Coachella Festival News
HARDEN Talks 2025 Highlights, Denver Scene, Influences & More
HARDEN is carving out a bold space in indie dance, blending raw emotion, analog grit, and immersive energy into a sound that’s his own.
With a breakout year already in motion, HARDEN is quickly establishing himself as a formidable voice in the indie dance world. His Onyx Doe EP has turned heads on both vinyl and streaming platforms, earning chart-topping success and praise for its gritty, hypnotic sound. Fresh off standout performances at Miami Music Week and ABC Ranch during Coachella, and deeply embedded in Denver’s evolving music scene, HARDEN is pushing boundaries through both sound and community. We caught up with him to talk creative process, influences, and what’s next.
Hi Marc. Thanks so much for speaking with us. How are you and how has your year been so far? Any highlights to air?
I’m great. I’m living a dream. 2025 is one for the books for me. The release of the Onyx Doe EP on vinyl and streaming platforms is probably tops for the year so far, but the gigs have been super special. There have been so many great events, but the shows at Miami Music Week and ABC Ranch during Coachella really stand out for me.
What’s the scene like in Denver? Is there a thriving party and music community? What about labels and record shops, etc?
Denver has a very interesting scene. Denver is very connected and supportive within the party / music communities – you see a lot of the same friends at almost every show. There’s also Red Rocks up the hill as well as other world class venues like Mission Ballroom and others and just about every artist pulls through town. That can cause some fatigue on hard ticket shows but the community generally supports nonetheless. There are some legendary pop-up event companies and the city has a rich music culture. It’s definitely more laid back than Miami or New York, which frankly, is nice. Since there are so many options for events/shows/concerts, some events don’t do as well as they might in other cities, but the city is generally full of music junkies and people that like to tear it up for a few days… it suits me.
How much has Denver shaped your own sound? Tell us about your musical journey up until the present .
I’m not sure that Denver has much influence on my sound, honestly. When I was in my teens, I was really drawn to the post-punk sound of Washington DC as well as some of the indie/lo-fi rock that was coming out of California and New York. I grew up playing electric guitar on a tube amps and the sound I was drawn to wasn’t really represented in my city. Over the years, as I was drawn to dance music, there was a better connection to Denver from a music appreciation perspective. I think that if you listen to HARDEN music, you’ll hear some common threads that you would have heard in the 9:30 or Black Cat 30 years ago in DC. There’s an edge to the music that I feel drawn to, a grime to it, and of course a steady kick. I wouldn’t say that was a Denver sound, at least when I was growing in music. Nowadays though, there are lots of strong indie dance artists/DJs in the community and we definitely love playing off each other and sharing music.
What artists would you say have been the biggest influences on your sound?
Fergie, of course. He’s my musical hero and co-creator. I really dig the dark but still vibey sounds of Oppaacha, Jimi Jules and Mita Gami. I also really enjoy the dark and relentless sound of Gary Beck and Raxon. The dramatic elements of NTO and Angelos are a part of the sound too. Many others, of course.
Can you tell us what ‘Onyx Doe’ represents to you sonically and emotionally? What was the headspace going into this release?
I love the attitude of the song. It comes out and has a position. Strong kick and deep, dark indie sounds, which is what I love most in electronic music now and was represented in the music I loved growing up. The vocal is playful and powerful and is a bit hip hop, which is another genre I love. The sound just hits the vibe for me and I’m super pumped about how it came out. I love the drama in it but also the relentless and hypnotic rhythm underlying the whole track.
The song has some additional sentimental value as I named it after a friend that was ejected from a vehicle and paralyzed. He has “Onyx Doe” tattooed on his knees. That’s what the hospital named him when they couldn’t identify him. His attitude about his circumstance is tremendous and we’ve done a lot in music together. He grinds and loves and has an edge to him, which I think is represented in the song.
As far as the headspace going into the release, I’d say it was an exciting, busy and challenging time that required toughness and an attitude of hope and openness. The song feels like that to me when I hear it.
