# Who is the best Coachella headliner of all time?

> From iconic pyramid stages to genre-defining spectacles, this list spans the artists who shaped Coachella into a cultural institution. Legends and trailblazers, classics and modern icons — who was the most unforgettable? Cast your vote!

*By YPB Team · Published April 21, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-coachella-headliner-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Beyoncé**
   Delivered the historic 2018 'Beychella' set, the first Black woman to headline Coachella, featuring a full marching band and career-spanning medley.
2. **Daft Punk**
   The French electronic duo's 2006 headlining set with the iconic glowing pyramid stage is widely credited with defining modern Coachella culture.
3. **Radiohead**
   The British art-rock band headlined in both 2004 and 2012, delivering intense, atmospheric sets consistently ranked among the greatest in festival history.
4. **Kanye West**
   His 2011 headline set featuring jaw-dropping stage production and a near-perfect setlist of hits is often cited as one of the most memorable in Coachella history.
5. **Jay-Z**
   Became the first solo rapper to headline Coachella in 2010, delivering a show-stopping set that included surprise guest appearances.
6. **Lady Gaga**
   Stepped in for a pregnant Beyoncé on short notice in 2017, turning a high-pressure situation into one of the most acclaimed headline shows in festival history.
7. **Dr. Dre**
   His 2012 headline set included a legendary Tupac hologram moment and a who's who of hip-hop guest appearances, making it one of the most talked-about performances ever.
8. **Eminem**
   The Detroit rapper brought raw energy and an exhaustive catalogue to the 2012 Coachella main stage, cementing his reputation as one of hip-hop's greatest live performers.
9. **Paul McCartney**
   The Beatles legend headlined in both 2009 and 2013, delivering career-spanning sets of timeless classics to generations of fans.
10. **Rage Against the Machine**
   Their 2007 reunion headline set after seven years apart was a politically explosive event; their 2022 return cemented their legacy as one of rock's most powerful live acts.
11. **Björk**
   The Icelandic avant-garde artist's 2007 headline set blended theatricality and electronic music in a visually stunning spectacle unlike any other Coachella performance.
12. **Outkast**
   The legendary Atlanta duo's 2014 Coachella headline marked their first reunion performance after years apart, drawing enormous crowds.
13. **Kendrick Lamar**
   A fixture at Coachella, Kendrick headlined in both 2017 and 2022, delivering politically charged and musically brilliant sets that elevated the festival's cultural prestige.
14. **Billie Eilish**
   Became the youngest solo headline act in Coachella history at just 17 years old in 2019; returned as a headliner again in 2025 to even greater acclaim.
15. **Bad Bunny**
   The Puerto Rican reggaeton star made history in 2022 as the first non-English-language headliner at Coachella, drawing one of the largest crowds in festival history.
16. **BLACKPINK**
   In 2023 the K-pop superstars became the first Korean act to headline Coachella, marking a landmark moment in the global spread of K-pop culture.
17. **The Weeknd**
   The Canadian R&B star headlined Coachella in 2024, delivering an electrifying set that cemented his reputation as one of music's greatest live performers.
18. **SZA**
   The acclaimed R&B singer-songwriter headlined Coachella 2025 to widespread critical praise, cementing her status as one of her generation's defining live performers.
19. **Madonna**
   The pop icon closed out Coachella 2026 Weekend 2 with a career-spanning spectacular, one of the most highly anticipated headline bookings in recent festival history.
20. **Coldplay**
   The British stadium rockers delivered a visually spectacular headline set at Coachella 2023, complete with wristband light shows and a setlist spanning their entire catalogue.

Tags: music, festivals, coachella, concerts, performances