Coachella's journey began in 1999, perfectly aligned with the post-grunge era. Its inaugural headliners were influential rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Tool, alongside the experimental sounds of Beck. The festival's early years were defined by rock, with Jane's Addiction headlining in 2001 after a drought-induced hiatus in 2000.
In 2002, Icelandic singer Björk became the first female headliner, while Oasis, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, and The Prodigy featured on the second day. The 2003 edition saw Beastie Boys and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and introduced onsite camping. Radiohead and The Cure headlined the first sold-out event in 2004, marking the first of many returns for both acts.
2005 featured Nine Inch Nails and Coldplay's US headliner debut. Daft Punk's elaborate LED pyramid performance in 2006 made history, despite Depeche Mode and Tool being the primary draws. Coachella expanded to three days in 2007, bringing back previous headliners including Rage Against the Machine.
Prince was added as a last-minute headliner in 2008 to boost ticket sales, following initial sluggish sales with Roger Waters and Jack Johnson. Paul McCartney became the first Beatle to headline the Mojave Tent in 2009, while The Cure's set was cut short due to curfew. Jay-Z became the first rap headliner in 2010.
Kanye West's 2011 headlining set is considered one of the greatest hip-hop festival performances. Coachella expanded to two weekends in 2012, with Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg resurrecting Tupac as a 3D hologram. British acts Blur and The Stone Roses headlined in 2013, alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers' third return.
EDM finally edged out rock headliners in 2014, with Calvin Harris, Skrillex, and Disclosure under OutKast, Muse, and Arcade Fire. The festival's evolution continues, with lineups increasingly featuring pop and rap marquee names, reflecting broader musical trends.