Your debut EP hit #1 on Beatport’s indie dance chart, with all three tracks landing in the singles chart. How does that early success impact you next time you go in the studio?
It’s nice to be recognized and it’s really nice to have people dance to your tracks. That said, I’m focused on making the music I actually want to listen to and not chasing charts. The music will live on much longer than the charts and there must be integrity in it. There must be a constitution in the sound, a drive, an attitude. If there are chart climbers while the integrity of the HARDEN sound remain in tact, wonderful. It’s a wonderful start but the music has to connect to and drive the soul and has to be something I love. If I love it, I know many others will too.
You’ve shared the stage with some real heavyweights — DJ Tennis, Adam Ten, Super Flu. What’s one standout moment from those shows that’s stuck with you?
Playing with Adam Ten last summer in the RINO Art District really stands out. The studio/creative space that I have poured my soul into is just a block away from it. The show was incredible. We played on an art car that had fire shooting off it, lasers, and the best sound I’ve heard. It was one of the best parties I’ve ever been to in Denver and it was on a Sunday, which sounds impossible. Every time I walk to get a margarita or a coffee a block away, I see where the pop-up was and I get carried back to that day. In my mind, I can see the art car sitting where the stage was and can feel the energy of that day. It’s a beautiful lot with tons of graffiti and I hope someday that I can play another show there. It’s magical.
Casa Alta is more than just a label. It’s a party, a label, a studio, a creative hub… what’s the unifying theme, vision or motivation behind it all?
The unifying theme is unapologetic and independent creativity. There is certainly a Casa Alta way of doing things, and that tends to be finding an edge in the sound and vibe and ensuring that the highest quality people and tools are utilized in creating whatever it is Casa Alta has it’s mind on. Everybody on the Casa Alta team has an intense passion for music and life. We do want to deliver “special” and unique in whatever event, record, or relationship that we are involved in. That said, it has to be done with the intention of an independent spirit, one that that has great taste, a love for tequila and occasionally a short memory, hahaha.
Your events feel really art-forward and immersive. Do you draw inspiration from outside the club world – visual art, architecture and film for example?
That’s a really interesting question. I honestly don’t know. I’ve always been drawn to interesting architecture and that’s certainly a calling card of our shows. I grew up on truly independent rock music and most of the shows I would go to were very small, usually less than 50 people. It was impactful being able to feel the energy of the artists, and that is certainly a major component of what we try to deliver. I also grew up on Tarantino films and the great noir films of the 90s and I’d say that there are some ethereal elements from those movies that you can feel at our events.
What are you building in Denver with the new studio and artist space? Can you give us a glimpse of what that hub will offer?
The space is incredible. It’s 4,000 square feet in the heart of RINO, the arts district of Denver. The space and studio itself are heavily analog focused. It’s a space that connects the old studio designs of the 1960s and 70s to today. The sound system throughout the facility is amazing. The lighting and interior design elements throughout the space are just totally unique, beautiful and sensible.
The equipment in the studio itself is largely analog gear that delivers a beautiful, rich sound you can’t get out of a computer. There’s a beautiful old Space Echo unit we use constantly, a bespoke modular synth we’ve built up over the past year, an original 909 that’s still punching hard, and a Prophet-10 that’s just dripping with character. These pieces are a big part of the sound we’re crafting.
Aside from the studio, there are many areas to relax, play pool, have a beer, or meet with your team in a very vibe-driven and comfortable environment. The space is connected throughout and the aesthetic is unique and timeless. Within the building is a high-fi vinyl listening lounge that houses working vintage equipment as well as turntables and a mixer ready to go at all times. We have 2,500 records in the cabinetry of the vinyl lounge, and another 7500 records in our archive. There’s a stage and dance floor area for artists to test their music in front of a small private audience, or to have a post-show kickback with their team. The sound throughout the facility has been thought out by some of the best and it will be some of the most pristine sound you can find. The facility is private, secured, and sound-proofed. The building is one that nobody will want to leave once in it. That said, if you were to need a drink or a bite, you’re a block or two away from the best Denver has to offer. There’s nothing like this place. I can’t wait to get in.
