For music lovers, Coachella is a bucket list item. And for artists, it's definitely a dream to perform on the main stage. Established in 1999, the annual music festival runs for two weeks and hosts around 300,000 attendees every year, according to the Korea Herald. Fun fact: because it's held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California (specifically, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert), it's full name is actually the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
So of course it's always a *big deal* when your favorite artist gets included in the lineup. If you're a K-pop fan, then tune in to Coachella 2024 because ATEEZ, LE SSERAFIM, and The Rose will be bringing their music to the desert this April.
READ: All The K-Pop Artists Who've Performed At Coachella
Coachella 2011 - EE
ICYDK, South Korean electronica duo EE were the first Korean music act to take part in the Coachella music festival, and were included in the Day 2 lineup on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The the "total performance group" is comprised of married couple Lee Hyun Joon (Big E) and Lee Yun Joung (Little E).
Coachella 2016 - Epik High
Tablo, Mithra Jin, and DJ Tukutz brought their hip-hop act to the desert in 2016—specifically, Day 3 of the first weekend at "1:20 p.m. on Sunday in the Sahara tent." Epik High became the first K-pop group to perform at Coachella, and arranged a set of songs they thought would appeal to the crowd, which included hits like "Born Hater" and "Kill This Love."
Coachella 2019 - BLACKPINK, HYUKOH, Jambinai
BLACKPINK became the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella. The crowd sung along to their songs (they performed 13 songs in a set lasting just over 50 minutes), and the girls happily shared their most unforgettable moments on social media (remember how Lisa's *unmovable bangs* went viral?). If you got a ticket for Fridays (April 12 and 19), you were a lucky BLINK (BLACKPINK's fandom)!
Indie band HYUKOH and rock band Jambinai were also invited to Coachella that same year. HYUKOH were booked on Sundays (April 14 and 21), while Jambinai completed the festival K-lineup by performing on Saturdays (April 13 and 20).
Coachella 2020 - BIGBANG, Epik High
As a result of the pandemic, Coachella 2020 was cancelled. Sadly, Epik High were scheduled to make a triumphant return to the desert music fest on April 12 and 19.
Second-generation K-pop boy group BIGBANG was also included in the Coachella 2020 lineup, and VIPs (BIGBANG's fandom) were left brokenhearted over another missed opportunity. Following the completion of the members’ military service, they were set to take the stage on April 10 and 17.
Coachella 2022 - 2NE1, Epik High, BIBI, Jackson Wang, aespa
The first weekend of Coachella 2022 low-key became a K-pop festival. Second-generation girl group 2NE1 performed at Coachella as a complete quartet for the first time in six years, fulfilling their Blackjacks' (2NE1's fandom) long-awaited dream. Leader CL took to the stage for her solo performance before her fellow members Dara, Bom, and Minzy made a 2NE1 comeback alongside her. This was the first full group reunion since the 2015 MAMAs!
Six years after their Coachella debut, Epik High became the first Korean group to be invited back. They also performed on weekend 2!
Thanks to music company 88rising, several big names in the music scene got a chance to take the stage. Singer-songwriter BIBI wowed the crowd with her onstage charisma. Iconic rapper Yoon Mirae took the stage alongside BIBI to perform the hit "The Weekend!" Attendees were also blown away by Jackson Wang's set. The GOT7 member made history as the first Chinese musician to perform at the main Coachella stage!
Fourth-generation K-pop girl group aespa made their US live performance debut on April 23 (second weekend), and performed five songs: "aenergy," "Black Mamba," "Savage," and "Next Level." They also surprised fans during their live-streamed set by debuting a brand new unreleased track called "Life’s Too Short."
Coachella 2023 - BLACKPINK, Jackson Wang, DPR LIVE + DPR IAN, Loren
In a historic moment, BLACKPINK became the first K-pop group to headline the legendary music festival. Performing on both weekends (April 15 and April 22), each member had their solo moment in the spotlight. Jennie kicked things off with "You And Me," followed by Jisoo's performance of her recently released single "Flower." Then confetti flew over the crowd as Rosé sang "On the Ground," while Lisa showed off her rap skills via the fan-favorite "Money."
The first Chinese artist to perform at Coachella for two consecutive years, Jackson Wang had several iconic moments during his music festival comeback. He performed a remix of XG's "Left and Right" together with Ciara, and stunned the audience with a sensual dance break during his "Magic Man" stage.
Rapper DPR LIVE and singer DPR IAN, part of the 9-member Korean music collective Dream Perfect Regime, performed in front of a hyped crowd on Sunday, April 16. Korean alt-rock artist Loren also graced the music festival stage on Day 3.
Coachella 2024 - ATEEZ, LE SSERAFIM, and The Rose
According to the Coachella 2024 lineup, ATEEZ will perform on April 12 and 19, headlined by Lana Del Rey. Meanwhile, LE SSERAFIM are set to perform on April 13 and 20, joining Tyler, The Creator in the lineup. Korean indie rock band The Rose will be performing on April 14 and 21, with Doja Cat commanding the main stage.
FYI, The Rose will be delivering an electrifying performance for their Blackroses on Friday, January 26 at the Araneta Coliseum—yes, they're one of several Korean artists coming to the Philippines in 2024!
Presale for Coachella 2024 tickets starts Friday, January 19 at 11AM PT (3AM on Saturday, January 20 in Philippine time). Register for your passes now via the Coachella website.
Which of the Coachella lineups is your dream set list?
Note: 2022/2023 purchasers and/or attendees get early access starting Thursday, January 18 at 2PM PT (6AM on Friday, January 19 in Philippine time). For your best chance at passes, look to Weekend 2.