Since music enthusiasts and the creative community at large began gathering in Indio, California’s Coachella Valley in 1999, the festival has grown to be one of the most anticipated music events in the calendar, year over year. Over the course of two consecutive action-packed weekends, the 2026 edition boasts global superstars at the top of their game. But, beyond the draw of the most anticipated headlining acts, the festival’s lineup is stacked with a vast array of up-and-coming artists who are well worth discovering.
Women are dominating pop music right now, and it shows at Coachella. With Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G billed as top headlining acts this year, artists such as British vocalist, producer and songwriter PinkPantheress (who is fresh off being nominated at this year’s Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronic Album for 2025’s ‘Fancy That’ and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Illegal”) and dance-pop newcomer Slayyyter are rising fast and ready to take to the festival stage. Recently, in March 2026, Slayyyter dropped her latest album, ‘WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA,’ a 14-track collection that puts her playful energy on full display.
Rock music is evolving in thrilling new directions, too. New York City experimental indie band Geese is riding high after the release of their latest album, 2025’s ‘Getting Killed.’ Representing hardcore and emo’s tandem comebacks are acts like Ecca Vandal, DRAIN, Die Spitz and Fleshwater, while fans of indie rock can catch performances by NewDad, Wednesday and Blondshell, among others.
As popular tastes become increasingly international, Coachella continues to expand its offerings. From Nigerian-American Afrobeats star Davido and Spanish rock band Carolina Durante to Iceland’s Laufey, South Korea’s TAEMIN and Brazil’s Luísa Sonza, there’s a sound and style for everyone hitting that desert road trip this April. Whether you’re heading into the desert or just dreaming of it, this collection of tracks from today’s new-era breakouts — featuring Oklou, Fujii Kaze, Dijon, Freak Slug and more — belongs on your festival radar.
LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: DESERT ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW
BIA, “WE ON GO”
After coming up as a songwriter for artists like T.I. and Jennifer Hudson, rapper BIA dropped her debut album, ‘Bianca,’ in 2025.
Pinkpantheress, “Stateside” feat. Zara Larsson
British vocalist-producer PinkPantheress collaborates with Swedish pop vocalist Zara Larsson on this rework of the former’s 2025 track.
Slayyyter, “UNKNOWN LOVERZ”
Dance-pop breakthrough act Slayyyter just dropped her latest album in March 2026, ‘WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA,’ which features this track.
CMAT, “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me”
Irish pop vocalist and songwriter CMAT blends playful, confessional lyrics with catchy beats. This track features on her 2025 album, ‘EURO-COUNTRY.’
sombr, “Homewrecker”
After the success of his 2025 album ‘I Barely Know Her,’ Brooklyn-based indie pop act sombr just dropped this latest track in February 2026.
flowerovlove, “Casual Lady”
British pop singer-songwriter flowerovlove dropped her latest EP, ‘ache in my tooth,’ in 2024.
Laufey, “How I Get”
Icelandic pop vocalist and songwriter Laufey showcases her ethereal sound on her 2025 album, ‘A Matter of Time.’
Oklou, “what’s good”
French vocalist-producer Oklou leans into ambient, trip-hop and hyperpop influences. Her latest album is 2025’s ‘choke enough.’
Little Simz, “Thief”
British rapper Little Simz is making an impact stateside with her jazzy, layered sound and sharp pen. Her latest album is 2025’s ‘Lotus.’
Dijon, “Yamaha”
On his 2025 album ‘Baby!,’ LA-based Dijon blends soul, R&B and pop in a dreamy, soundscape style.
fakemink, “Blow The Speaker.”
Riding high in the UK underground rap scene, fakemink dropped his latest album, ‘The Boy Who Cried Terrified,’ in 2026.
TAEMIN, “Long Way Home”
TAEMIN is the only Korean artist playing at Coachella this year. After spending years in groups Shinee and SuperM, he’s working on releasing solo material, including this latest track from March 2026.
Davido, “Be Still There”
Nigerian-American Afrobeats figurehead Davido dropped his latest album, ‘5ive,’ in 2025, which this track features on.
Luísa Sonza, Toquniho, “Consolação”
On her 2026 album ‘Bossa Sempre Nova,’ vocalist and songwriter Luísa Sonza reinterpretes the bossa nova sound of her native Brazil.
Fujii Kaze, “Forever Young”
On his first English-language album, 2025’s ‘Prema,’ Japanese vocalist and musician Fujii Kaze leans into a sparkling blend of R&B and city pop.
Blood Orange, “Mind Loaded” feat. Caroline Polachek, Lorde, Mustafa
British multihyphenate artist Blood Orange brings a roster of collaborators to his latest full-length, 2025’s ‘Essex Honey,’ which features this track.
Blondshell, “T&A”
LA-based vocalist and musician Blondshell blends alternative pop and indie rock on her 2025 album, ‘Another Picture.’
Not For Radio, “Back To You”
The debut solo project of The Marías’ lead vocalist, María Zardoya, showcases a near-gothic take on modern pop, with ambient drama.
Geese, “Ay Pays du Cocaine”
A rising name in the indie rock scene, New York City band Geese broke through with their 2025 album, ‘Getting Killed.’
NewDad, “Everything I Wanted”
Irish indie rock group NewDad is led by vocalist Julie Dawson, who also performs solo. Their latest album is 2025’s ‘Altar.’
Carolina Durante, “Normal”
Spanish indie rock group Carolina Durante taps into a jaunty pop energy on their latest album, 2024’s ‘Elige Tu Propia Aventura.’
Glitterer, “Recollection”
Playing a deft blend of melodic post-hardcore and emo, Glitterer taps into the rock heritage of their home city, Washington, DC.
Model/Actriz, “Diva”
Hailing from Boston, experimental post-punk band Model/Actriz is gaining a reputation for their intense live performances. Their latest is their March 2026 EP, ‘Swan Songs.’
Ecca Vandal, “CRUSHING TO SELF SOOTHE”
South Africa’s Ecca Vandal is about to drop her forthcoming album, ‘LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO UNFOLLOW,’ and go on tour with Deftones.
Die Spitz, “Throw Yourself to the Sword”
An exciting new name in the heavy rock scene, Austin’s Die Spitz’s debut album, ‘Something To Consume,’ blends punk, metal and hardcore.
DRAIN, “Nights Like These”
Melodic hardcore band DRAIN released their latest album, 2025’s ‘...IS YOUR FRIEND,’ on Epitaph Records.
Fleshwater, “Jetpack”
Boston alternative rock Fleshwater mix melodic hardcore and shoegaze on their latest album, 2025’s ‘2000: In Search Of The Endless Sky.’
Gigi Perez, “At The Beach, In Every Life”
Indie pop vocalist and guitarist Gigi Perez crafts catchy alternative rock tracks. This is the title track of her latest album, released in July 2025.
Freak Slug, “Miss June”
British vocalist and musician Freak Slug makes scuzzy indie rock with a pop edge. Her latest release is November 2025’s ‘Loose Tooth And A Short Skirt.’
Wednesday, “Elderberry Wine”
The North Carolina alternative rock band Wednesday includes vocalist and guitarist MJ Lenderman, known for his solo work.
LISTEN TO THE FESTIVAL RADAR: DESERT ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST ON SOUNDCLOUD NOW