With Coachella 2025 Weekend One fast approaching, festival-goers will have to make some tough calls in determining who to fit into their schedules. While headliners Lady Gaga, Green Day, Travis Scott, and Post Malone are obvious must-sees, the trickier part of Coachella, or any major festival for that matter, is figuring out the best route based on what you're looking for. Fortunately, Coachella 2015 has a lot to offer no matter what you're into and is, as always, an amazing way to see your favorite artists live and discover new ones.
It's been quite a while since my first Coachella experience on Weekend Two in 2014. I was able to see some of its most historic moments, such as MGMT coming out to perform "Pursuit of Happiness" during Kid Cudi's set and Arcade Fire marching into the crowd to close out the festival after a life-changing Disclosure set at the Outdoor Theatre. Not all of my navigation decisions worked out in retrospect (forgoing Muse to see Skrillex for a second time still haunts me to this day). Fortunately, 2025 delivers a new year, a new Coachella, and a new slate of incredible artists.
20 Julie
Friday - Sonora at 5:00
If '90s grunge and 2010s shoegaze had a baby, her name would be Julie. Fresh off their 2024 debut album my anti-aircraft friend, Julie packs a dreary yet upbeat punk-metal punch with indie/alternative lyrics on the level of Wallows or Dayglow. This unique clash of rock subgenres makes them one of the bands to check out at Coachella 2025 (but bring earplugs, it will be loud).
19 Three 6 Mafia
Friday - Sahara at 5:15
Former iPod nano owners know all about Three 6 Mafia, a legendary Memphis-based hip-hop group made up of DJ Paul and Juicy J. Although original member Lord Infamous died in 2013, forcing a 6-year hiatus, the group reunited in 2019 but hasn't released a new album since 2008. They'll be sure to play the same classics, "Poppin' My Collar", "Stay Fly", and "Sippin' On Some Syrup," that you "got crunk" to at your high school dances.
18 The Marías
Friday - Outdoor Theatre at 8:20
The Marías are a hypnotic L.A. indie band with an arsenal of dreamy, tropical songs sung in both English and Spanish, such as "No One Noticed" and "Back to Me". Their recent collaboration with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, "Ojos Tristes", has sparked rumors of their surprise guest appearances. If you're looking for something more melancholic and chill on Friday night, The Marías are a great option.
17 LISA
Friday - Sahara at 7:45
Fresh off co-starring in The White Lotus season 3 finale, LISA is a mega-pop star from Thailand, in case you didn't know about her (Mike White didn't before casting her). Part of BLACKPINK, who made their Coachella debut in 2023, LISA can do it all as a rapper, singer, and dancer. Her BLACKPINK bandmate Jennie also takes the Outdoor Theatre stage on Sunday.
16 Miike Snow
Friday - Mojave at 8:35
Best known for their 2015 hit song "Genghis Khan", Miike Snow is an electro-indie band from Sweden despite the singular name. The group hasn't released an album since 2016 and hasn't toured much in the United States since. With other popular tracks like "Animal" and "Black & Blue" that fit right into the nostalgic early 2010s indie era, Miike Snow could be the best sleeper set on Friday.
15 The Prodigy
Friday - Mojave at 10:05
Speaking of not touring in the U.S. for a while, the hard-hitting electronic English band The Prodigy will be returning to the Indio desert for the first time since 2005. It's been years since The Prodigy even performed in the States, so expect an epic show – but be wary of mosh pits.
14 Parcels
Friday - Outdoor Theatre at 10:10
If moshing isn't really your thing, a much more laid-back dance party will be happening at Parcels, who close out the Outdoor Theatre on Friday. The band is comprised of a bunch of high school buddies from Australia who are heavily inspired by the groovy electronic sound of the '70s. If you're going to Coachella 2025 with your parents or watching with them at home, introduce them to their new favorite band at 10:10 on Friday night.
13 Mustard
Friday - Sahara at 11:50
Mustard, fresh off his appearance during Kendrick Lamar's 2025 Super Bowl performance, will almost certainly have the most guest appearances on Friday and maybe the entire weekend. Kendrick's tour with SZA starts next Saturday (4/19) in Minnesota, so if he were to come out during Mustard's set, it would likely be a weekend one exclusive. Travis Scott, who headlines on Saturday, has a great chance to make a surprise appearance.
12 Weezer
Saturday - Mojave at 3:10
Weezer is one of the two late additions in the wake of Anitta and FKA twigs bowing out of their Coachella set times (Ed Sheeran will perform on weekend two only). With such little notice, it's safe to say that alternative rock veterans Weezer will be playing their lengthy list of hits, which is always a great time. Considering that their performance is so early on Saturday, Weezer could be a great starting point for most people (unless EDM is more your thing – then go see Salute at Sahara).
11 Glass Beams
Saturday - Gobi at 4:05
Fans of Khruangbin, who performed at Coachella last year, absolutely must check out Glass Beams as they are sonically cut from the same cloth. Their 2021 song "Mirage," off their four-track EP of the same name, went viral on social media. The Australian group added another EP, Mahal, to their discography last year. Since they have so few songs released, expect them to play a jazzy trance-like hybrid of both EPs – and maybe some new stuff.