One common misconception about Coachella Music Festival is that fans rely on the headliners to make or break the lineup. You’ve heard by now that the 2023 headliners are Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean. Regular festival attendees know that the Coachella undercard artists will consistently deliver and be full of surprises. If you’re attending the festival or streaming Couchella, you’ll want to know about these indie and pop undercard gems of Coachella 2023.
Coachella 2023 Undercard: Alternative/Indie Picks
// Alex G // Alternative/Indie
FOR FANS OF: Turnover, Big Thief, Elliott Smith, The Martinis
Alex G is a solo indie rock artist repping the east coast and Philadelphia, PA. As a DIY singer-songwriter and producer, Alex G recorded his first EIGHT albums in-home. His most recent album, God Save the Animals, brought him to the forefront of the indie rock music scene in 2022. One stream of “Runner” or “No Bitterness,” and you’ll see what the hype is all about.
// The Breeders // Alternative rock
FOR FANS OF: Pixies, Nirvana, DEHD, Courtney Barnett
The Breeders are a band formed in 1989 by former singer and bassist of PIXIES (!!), Kim Deal. The Breeders bring the nostalgic 90s grunge rock back to the Coachella Valley in 2023. Kim Deal holds down one of the legacy acts of Coachella 2023 alongside iconic Blondie. For a blast from the past, if you’re over 30, start with “Cannonball.” The Breeders released All Nerve, their fifth studio album, in 2018. Recommended tracks include “Wait in the Car” and “Spacewoman.”
// boygenius // Alternative/Indie
FOR FANS OF: Conor Oberst, Angel Olsen, Big Thief, Clairo
The best-kept-secret supergroup, boygenius, will leave everyone misty-eyed as they take the stage for a Saturday evening Coachella serenade. For those that don’t know, boygenius is the indie rock group formed by Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, and Lucy Dacus. Many music fans will recognize the cover of their self-titled EP released in 2018. While the three iconic women have gone on to release chart-topping solo albums, boygenius announced the release of their debut album on March 31st! Three new songs are currently available from the upcoming album, the record.
// Ethel Cain // Alternative/Indie
FOR FANS OF: Maggie Rogers, Caroline Polacheck, Lana Del Rey, Fiona Apple, Paula Cole
If you have yet to hear Ethel Cain’s debut album, Preacher’s Daughter (2022), don’t let it slip under your radar any longer. Cain’s sultry voice, similar to Lana Del Rey, will lead you through this masterful memoir of 13 tracks, some culminating as long as nine minutes of pure Americana storytelling. Start with the emotive single “American Teenager,” and you’ll recall Paula Cole in “I Don’t Want to Wait” and Maggie Rogers in “That’s Where I Am.” Coachella or not, download this album and add her to your list of artists to watch.
// MUNA // Alternative/Indie
FOR FANS OF: HAIM, The Chicks, King Princess, Rina Sawayama, The 1975
Hot off of their third studio album, trio MUNA is a top group to see on the Polo Grounds. MUNA’s stage presence will instantly draw you in and make you their “Number One Fan” after a few indie pop dance anthems (i.e., “Number One Fan,” “Solid,” and “No Idea”). For fans of a more twangy ballad-type song, check out “Good News (Ya-Ya Song),” “Taken,” or “Kind of Girl.” Fans are secretly hoping for an extra appearance by Phoebe Bridgers Coachella weekend for “Silk Chiffon.”
// The Murder Capital // Alternative/Post-punk
FOR FANS OF: Yard Act, Fontaines D.C., Black Country, New Road, Shame
Dublin-native five-piece, The Murder Capital, came to the scene in 2018 with the hit single “More or Less,” followed by their debut album, When I Have Fears. If you’re looking for the band to follow in the likes of Yard Act or Shame from previous Coachella lineups, The Murder Capital seals this spot for the post-punk scene. DORK magazine recently featured the band as a cover story ahead of their sophomore release, Gigi’s Recovery, out this Friday, January 20th. See “Return My Head” and “Only Good Things” for a quick introduction to their music.
// Snail Mail // Alternative/Indie
FOR FANS OF: Soccer Mommy, Clairo, Julien Baker, Mitski, Trespassers Williams
Solo female indie rock artist, Snail Mail, returns for her second Coachella in 2023. Releasing her sophomore album, Valentine, in 2021 brought her front and center to many audiophile turntables. Some quintessential tracks from her career include “Thinning,” “The 2nd Most Beautiful Girl In The World,” “Pristine,” “Speaking Terms,” “Valentine,” and “Light Blue.”