What’s next? Any dream collaborations, wild concepts or shows we should keep an eye on?
There are some remixes of songs from the Onyx Doe EP coming out soon from Super Flu, Oppaacha, and Arnaud Rebotini, which I’m very excited about. I’m very excited about the next single, “Fugazi,” which has been a blast to play and I think is special. I’m working on a few other tracks and I’m hoping to get a few other remix collaborations done this year. I have a few wild concepts for events up my sleeve yet but I have to keep them to myself or it will spoil the surprise… but they’re pretty wild and I’m sure you’ll hear about them eventually, haha. I’m excited for some shows next summer in places that don’t have a huge house music community and getting creative with that. I’m still figuring that all out but I love the idea of playing to folks that have a reason to be there and sending them home thinking about something they haven’t seen or heard of. There are so many unique venues that are untapped and I want to get the people and the music to them. You’ll see a few this fall in the southwest USA that are absolutely stunning. I can’t wait to share those sets.
What was the last record that blew you away?
Pagan Dance Move by Arnaud Rebotini. What an ass-kicking tune that is. I know it’s 13 years old, but I found it late, ha!
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Spotify Data Reveals 2010s EDM Dominates Coachella 2026 Playlists, with tracks like “Clarity” and “Lean On” leading fan-curated selections
Spotify’s latest data, based on more than 340,000 user-generated Coachella playlists ahead of the 2026 festival, shows how listeners are preparing for the weekend in a way that goes beyond the current lineup. Instead of focusing only on artists set to play this year, fans are adding tracks that were central to the festival’s earlier years, especially from the early and mid-2010s. Songs like Latch by Disclosure and Sam Smith, Lean On by Major Lazer, MØ, and DJ Snake, Clarity by Zedd and Foxes, and Drop The Game by Flume and Chet Faker appear consistently across these playlists. Even without most of these names appearing on the 2026 lineup, their music is still part of how people are getting into the festival mindset, linking the current edition back to a period many still associate with Coachella’s peak years.
The 2010s Tracks Fans Still Add to Coachella Playlists Before the Festival
Looking at the songs turning up most often in these Coachella playlists ahead of 2026, the pattern points back to a short but important period from 2012 to 2015, when electronic music stopped being limited to club crowds and started reaching a much wider audience. Latch by Disclosure and Sam Smith dropped in 2012 and took time to grow, first breaking through in the UK before later becoming a sleeper hit in the United States. That longer climb matters here. It was not a song that flashed and disappeared after one season. It stayed in people’s playlists, on radio, and in DJ selections long enough to become attached to that era in a lasting way. Billboard later described it as Disclosure’s breakthrough single, which helps explain why it still shows up when listeners put together festival playlists now.
@coachella 2016 ➡️ 2026 @Disclosure ♬ original sound – coachella
Clarity by Zedd and Foxes, also released in 2012, played a different role in that period because it reached both pop audiences and dance audiences at the same time. It was not just a festival favorite. It also won Best Dance Recording at the 56th GRAMMY Awards, which gave it a level of recognition few EDM tracks from that period received in the mainstream. Then in 2015, Lean On by Major Lazer, MØ, and DJ Snake pushed that crossover even further. By November that year, Billboard reported that it had become Spotify’s most-streamed song of all time, showing how strongly it connected across streaming, radio, and festival culture all at once. When listeners add those records to Coachella playlists now, they are not pulling from a random nostalgia pile. They are picking songs that marked major turning points in how electronic music reached the public.
@zedd Let’s do it again @coachella ♬ Clarity – Zedd
Drop The Game by Flume and Chet Faker, released on November 18, 2013, adds another side of that story. Unlike Clarity or Lean On, it was not driven by the same global pop exposure, but it still became one of the defining electronic releases to come out of Australia during that period. It reached No. 18 on the ARIA Singles Chart, went Platinum in Australia, and placed at No. 5 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2013. That matters because it shows this playlist trend is not only about the biggest crossover hits. Listeners are also going back to records that carried a different mood and reflected how broad the scene had become by the middle of the decade. Put together, these four tracks map out a period when electronic music was expanding in several directions at once, which is exactly why they still make sense in Coachella 2026 playlists now.
