Coachella 2022 live: California music festival kicks off with performances and fresh rumours
Following a three-year interruption, Coachella finally makes its highly-anticipated return today (15 April).
Located in Indio, California, the desert festival has gained popularity over the years for its glitzy Instagram-worthy dress code and major celebrity guest sightings.
Before the pandemic shut down large-scale music events, Coachella’s 2019 top-billed performers covered the musical spectrum with Childish Gambino’s hip-hop, Ariana Grande’s pop, and Tame Impala’s alternative indie.
The biggest names in music will perform over the next two weekends. The star-studded headliners for this year’s event include Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Swedish House Mafia, with The Weeknd stepping in to replace Kanye West who pulled out last minute.
Find all the updates from Coachella as it happens below
Key Points
Coachella 2022: Set times for all of its Weekend 1 performances
Coachella 2022: 12 must-see artists, from Billie Eilish to The HU
Dropping some fun Coachella knowledge
22:40 , Inga Parkel
Did you know Coachella only made its inception into the world of festivals in 1999? However, due to its Southern California locale, a drought brought the festival to a pause in 2000.
It wasn’t until 2007, in an effort to compete with Lollapalooza’s recent expansion from a two-day event to three days, that the Coachella festival mimicked the extension.
The following year in 2008, Prince was added to the list of headliners after ticket sales slumped to a record low with its initial lineup of Roger Waters and Jack Johnson.
Read here for more fun facts about the festival’s history, including every single headline act throughout its 23 years.
Bag policy, lockers, and everything else you need to know
22:25 , Inga Parkel
There’s a lot to remember going into the three-day weekend, but here are just a few key things to know beforehand to make your experience go as smooth as possible.
Bag Policy
You may bring backpacks, purses, handbags, totes, and fanny packs into the venue. They must not be bigger than 20” tall, 15” wide, and 9” thick when fully packed.
Lockers
Lockers are available to rent, but it’s recommended you reserve one online beforehand, as there is a limited supply. They are located in the venue and are accessible during show hours from Friday to Sunday. Combo locks must be returned by 1am on Monday.
What time does the festival end?
According to the official website, the festival will conclude in the evenings around 1am on Friday and Saturday and 12am on Sunday.
Read here for a more extensive breakdown on the important things you need to know.
Justin Bieber rumoured to make surprise appearance
21:52 , Inga Parkel
Rumour has it that Justin Bieber will reportedly make a surprise Coachella appearance during Daniel Caesar’s set, scheduled on Friday 15 April from 10:10pm – 10:55 pm PT.
The Canadian singer’s chart-topping song “Peaches,” features Caesar, along with Giveon.
According to TMZ, production sources revealed that Bieber will join Caesar to perform their 2021 hit song. It’s unknown if Giveon will also join the duo.
Will Ed Sheeran join Lil Baby for a surprise collaboration?
20:52 , Kevin E G Perry
Lil Baby has set the Coachella rumour mill ablaze by tweeting his name alongside Ed Sheeran’s and a rocket ship emoji.
Could that mean a collaboration on the Coachella stage tonight? Only time will tell!
Ed Sheeran X Lil Baby 🚀
— Lil Baby (@lilbaby4PF) April 15, 2022
How to access Coachella’s live stream
20:27 , Inga Parkel
If you weren’t able to nab a wristband for the weekend, fear not. For the tenth year, fans can still access Coachella’s YouTube live stream via phone, desktop, smart TV, and the YouTube music app.
The musical event’s first-weekend live stream will have shows from 80 different artists, including the star-studded headliners, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Swedish House Mafia with The Weeknd.
Weekend one’s live stream begins at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET on Friday 15 April and runs until the evening of Monday 18 April.
You can access it on the official Coachella YouTube channel.
There will be three different channels available to choose from of varying performances happening simultaneously.
For more information regarding the live programming read here.
Billboards along the road to Coachella
19:45 , Kevin E G Perry
Over the past few years, the road to Coachella has become a place for artists to get the hype train rolling with flashy billboards advertising their festival slots. This year’s most fabulous comes from silky R&B singer Omar Apollo.
Stay hydrated in the blistering heat!
19:31 , Kevin EG Perry
The first challenge for many Coachella attendees is braving the blistering heat while waiting in line to collect their wristbands. Hope everyone’s staying hydrated!
Coachella organisers ease Covid-19 restrictions for this year’s festival
19:00 , Inga Parkel
Coachella attendees will not be required to present Covid vaccination certificates, negative tests, or wear face masks at the festival this year. However, there will be on-site Covid testing tents.
Organisers said lifting these restrictions was in compliance with California state health guidelines, adding that they could be reinstated in view of changing public health conditions.
This could mean “changes to capacity, attendance procedures and entry requirements”, according to a statement posted on the official Coachella website.
Though organisers have recommended face coverings to protect against desert dust.
Read more here for any additional information regarding Coachella’s Covid protocols.
Coachella 2022: 12 must-see artists, from Billie Eilish to The HU
18:00 , Inga Parkel
Coachella makes its big return this year with a colossal lineup of incredible performers.
But with so many great bands on the bill, it’s hard to know where to start. So if you’re in Indio for either weekend, here are the 12 must-see acts, according to The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor.
The HU: Outdoor Theatre on Friday 15 April, 2:55pm – 3:55pm PT
Arlo Parks: Gobi on Saturday 16 April, 4:50pm – 5:35pm PT
Billie Eilish: Coachella Stage on Saturday 16 April 16, 11:30pm – 12:55am PT
Emotional Oranges: Mojave on Sunday 17 April 17, 3:50pm – 4:30pm PT
Rina Sawayama: Gobi on Saturday 16 April 16, 6:00pm – 6:45pm PT
Phoebe Bridgers: Outdoor Theatre on Friday 15 April 15, 9:10pm – 10:10pm PT
Dave: Mojave on Sunday 17 April, 7:15pm – 8:00 pm PT
Hot Chip: Gobi on Saturday 16 April, 10:50pm – 11:35pm PT
Koffee: Coachella Stage on Saturday 16 April, 2:00pm – 2:40pm PT
Måneskin: Mojave on Sunday 17 April, 8:30pm – 9:15pm PT
Omar Apollo: Outdoor Theatre on Friday 15 April, 5:05pm – 5:50pm PT
Rich Brian: Sahara on Saturday 16 April, 9:40pm – 10:25pm PT
Read here for an in-depth breakdown as to why these are the artists you absolutely cannot miss!
Coachella 2022: Set times for all of its Weekend 1 performances
17:00 , Inga Parkel
On Thursday morning (14 April), fans had expressed their shock as the schedule for set times still hadn’t been released.
“Happy @coachella set time anxiety day to all who observe,” one person joked on social media.
However, later that day, the event’s big bosses finally unveiled the full schedule.
Find the entire schedule of slated performances for Coachella’s Weekend 1, from Harry Styles’ big desert festival debut on Friday at 11:35pm PT, Billie Eilish’s Saturday performance at 11:30pm PT, Swedish House Mafia with the Weeknd’s closing day performance at 10:20pm PT on Sunday, and all of the artists in between.
A previously unannounced set from the band Arcade Fire also features on the bill, with the group playing at 6:45pm PT on the night of Friday 15 April
16:58 , Jacob Stolworthy
Hello and welcome to our Coachella live blog!
