NPR Music Staff Share Their 2026 Coachella Festival Guides
Three NPR Music staff members—Dora Levite, Sheldon Pearce, and Anamaria Sayre—have compiled a day-by-day guide with artist recommendations for the upcoming Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Their schedules are designed to help attendees navigate the festival's extensive lineup.
The NPR Music guide is presented as a resource for attendees navigating potential scheduling conflicts between artists performing at the same time.
Festival Overview
The 2026 Coachella festival is scheduled for April at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The event spans two weekends and will feature over 100 musical acts performing across eight stages. The festival will be streamed live on YouTube, though some sources note that the Yuma stage may not be included in the live stream. All set times and stage assignments are subject to change.
Friday: Dora Levite's Picks
Dora Levite's recommended plan for Friday begins at 1:00 PM Pacific Time.
Notable Schedule:
- 1:00 PM: Doom Dave (Sonora stage)
- Daytime Acts: Febuary, Cahuilla Bird Singers and Dancers, Slayyyter, Wednesday, Lykke Li, Central Cee, Dijon, and CMAT.
- Evening Highlights: fakemink, Turnstile, Sabrina Carpenter, Ethel Cain, and Blood Orange.
- Final Set: 11:55 PM.
Levite identified fakemink, described as a 20-year-old artist from London, as a recommended act for the day.
Saturday: Sheldon Pearce's Picks
Sheldon Pearce's plan for Saturday suggests starting at 2:40 PM Pacific Time. The schedule includes a notable surprise performance.
Notable Schedule:
- 2:40 PM: Part of Blondshell's set.
- Key Performance: A surprise set by Jack White.
- Other Highlights: Ecca Vandal, Alex G, Geese, Sombr, Davido, PinkPantheress, Interpol, and Justin Bieber.
Pearce highlighted performances by Alex G and Jack White's surprise set as notable events for Saturday.
Sunday: Anamaria Sayre's Picks
Anamaria Sayre's Sunday plan begins at 3:15 PM Pacific Time with Samia's performance at the Mojave tent.
Notable Schedule:
- 3:15 PM: Samia (Mojave tent).
- Daytime & Evening Acts: Little Simz, Clipse, Los Retros, Suicidal Tendencies, Röyksopp, Young Thug, FKA twigs, and French Police.
- 9:55 PM: Karol G, who is noted as the first Latina artist to headline the Coachella festival.
Sayre identified Little Simz, described as a U.K. rapper, as a recommended act for Sunday.