Couldn’t get to Coachella in person? Here are the artists to listen to

Grab your cowboy boots, denim shorts and fringed jackets: it’s Coachella time. Taking place every April in the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, most of us associate Coachella more with celeb selfies against desert backdrops than with live music.

But don’t sleep on this year’s line-up: featuring headline sets from Lana Del Rey, Tyler, the Creator and Doja Cat, throwback performances from No Doubt and Sublime, plus over 100 emerging artists spread across six stages, Coachella 2024 provides the perfect inspiration to refresh your Spotify playlists. From Punjabi hip-hop to K-pop, Afro-cuban beats to soulful vocals, there’s something to suit every mood. Put on your flower crown, cross your fingers for some sun and blast these artists to get festival season started in style. 

Chappell Roan

This rising star has exploded onto the queer-pop scene with singles like “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” and “Good Luck, Babe”, and came to the Coachella stage fresh from a supporting slot on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts world tour. The Guardian recently described Chappell Roan’s debut album, “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”, as “one of the most over-the-top, gloriously tasteless debuts in recent memory”, referencing the likes of Patsy Cline, 80s Madonna and RuPaul. If that doesn’t intrigue you, best to hit skip now — because Roan isn’t one to compromise. 

Listen to: Red Wine Supernova

Young Miko

Young Miko is at the forefront of a new generation of Latin trap stars. Starting out as a tattoo artist with a dedicated Instagram following, the Puerto Rican rapper/singer-songwriter has gained a strong following over the past three years, racking up more than 31 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Miko has also grown her audience by collaborating with other Latino artists, including Colombian singer Feid — their track “Classy 101” became an instant reggaeton hit and went viral on TikTok. 

Listen to: CLASSY 101

Brittany Howard

If you only know Brittany Howard as the frontwoman for the Alabama Shakes, you’re missing out. Following the success of her debut solo record, Howard spent the pandemic recording her second solo album, “What Now”, which was released in February to widespread critical acclaim. Her seemingly limitless vocal range works across genres, from electronica to funk, jazz to rock, for a sound that’s audacious and unmissable. 

Listen to: What Now

Carin León

This Latin Grammy-winning singer has become known for his cowboy hat (always worn at a jaunty angle) as much as for his soaring vocals. Hailing from Sonora, León specialises in regional Mexicano music with a dash of American country (he recently duetted with Nashville singer Kane Brown). He won over the crowds at Coachella 2024 with his infectious energy and vast live band, consisting of more than 20 musicians. This year is set to be a gamechanger for León: if you’ve never listened to his music, now’s the time to get on board. 

Listen to: Que Vuelvas

Reneé Rapp

From playing Regina George in the Mean Girls musical movie to having Cara Delevingne direct one of the music videos from her debut album “Snow Angel”, 2023 was the year Reneé Rapp was catapulted to mega-fame. Even her Coachella set made headlines after she brought out Kesha to perform throwback hit “Tik Tok”. Rapp’s music is worth a listen for her powerful voice and catchy hooks but even more so for her straight-talking lyrics, which cover topics like heartbreak and self-sabotage. 

Listen to: Pretty Girls

AP Dhillon

2024 is AP Dhillon’s Coachella debut, making the Indo-Canadian rapper and singer only the second Punjabi act to play the festival (he follows Diljit Dosanjh’s 2023 set). Not only that but less than four years since his first single, Dhillon is currently the highest streaming Punjabi artist in the world, blending genres like trap, pop and rock with modern and traditional Punjabi sounds. And if that wasn’t enough to get you interested, he’s just released a single with Stormzy — the ultimate stamp of approval. 

Listen to: With You

Le Sserafim

Time to jump aboard the K-pop train! Following Blackpink’s headlining slot at Coachella last year, Le Sserafim picked up the girl group baton and repped South Korea on the 2024 line-up (kitted out in leather outfits designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, no less). From earworm “Easy” to Afro-Latin track “Antifragile”, the experimental group is full of surprises, even working with music legends like Nile Rodgers. 

Listen to: UNFORGIVEN (feat. Nile Rodgers)

Cimafunk

In another stand-out Coachella moment this year, Grammy-nominated performer Cimafunk became the first Cuban-born artist to play the festival. It was about time for the rising artist, who has already built a reputation as a magnetic performer in the vein of James Brown, packing out venues across the US and Europe. Expect funk, Afrobeat and hip hop blended over traditional, infectious rhythms. Don’t resist the urge to dance. 

Listen to: Parar el Tiempo

Jon Batiste

If you’ve never experienced the joyful sound of five-time Grammy Award winner Jon Batiste, you’re in for a treat. The multi-talented songwriter, composer, activist and TV personality has built a reputation as one of the world’s most prolific and accomplished musicians. From working as bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to winning an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the Pixar film SOUL, Batiste has become a defining artist of his generation. His solo music is rich and uplifting, layering soul, jazz, pop and R’n’B. Perfect for a leisurely Sunday afternoon. 

Listen to: FREEDOM

Raye

One of the brightest stars in music today, Brit Raye has drawn comparisons to the likes of Adele and Amy Winehouse for her powerful, emotive vocals — but her sound is all her own. She has written for some of the industry’s biggest names (including a track on Beyoncé’s new album, COWBOY CARTER), won a historic six 2024 BRIT awards and has hit five billion global Spotify streams. Raye’s debut album, “My 21st Century Blues”, includes the smash hit Escapism, which became the largest selling single by a female British artist in 2023. Not bad for an artist who left her record label in 2021 when they refused to let her release any music.

Listen to: Ice Cream Man