Fans Mix 2010s EDM with Current Headliners in Coachella Playlists
Looking beyond the track selections, the artist data from Spotify shows how listeners are placing different eras of Coachella side by side in the same playlists ahead of 2026. Alongside songs like Clarity or Lean On, the most added names include Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and Billie Eilish, artists who have held headline or closing positions at the festival in recent years. Their presence next to early 2010s EDM records is not accidental. It reflects how listeners combine tracks from an earlier EDM-focused period with artists who now represent the current direction of Coachella.
That combination links back to how the festival itself has shifted over time. During the early 2010s, electronic acts such as Calvin Harris, Swedish House Mafia, and Avicii were regularly scheduled in major evening slots, with tracks like Clarity or Lean On appearing across multiple sets in the same weekend. In more recent editions, those same time slots are more often occupied by artists like The Weeknd or Billie Eilish, whose performances draw different audiences and change how the night unfolds across stages. When listeners include these artists in the same playlist, they are not separating past and present, they are arranging them in a way that reflects how they understand the festival across different years.
The way listeners approach these playlists ahead of Coachella 2026 also reflects how preparation for the festival now extends beyond simply following a lineup. With Spotify’s collaborative playlists, groups attending together can add tracks into a shared list before the weekend, which often leads to a mix that includes both 2010s EDM and current artists without one replacing the other. At the same time, prompt-based playlists give users a starting point tied directly to the lineup, using requests such as creating a playlist focused on artists they already follow alongside new names they plan to see. These features do not determine what listeners choose, but they make it easier to combine past listening habits with current plans, which helps explain why tracks like Clarity or Lean On continue to appear alongside artists performing at Coachella today.
This pattern across Spotify playlists ahead of Coachella 2026 points to something more specific than nostalgia. The continued presence of 2010s EDM is tied to how listeners remember the festival at a time when electronic music held a central role across major stages, while the inclusion of current headliners reflects how the event has expanded in recent years. When both appear in the same playlist, it is not a contrast for the sake of it, it is a way of bringing those two periods into one listening experience. As fans prepare for Coachella, these playlists become less about following a lineup and more about reconnecting with the tracks and artists they associate with the festival, which explains why songs from the 2010s continue to sit alongside today’s biggest names.
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EDM Festivals April 2026: What’s Happening Worldwide Highlights Key Events Taking Place This Month
April 2026 continues the festival calendar with major events taking place across the US, Europe, and Asia. Coachella returns to California across two weekends, while Thailand hosts both S2O Songkran Music Festival and Siam Songkran Festival during the Songkran period. In Europe, DGTL Festival Amsterdam and Terminal V Festival take place across full weekend formats, while destination events such as Snowbombing and Day Zero Bali bring international lineups into resort and travel-focused settings. Here’s a full look at the EDM festivals taking place throughout April 2026.
Coachella
Dates: April 10–12 & April 17–19, 2026
Location: Indio, California, USA
Coachella takes place across two weekends with the same lineup each week, bringing together artists from across multiple genres alongside a consistent selection of electronic acts. The 2026 edition includes names such as Anyma, Solomun, Disclosure, and REZZ, continuing the festival’s pattern of booking established DJs within a wider cross-genre program.
S2O Songkran Music Festival
Dates: April 11–13, 2026
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Held during the Songkran period, S2O Songkran Music Festival incorporates large-scale water systems directly into the stage setup, with water effects timed alongside each set throughout the event. The 2026 lineup includes Alan Walker B2B Steve Aoki, Zedd, Kygo, and Don Diablo, with each day featuring a different artist schedule across the three-day festival.
Breakaway Festival Dallas
Dates: April 10–11, 2026
Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
The Dallas stop of Breakaway Festival takes place at Fair Park with a two-day lineup led by FISHER, SOFI TUKKER, Disclosure, Eli Brown, HUGEL, Lilly Palmer, AMÉMÉ, and SG Lewis. The poster also shows support across both days from artists including Hedex, Night Tales, MALÓNE, and Laszewo, giving the Dallas edition a stronger house and crossover pull across the weekend.
