Do you smell that? The familiar aroma in the air? I smell it. It’s Coachella 2017.
The festival may not be until April, but the lineup will be out in January and as usual, the speculation surrounding said lineup has been going off.
Well it’s EDM Maniac’s turn to speculate, and we have some pretty compelling theories.
1. Kendrick Lamar
To the people who have been following updates regarding the lineup, this will come as no surprise. Frankly, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Other than a sub reddit claiming that Kendrick, Radiohead, and Beyonce would be there definitively, Kendrick topping the bill just makes sense.
First of all, Kendrick has headlined both of Goldenvoice’s last two major festivals, FYF and Panorama. Second of all, this writer is of the opinion that Kendrick didn’t anticipate the level of stardom to which he would be catapulted upon the release of ‘To Pimp A Butterfly.’ As a result, it’s likely he wouldn’t want to return to Coachella except as a headliner, but to do so he would have to release new material that could support a tour. That’s why he released ‘Untitled. Unmastered.’ He didn’t write any new songs for it, but the songs he chose are all up to par with ‘Butterfly’ and thus provided a reason to tour again.
2. A Tribe Called Quest
The release of ‘We Got It From Here…Thank You For Your Service’ has been widely celebrated by all hip hop fans. But with the absence of Phife Dawg, it was unclear whether the group could tour again. Well, not only did Q-Tip hint at a World Tour, but the group performed on Saturday Night Live.
Combine that information with the fact that Coachella is known for special-guest filled hip hop sets (Ice Cube, Pharrell Williams, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg), and there is an excellent chance Tribe will be there this year.
3. J. Cole
Let’s keep the rap train moving. J. Cole has never played Coachella, but the few tour dates he’s done recently have been festivals. In fact, a headlining spot on Air and Style in LA is what probably kept him from playing the festival this year. The idea of not being a headliner might turn him off, but he does have a new album coming out, and this year of Coachella seems like it will be a big year for rap.
4. Sasha and John Digweed
Every year of Coachella there is at least one artist that cancels their appearance the week of the festival. Last year it was Dubfire. This year it was Sasha (among others). The thing about that though, is the artists that flake usually come back the next year as Dubfire did. Pair that truth with the fact that Sasha and Digweed have reunited and are scheduled for several sets together already (Ultra, EDC Mexico) it’s very likely they will play Coachella together. Plus, they’ve already played the festival together twice in the past.
5. Justice
Justice has played Coachella every time they tour for an album and they just released an album last month. Their presence is a pretty safe bet at this point, especially with their new live show.
6. Marshmello
Marshmello is one of the biggest names in dance music at the moment, and Coachella has a habit of snatching those up. Last year the Chainsmokers were there. The year before, DJ Snake was there. Plus, his headlining shows at the Shrine were far enough away from Coachella time-wise to where he would still generate buzz for the festival.
7. Major Lazer
It’s becoming more and more commonplace for artists to play Coachella two years in a row. Dillon Francis did it in 2013 and 2014. Flosstradamus did it in 2014 and 2015. Well not only has Major Lazer had much more success than both of those artists over the last two years, but they are already working on the next album, ‘Music Is The Weapon.’ Plus, their set at Do Lab last year was one for the books. Round 2 is certainly in order.
8. DJ Khaled
He said he’d be there on Snapchat.
9. DJ Snake
So did he.
10. Gorillaz
This is the one that everyone needs to pray for. Seriously, if you’re reading this knock on something made of wood right now. The Gorillaz made an appearance at Coachella back in 2010 to support their last album, ‘Plastic Beach’. Now there is another Gorillaz album on the horizon, and if it comes out before this year is over, that would put them in a perfect position to headline. Very little information is known about the album except for a few rumored guest appearances. The fact remains, however, that headliners of Coachella have a tendency to return and Damon Albarn is a Coachella regular having played the festival 4 times since 2003 with various projects.
Coachella 2017 will take place on April 14-16 and April 21-23 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA. Below you’ll find some more artists we think will make an appearance as well.
Radiohead
Kid Cudi
Four Tet
Floating Points
Gorgon City
The Shins
Zeds Dead
The Lumineers
Mija
Dimond Saints
Eprom
Shades
Kraftwerk
Young Thug
Justice
Gucci Mane
Moderat
Eric Prydz
Bon Iver
James Blake
Devandra Banhart
The Pharcyde
Band of Skulls
Bassnectar
Die Antwoord
Flux Pavilion
Frank Ocean
Shiba San
Gaslamp Killer
G Jones b2b Minnesota
Dawes
Shabazz Palaces
Gold Panda
Ame
Lane 8
Caspa Rusko
Gentlemens Club
Tiga Live
The xx
Danny Brown
Bonobo
Stephan Bodzin
&Me
A-trak
GTA
Metro Boomin
Isaiah Rashad
Dillon Francis
Boys Noize
Nick Murphy
Soulwax
Parliament Funkadelic
Alan Fitzpatrick
Martinez Brothers
The Weeknd
Chance The Rapper
Nghtmre
Lil Yachty
Aphex Twin
Porter and Madeon
Flaming Lips
Iggy Azalea
Zak Abel
Jesus and Mary Chain
Schoolboy Q
Gucci Mane
Thundercat
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