, we'd love to see them rock out together at the festival.
KALI UCHIS
Who she is: Kali Uchis is a neo-soul, R&B singer who hails from Pereira, Colombia, and just released a severely dope debut album, Isolation.
Why you should see her set: What the 24-year-old singer brings as an artist is an ability to be simultaneously free-associative in her singing and unbelievably catchy. Plus, her songs are set to up-tempo beats that evoke a mix of a little hip-hop and indie pop. So, whether you're ready to low-key jam out or just need to chill out for a bit, she's a great artist to watch. Coachella hasn’t dropped the full set times just yet, but she seems like a perfect fit for sunset at the Outdoor Stage or a dreamy set in one of the tents.
Songs to listen to: Familiarize yourself with Kali Uchis by listening to "Tyrant," "After the Storm" and "In My Dreams" off her new album, and "Loner" for a good throwback track.
Potential surprise guests: Tyler, the Creator is all but guaranteed, as he has produced for Uchis frequently, and is featured on "After the Storm." Other likely acts include Jorja Smith, Daniel Caesar and Vince Staples. Additionally, it would be a long shot, but she did collaborate with Snoop Dogg early in her career. He’s all booked up during weekend two of the festival, but the iconic rapper would certainly be a treat for weekend one attendees.
DANIEL CAESAR
Who he is: Canadian singer-songwriter Ashton Simmonds, better known as Daniel Caesar, is one of the fresh names to know in the world of R&B. His debut EP, Praise Break, was critically acclaimed, but it was his breakthrough 2016 single, "Get You," and follow-up album, Freudian, that catapulted him onto the big stage.
Why you should check out his set: A nice, low-key lull in the hectic first day of the festival, Caesar’s swooning guitar and bluesy vocals will be perfect for a sunset set in the desert.
Songs to listen to: Do yourself a favor and press play on "Get You," "We Find Love" and "Best Part." You're welcome.
Potential special guests: It wouldn't be a surprise to see fellow Coachella performer Kali Uchis show up on Caesar's stage, thanks to their "Get You" collab. If we're taking a shot in the dark, though, maybe Chance the Rapper shows up to perform "First World Problems," the track the pair debuted on The Late Show last fall. It's Coachella, after all. Anything can happen!
TANK AND THE BANGAS
Who they are: Tank and the Bangas are a funk/soul outfit from New Orleans, founded and fronted by slam poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball, who surrounded herself with talented musicians in order to craft a sound unlike any other. The group formed in 2011, and gained widespread recognition last year after winning NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest.
Why you should check out their set: If the music doesn't get you, Ball's powerful words will. Watching the group's Tiny Desk performance will have any viewer eager to see them on a much larger stage, and their Friday set should be the perfect opportunity to get you into the Coachella groove.
Songs you need to check out: While we love them all, "Quick," "Rollercoasters" and "Oh Heart" are a few of our favorites.
Potential special guests: None. Tank and her crew will be more than enough entertainment!
For more Coachella news, keep it locked right here on ETonline, as we'll be heading to the desert this weekend to bring you all the best music moments from the highly anticipated festival! Also join us live on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT for a special Coachella version of Daily Denny. We'll be breaking down even more artists to watch, so stay tuned!
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