Breakaway Festival Tampa
Dates: April 17–18, 2026
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
The Tampa stop of Breakaway Festival takes place at Raymond James Stadium with a two-day lineup that includes Tiësto, Dom Dolla, NGHTMRE, and Chris Lorenzo, alongside names such as Cloonee, Eptic, and KETTAMA. The 2026 edition continues the series’ Florida run with separate daily lineups across both days
Breakaway Festival Arizona
Dates: April 24–25, 2026
Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
The Arizona stop of Breakaway Festival takes place at Sloan Park Festival Grounds with a two-day lineup that includes Marshmello, Kygo, James Hype, ISOxo, and Cassian, alongside names such as Loud Luxury, Dr. Fresch, Habstrakt, and Disco Dom across both days.
Day Zero Bali
Dates: April 17, 2026
Location: Bali, Indonesia
The Bali debut of Day Zero Bali takes place at GWK Cultural Park with a full sunset-to-sunrise schedule led by Damian Lazarus, alongside names including Âme, Jamie Jones, John Summit, Bonobo, Jan Blomqvist (Live), Satori (Live), and Vintage Culture. The main event sits within a wider Day Zero week running April 14–19, which includes additional shows and takeovers across the island, with Savaya hosting artists such as John Summit, Francis Mercier, and an afterparty lineup featuring Âme (DJ set), Damian Lazarus, and Jan Blomqvist.
DGTL Festival Amsterdam
Dates: April 18–20, 2026
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Taking place at NDSM Docklands, DGTL Festival Amsterdam returns with a 2026 lineup that includes CamelPhat, Âme & Trikk, FJAAK, Gerd Janson, Jayda G, and Colyn & Mees Salomé on Saturday, alongside Dom Dolla, I Hate Models, Luuk van Dijk, Jan Blomqvist (Live), Weval (Live), and DJ Tennis across Sunday programming. The weekend is split between day and night schedules across multiple stages, with the lineup moving between house, techno, and live electronic acts
Siam Songkran Festival
Dates: April 11–14, 2026
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Taking place at Bravo BKK (RCA area), Siam Songkran Festival runs across four days during the Songkran period with a 2026 lineup that includes Martin Garrix, John Summit, Marshmello, ARTBAT, Alok, Ben Nicky, Vini Vici, Gorgon City, DubVision, and Matisse & Sadko. Each day features a different set of artists, with the schedule spread across the full holiday period.
Ultra Australia
Dates: April 11–12, 2026
Location: Melbourne & Gold Coast, Australia
The 2026 edition of Ultra Australia takes place across two cities, starting at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on April 11 before moving to Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast on April 12. The first wave of artists confirmed across both stops includes The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake, Oliver Heldens, Darren Styles, and MaRLo, with additional names such as Zedd, Miss Monique, and Nico Moreno appearing on the Melbourne lineup.
Ultra South Africa
Dates: April 25–26, 2026
Location: Johannesburg & Cape Town, South Africa
The 2026 edition of Ultra South Africa takes place on April 25 at Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg before moving to The Ostrich in Cape Town on April 26. The full lineup includes John Summit, Afrojack B2B R3HAB, DJ Snake, and Axwell on the main billing, with additional names such as Apashe, Da Capo, DBN Gogo, Enoo Napa, Kitty Amor, Kyle Watson, Major League, and Scorpion Kings also confirmed for the two-city run.
Ultra Beach Gold Coast
Dates: April 12, 2026
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Held at Broadwater Parklands, Ultra Beach Gold Coast runs as a single-day event with a 2026 lineup led by Alesso, joined by The Chainsmokers, DJ Snake, Oliver Heldens, Darren Styles, and MaRLo, alongside artists including Nico Moreno and KAAZE across the day. The Gold Coast edition follows the Melbourne show the day before, keeping the same weekend while presenting its own schedule at the beachside location
Electric Mountain Festival
Dates: April 13–18, 2026
Location: Sölden, Austria
Set across the ski resort of Sölden, Electric Mountain Festival combines on-mountain shows with a closing weekend at Giggijoch, where the 2026 lineup includes Lost Frequencies, Dimitri Vegas, James Hype, Salvatore Ganacci, Timmy Trumpet, R3HAB, and Lilly Palmer. The event runs across the week with additional performances and afterparties taking place throughout the resort before the main stage days.
