Who was the first woman to headline Coachella?
Held annually at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, Coachella has always been the perfect scene for summer-seeking influencers and concertgoers who enjoy the aesthetics and music experiences of one of the most sought-after places in the world. Granted, the years have transitioned its reputation for several reasons, but it still remains a significant focus each year.
One of the reasons for this consistent intrigue is the celebrity interest it continues to uphold. Whenever the weekend appears each year, countless names appear in headlines, relating to everything from what they’re wearing to who they’re with and which artists they watch. Through the years, there have been moments that simultaneously drum up excitement and make you question whether the festival is still a festival or merely an Instagram spectacle.
Although the organisers would likely argue that it can be both, there’s no denying Coachella’s influence on several facets of culture beyond its music immersion. For instance, the last few years have given rise to an influx of Coachella-inspired fashion, allowing “fans” to dress up as though they were having the time of their lives at the coveted desert party even if they’re not actually there.
However, this undeniably began with the impressive lineups, which have included names spanning from indie outfits like The Cure, Radiohead, and The Last Shadow Puppets to more summer-appropriate acts like Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Childish Gambino, Tame Impala, Drake, and more. While a seemingly infinite list of bands have adorned the main stage, many solo artists have also captivated the vast audience, drawing in existing fans and new ones from all over.
Who was the first woman to headline Coachella?
For Coachella’s inaugural lineup in 1999, there was a definite lean towards popular alternative acts, like headliners Beck, Tool, and Rage Against the Machine, with other acts including the Chemical Brothers, Morrissey, A Perfect Circle, Jurassic 5, and Underworld. Of course, the festival’s acts and overall feel have changed since then, but its place as a cultural barometer seemed established from day one.
Although its second iteration faced weather-related difficulties and a delay as a result, the condensed lineup didn’t seem to affect interest, and it continued to grow into one of the most competitive yearly events. This time, the headliner was Jane’s Addiction, meaning Coachella wouldn’t welcome its first female headliner until 2002, when they invited Björk to the main stage.
Alongside Björk were several other huge names, like Oasis, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, and The Prodigy, but Björk’s hierarchical presence on the billing helped to solidify her success overseas, establishing her as one of the biggest and most important experimental artists of the decade. Moreover, as a solo female artist performing alongside such coveted indie bands, Björk helped break down barriers in a male-dominated scene while celebrating the power of individuality in the music industry.
At the same time, Björk’s presence signified several other distinguishing factors for Coachella after the fact, as their lineup suddenly became far more diverse following her inclusion. For a festival that started with a heavy lean towards alternative and indie music, their lineup post-2002 saw more artists from other genres and backgrounds reaching up the ranks, drawing audiences in from countless other corners of the industry.
