Coachella is one of the biggest music festivals in the world, and the artist lineup always gets people talking about why specific artists were chosen and how they will perform. If I could create my own dream Coachella lineup, I would pick artists I already listen to who are well-known, as well as performers who would be really fun to experience for a general audience. Some of my picks listed below are current favorites, nostalgic choices, and others that have a unique style that would make the festival exciting.
Justin bieber
After watching some clips of Justin Bieber’s performance, which people are now calling Bieberchella, I have changed who I’d want to see in my dream Coachella lineup. I don’t listen to too much of Justin Bieber’s music except for a few songs, but it felt like this show was a defining moment in his career. Coachella was the perfect place for him to present his story and personality in a genuine way. I wouldn’t want to change him and Sabrina Carpenter as the headliners for each weekend. I listen to Sabrina Carpenter’s music almost every day, and I wish I were able to see her perform this year. The format of Justin Bieber’s performance — sitting at a laptop and playing old YouTube clips of himself — represented the possibility of being seen differently by a large audience. It was an extremely intimate performance from someone who’s long struggled with his fame. I think even a decade from now, a lot of people will remember his performance and still refer to 2026 Coachella as Bieberchella.
Megan Trainor
As for the other performance, I would have loved to see Meghan Trainor sing “All About That Bass,” “Me Too,” “Better When I’m Dancing,” “Make You Look,” “Dear Future Husband,” as well as so many others. She is one of the few artists whom I have listened to from elementary school to now, and it would be wonderful to hear her live. Her lyrics and melodies are a signature blend of playfulness and vulnerability that make Trainor feel like a best friend. She is able to confront her insecurities and openly share her story of self-love and mental health. Her music really homes in on the personal and makes it universal. Since a lot of Coachella fans are Gen Z, it would be great to have her connect with everyone on a personal level with her songs. Even when I watch clips of her on TikTok, her stage presence is captivating! Similar to Sabrina Carpenter, she would continue the sparkly, fun theme in her own way.
Culture Club
In the first week, I would have also liked to hear Culture Club perform “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” Culture Club is well-known for its incredible blending of pop, reggae, and Motown influences. I love artists and bands that can mix different genres into their own style. Culture Club stays iconic, and it would be an ideal addition to the Coachella lineup for me. On top of its unique music, Boy George, the lead singer, is a trailblazer in the fashion world for his androgynous image. He encapsulated a flamboyant gender-nonconforming look that defied 1980s norms. I believe he is one of the first unapologetic innovators in the music and fashion world.
BENEE
Another artist whom I listen to and would like to include in my Coachella lineup is BENEE. I first heard her music through TikTok in 2020 when her song “Supalonely” took over the app for a bit when the world shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a New Zealand alt-pop artist who is now based in my hometown, Los Angeles. All of my favorite songs from her, including “Glitter,” “Find an Island,” “Wishful Thinking,” and “Beach Boy,” are a combination of indie pop with bedroom pop, funk, and soulful influences that quickly become her dreamy style. If I had to give my dream Coachella lineup a theme, it would center on artists who effortlessly fuse multiple genres into something uniquely their own. Like Trainor and Bieber, BENEE’s music is introspective and features relatable lyrics about emotional processing. I relate to BENEE a lot, especially the way she uses songwriting as a form of venting and reflection, because I use journaling in the same way. Her voice in her songs is so clear and authentic. If I had the VIP pass at Coachella, I would definitely want to meet her first. She is really down-to-earth, and a lot of her songs feel like a friend sharing their innermost thoughts. I have been listening to her evolution as a songwriter for the past five years and would love to see what she would bring to the stage.
Tame Impala
I also enjoy Tame Impala’s songs “Borderline,” “The Less I Know The Better,” “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” and “Eventually.” Kevin Parker’s collaboration with Jennie (of BLACKPINK) has been popular on TikTok, and it would be amazing to see her as a featured artist.
My dream Coachella lineup is a distinctive mix of artists and bands that I have listened to for many years, and also those I would want to see perform live. It also showcases artists I have recently started listening to and performers who have a strong stage presence for a larger audience. I like the idea of a lineup that isn’t tied to one specific genre, so everyone can choose what they like to listen to from my combination of artists.