Terminal V Festival
Dates: April 18–19, 2026
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Across six stages at the Royal Highland Centre, Terminal V Festival brings together over 100 artists for its 2026 edition, including 999999999, Anetha, I Hate Models, KlangKuenstler, Patrick Mason, SPFDJ, and Mall Grab, alongside names such as Ben Hemsley, East End Dubs, and Patrick Topping. The lineup is split by stage and day across the weekend, with a strong focus on techno and underground electronic acts throughout the schedule.
Framework In The Desert
Dates: April 10–12, 2026
Location: Indio, California, USA
Running alongside Coachella weekend one, Framework In The Desert takes place at the Atlantic Aviation hangar in Thermal with a three-night schedule led by Disclosure (DJ Set), Mochakk, Boys Noize, and Armin van Buuren, alongside artists including KETTAMA B2B Prospa, Max Dean B2B Luke Dean, Marlon Hoffstadt, Chloé Caillet, and Azzecca across the weekend. Each night follows its own lineup, with the event positioned as a late-night continuation outside the main festival grounds.
Goldenvoice Surf Club
Dates: April 11–12 & April 18–19, 2026
Location: Palm Springs, California, USA
Across both Coachella weekends, the Palm Springs Surf Club hosts Goldenvoice Surf Club with daytime sets from BUNT., Levity, Subtronics, and Gordo, alongside additional artists across each day. The schedule changes daily across both weekends, with each date presenting a separate lineup at the venue.
Ubbi Dubbi
Dates: April 24–25, 2026
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, USA
At Panther Island Pavilion, Ubbi Dubbi returns with a two-day lineup that splits across genres, with Alesso, Zedd, deadmau5 B2B Kaskade (Kx5), and San Holo appearing alongside artists such as Cloonee, Ganja White Night, Kai Wachi, Tape B, and Wilkinson. The 2026 edition also includes sets from Of The Trees, Joyhauser, and TRYM, with different lineups scheduled across each day of the weekend.
Snowbombing
Dates: April 6–11, 2026
Location: Mayrhofen, Austria
Spread across six days in the Austrian Alps, Snowbombing combines resort venues, mountain stages, and late-night club spaces, with the 2026 lineup featuring Maribou State, De La Soul, and Orbital alongside names such as Hybrid Minds, Sub Focus, Folamour, and Interplanetary Criminal. The schedule runs across multiple locations including on-mountain stages and indoor venues, with different artists appearing throughout the week rather than a single fixed daily lineup.
Hidden City Music Festival
Dates: April 17–18, 2026
Location: Columbia, South Carolina, USA
Set for two days at the Historic Columbia Speedway, Hidden City Music Festival returns in 2026 with a lineup led by Zeds Dead and Of The Trees, alongside artists including Malaa (Alter Ego) B2B YDG, Mersiv, Ravenscoon, and Wreckno, with additional names such as Canabliss and CØNTRA across the weekend. The event focuses on bass-driven acts across both days, with each date featuring its own schedule at the venue.
Forbidden Kingdom
Dates: April 25–26, 2026
Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
Forbidden Kingdom returns to the Orlando Amphitheater with a two-day lineup featuring Subtronics, Svdden Death, Zeds Dead, and Liquid Stranger B2B Mersiv, alongside Virtual Riot, ATLiens, Deathpact, and Getter B2B Space Laces. The 2026 edition keeps its focus on bass and dubstep across both days, with additional artists scheduled throughout the weekend.
From Coachella in California to Songkran festivals in Bangkok and multi-city events like Ultra Australia, April 2026 brings together a wide mix of electronic music festivals across different regions.
