Topline
The Coachella music festival typically attracts high-profile surprise guest performers every year, and some fans think Taylor Swift might hit the stage this year thanks to several of her friends and collaborators on the lineup and a monthlong break from her Eras Tour.
Key Facts
Several of Swift’s collaborators and friends are on the festival lineup: Friday headliner Lana Del Rey featured on Swift’s 2022 song “Snow on the Beach,” and they share a producer, Jack Antonoff, who is on the lineup with his band Bleachers.
Ice Spice, who joined Swift at several Eras Tour dates to perform their collaboration “Karma,” is also on the lineup, as is Sabrina Carpenter, who was the Eras Tour opening act for the Latin American leg.
Del Rey appeared to confirm that she would have special guests for her headlining set in a comment on an Instagram post from a fanpage, sparking hopes among fans that Swift could hit the stage.
Tabloids including the Daily Mail and Us Weekly claimed Swift and boyfriend Travis Kelce will attend Coachella because they want to see Del Rey, both citing anonymous sources, though neither mentioned a potential performance.
Swift is also set to drop her new album “The Tortured Poets Department” on April 19, the second weekend of the festival.
Who Else Could Make A Surprise Appearance?
Since Del Rey hinted at having guests join her on stage, fans have speculated whether the guests may include any of her former collaborators—like Father John Misty, who joined her for her 2023 song “Let the Light In,” or The Weeknd, a Coachella regular who has collaborated with Del Rey multiple times. Coachella Valley news outlet The Desert Sun predicted PinkPantheress could join Ice Spice to perform their hit “Boys a liar Pt. 2,” Kali Uchis could join collaborator Tyler, The Creator’s headlining set and Reneé Rapp could bring out Megan Thee Stallion for their collaboration “Not My Fault” after the pair performed their hit on Saturday Night Live in January.
Key Background
Artists on the Coachella lineup have long invited special guests to perform alongside them. At last year’s festival, many big names surprised fans by showing up unannounced. Metro Boomin brought out a slew of artists with him, including The Weeknd, Future, 21 Savage and John Legend. Billie Eilish joined Labrinth to perform their hit, “Never Felt So Alone,” Bad Bunny brought out Post Malone and Kali Uchis brought out Tyler, the Creator, Omar Apollo and Don Toliver. At the 2022 festival, Justin Bieber joined Daniel Caesar to perform their then-new single “Peaches,” Doja Cat brought out Tyga to perform their collaborations and both Lizzo and Shania Twain joined Harry Styles in separate weekends.
News Peg
This year’s Coachella festival kicks off on Friday, April 12 with headliner Lana Del Rey. Tyler, the Creator will headline the Saturday shows while Doja Cat will headline both Sundays. Other popular artists slated to perform include Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Sublime, J Balvin, Lil Yachty and DJ Snake.
Further Reading
Here’s How To Experience Coachella If You’re Not Actually Going To The Festival (Forbes)
Coachella 2024: Everything you need to know about the festival (Los Angeles Times)
Vampire Weekend Added to Coachella 2024 Lineup as Fest Drops Set Times (Rolling Stone)