// Wet Leg // Indie rock
FOR FANS OF: The Ting Tings, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tegan and Sara, Wolf Alice
One of the most shared albums of 2022 leads Wet Leg to a perfect spot for a major festival performance. The British indie rock pair may have the most viral and instant stardom debut record of 2022. “Chaise Longue” and “Wet Dream” rose to the top of the charts and accompanied many an Instagram Reel and TikTok this past year. For further desert vibe listening, press play on “Too Late Now” and “Angelica.”
Coachella 2023 Undercard: Pop Picks
// Angèle // Pop
FOR FANS OF: Louane, Roméo Elvis, Dua Lipa, Stromae, Charli XCX, Coeur de Pirate
Coachella’s 2023 lineup is more global than ever, and fans are pleased to see Belgian-French-speaking pop queen Angèle just below the top of this year’s lineup. Angèle is known for her catchy breakout single “Tout oublier,” featuring her rap artist brother, Roméo Elvis. She even broke Stromae’s record for the most weeks at the top of the Belgian singles charts. Angèle also took a political stance with her statement song, “Balance ton quoi,” about the #metoo movement in France (#balancetonporc). The pop singer released her second studio album, Nonante-Cinq, in 2021. Add “Bruxelles je t’aime” and “Libre” to your Coachella pump-up playlist.
// Cannons // Indie pop
FOR FANS OF: DRAMA, Oh Wonder, Litany, Dua Lipa, The Knocks
L.A. three-piece indie pop band Cannons makes scenic dream pop tunes to soundtrack your Coachella 2023 weekend. The band’s most recent album, Fever Dream, is full of breezy highs like “Hurricane” and “Come Alive.” For a more downtempo track, be on the lookout for “Lightning” to hit the Polo Grounds at golden hour. Furthermore, the 2019 single “Fire for You” is a sweet summer earworm to add to any vacation-type playlist.
// Christine and the Queens // Pop
FOR FANS OF: Stromae, HAIM, Years & Years, David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Kate Bush
Christine and the Queens is back for his third Coachella performance. For those that don’t know, Christine and the Queens is a solo French singer and songwriter who got their big break from the massive hit “Tilted” (English) or “Christine” (French) in 2015. Since his debut album, Chaleur humaine, the pop artist has released Chris (2018) and, most recently, Redcar les adorables étoiles (2022). Chris blends English and French lyrics with pop influences of both cultures in standout tracks “People I’ve Been Sad,” “Doesn’t Matter,” and “rien dire.” The innovative artist also sings on tracks with Charli XCX and 070 Shake, which may call for special guest performances in the desert.
// Sasha Alex Sloan // Pop
FOR FANS OF: Julia Michaels, FLETCHER, Chelsea Cutler, Nina Nesbitt, Lauv
Sasha Alex Sloan, aka sadgirlsloan, has a reputation for writing sad songs about personal anecdotes in her life. From growing up as an Only Child (2020 debut album) to struggling with an eating disorder and anxiety, Sasha pens beautifully written and highly relatable tracks. “Lie” is an empathetic breakup song with a pop backtrack, while “Is It Just Me?” is a compilation of wildly accurate unpopular opinions. Sasha’s sophomore album, I Blame The World (2022), continues the cynical songwriting with the title track preaching, “Can’t see the silver in the lines, can’t make the best of a bad time.” Other noteworthy songs to add are “New Normal” and her ever-popular encore track, “Dancing With Your Ghost.”
// TV Girl // Pop
FOR FANS OF: SALES, Wallows, Polo & Pan, Jordana
The L.A.-based pop trio, TV Girl, has recently gotten more social media attention, primarily due to the TikTok craze. Single “Not Allowed” from their 2016 album, Who Really Cares, has brought the band to the forefront of the teen-charged app. However, our interest is not in TikTok but their indie pop style on the 2014 French Exit album. “Lovers Rock” and “Birds Don’t Sing” are whimsical throwbacks to a time of a more simple creator-consumer culture.
Check out these indie and pop artists, plus many more, on our multi-genre Coachella 2023 Undercard playlists below.