Visit our EDM Festival News section to stay updated on the latest announcements and lineup releases.
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Coachella QUASAR Stage Lineup 2026 announced for with extended 3-hour sets across both weekends.
The QUASAR Stage lineup has been officially announced for Coachella 2026, confirming a schedule of extended electronic music sets across both festival weekends. Weekend One will feature PAWSA, David Guetta, and Fatboy Slim, while Weekend Two brings Armin van Buuren x Adam Beyer, DJ Snake presenting Pardon My French, and Sara Landry with her Blood Oath concept. The QUASAR stage maintains its focus on long-form performances, with fewer artists per day and longer set times compared to Coachella’s main electronic stages.
Breaking Down the QUASAR Stage Lineup by Weekend
Weekend One of the QUASAR Stage at Coachella 2026 features PAWSA, David Guetta, and Fatboy Slim. PAWSA’s booking reflects the continued visibility of tech house within major festival settings, built through his work with Solid Grooves and consistent appearances across Europe and North America. David Guetta’s placement on QUASAR positions him outside of Coachella’s mainstage rotation, opening space for a set that can reference his early house roots alongside his later catalog. Fatboy Slim closes the weekend with one of the longest-standing legacies in electronic music, bringing a body of work that spans big beat, house, and UK rave culture, all of which suit an extended, uninterrupted performance setting.
Weekend Two focuses on collaborations and named concepts, beginning with Armin van Buuren b2b Adam Beyer, a pairing that reflects the increasing crossover between trance and techno artists on global festival lineups. DJ Snake follows with Pardon My French, a concept tied to his Paris-based collective and previous tour branding rather than a standard solo billing. The weekend concludes with Sara Landry presenting Blood Oath, continuing her recent run of concept-led performances that have become a defining part of her festival appearances over the past year.
A Look at Previous QUASAR Stage Bookings
Since its introduction in 2024, the QUASAR Stage at Coachella has been positioned as a space for established electronic artists presented outside of Coachella’s more traditional dance stages. The inaugural year featured bookings such as Anyma b2b Eric Prydz, Jamie xx, Honey Dijon, Green Velvet, and RÜFÜS DU SOL in DJ set form, setting a clear precedent for artists with extensive touring histories and recognisable catalogs. Rather than focusing on emerging acts, QUASAR’s early lineups leaned toward names already familiar to global festival audiences, using longer performance slots to accommodate artists whose music is typically built around progression and continuity.
That approach continued in 2025, with the stage hosting artists including Tiësto, Kaskade (Redux), Alesso b2b Gorgon City, and deadmau5 under his TESTPILOT alias. The inclusion of Redux sets, back-to-back performances, and alternate artist projects reinforced QUASAR’s role as a stage for recontextualising well-known artists rather than introducing new ones. Taken together, these bookings establish a consistent pattern that carries into the 2026 lineup, where recognisable names and concept-led appearances once again form the core of the QUASAR Stage across both weekends.
Why QUASAR Remains a Key Electronic Stage at Coachella
The QUASAR Stage has become a consistent fixture at Coachella by serving a specific role within the festival’s electronic music landscape. Rather than mirroring the high-turnover booking style of stages like Sahara, QUASAR has repeatedly been used for artists with established catalogs and long touring histories, including names such as Eric Prydz, Jamie xx, Honey Dijon, Tiësto, and Kaskade in previous editions. This positioning has allowed the stage to function as a space where electronic artists are presented with enough time to explore deeper selections and longer musical arcs, reinforcing QUASAR’s identity year after year.
With the 2026 lineup featuring PAWSA, David Guetta, Fatboy Slim, Armin van Buuren x Adam Beyer, DJ Snake, and Sara Landry, the stage continues along the same path rather than shifting direction. The use of back-to-back pairings and named concepts further highlights how QUASAR is programmed around recognisable artist identities instead of volume-driven scheduling. For attendees mapping out their weekend, the QUASAR Stage at Coachella 2026 remains one of the clearest places to find extended electronic sets anchored by well-known artists, making it a stage worth planning around when the full schedule drops.
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