The Coachella 2024 lineup is bringing back some classic rock acts that have become iconic over the years.
These artists, who were big in the alternative rock scene, now carry a special status as legendary performers thanks to their memorable Coachella appearances.
Coachella has a history of featuring major reunions and comeback shows that you can’t experience anywhere else. In the past, they hosted epic reunions like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in 2012, Outkast in 2014, and a surprise addition of Prince in 2008. However, in recent years, the festival leaned towards global pop stars like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, and Harry Styles.
Despite this shift, Coachella hasn’t entirely abandoned the reunion strategy. The 2024 lineup suggests a return to the festival’s roots, featuring ‘90s alt-rock acts such as No Doubt, Sublime, and Deftones, who are now considered legacy acts with a renewed sense of prestige, thanks to their Coachella appearances.
As Coachella celebrates its 25th year, there seems to be a growing interest in nostalgia for the music of the ‘90s and early 2000s. The success of adding Blink-182 to the 2023 lineup showed that there’s a demand for millennial nostalgia. The recent resurgence of alt-rock and guitar music in mainstream culture, represented by artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Machine Gun Kelly, likely influenced this decision.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the acts that Coachella 2024 is bringing back:
No Doubt:
The headliner for the 2024 lineup is No Doubt, the ska-punk/alt-pop band from Orange County. Known for their breakout album “Tragic Kingdom” almost 30 years ago, this reunion featuring Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, and Adrian Young is generating a lot of buzz. Having not played together since 2015, their return is significant for the now-older millennial fanbase that grew up with hits like “Just a Girl,” “Spiderwebs,” “Don’t Speak,” and “Hella Good.”
Sublime:
Sublime has been touring with singer and guitarist Rome Ramirez since 2009, evolving into “Sublime With Rome.” A recent shakeup in 2023 saw Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob, joining the band as the singer. This change likely made Sublime’s booking even more appealing to Coachella. Their inclusion contributes to the festival’s ‘90s alt-rock narrative, especially considering Sublime’s Southern California roots, not far from No Doubt’s origin in Anaheim.
Deftones:
The Deftones, a band that started in Sacramento in 1988, are part of the ’90s revival and have gained significant recognition. Like Sublime, they have an important position in the lineup at Coachella. Although their latest album, “Ohms,” came out in 2020, they’ve been touring a lot in recent years. This Coachella performance is a big deal for them, marking one of their largest shows ever. It’s also a kind of validation for the band and their genre, which used to be looked down upon. Frontman Chino Moreno mentioned in 2016 that they hadn’t been invited to play Coachella before because some still saw them as a nu-metal band, which wasn’t considered cool enough.
Blur:
Blur was a big deal in Coachella’s Britpop revival in 2013, headlining alongside The Stone Roses. This upcoming Coachella show might be a significant farewell for Blur. They released their first studio album in eight years last July, but Damon Albarn, the lead singer, announced that he’s done with the band. He mentioned that wrapping up the campaign was the right thing to do and an immense honor, making Coachella the only announced show for 2024.
Taking Back Sunday:
Taking Back Sunday, the emo heroes from Long Island in the 2000s, have been touring a lot in recent years and dropped a new album in 2023. Their appearance at Coachella is expected to boost their popularity and contribute to the overall alt-revival theme of the lineup.
Justice:
Justice, the French electronic duo, played a significant role in the mid-2000s bloghouse era with their 2007 album “Cross.” Their Coachella appearance is likely to trigger nostalgia for older millennial attendees. The duo, Gaspard Augé and Xavier Rosnay, have been relatively quiet since winning a Grammy in 2019, but they are making a comeback in 2024. They teased new music and announced a tour, starting at Coachella, where they played their first live show in 2007. This will be their sixth time performing at Coachella in the last 17 years, and they are set to release a new album this year.
Coachella 2024 seems to be embracing the historic element of its lineup, bringing back beloved acts that defined an era and left a lasting impact on music history.