Coachella: Kanye Replaced By The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia Just 10 Days Before Festival (2024)

Coachella: Kanye Replaced By The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia Just 10 Days Before Festival (1)

The Coachella Music and Arts Festival announced today that Kanye West would be replaced as a headliner at next week’s event by The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia. This year’s Coachella runs April 15th-17th & 22nd-24th.

The Weeknd is a known quantity for festival organizers. He topped the bill in 2018.

Swedish House Mafia was already included in the 2022 lineup in an unusual position on its iconic handbill. The group’s moniker was bolded as headliners often are, but set at the bottom preceded by the words “Returning to the Desert.” There has been speculation that the band’s unusual positioning was meant to provide a backup should West renege.

Photos: Coachella Headliners Through The Years, From Beck to Beyoncé to Kanye

West threatened to pull out of this year’s fest earlier in February after demanding fellow headliner Billie Eilish apologize to Travis Scott for what West says was a diss to Scott.

That beef started when Eilish stopped a show in Atlanta to ask her crew to get an inhaler to a fan who was having breathing problems in front of the stage. She said at the time, “I wait for people to be OK before I keep going,” which some perceived to be a diss to Scott after 10 people died at his Astroworld festival in Houston in November. She did not issue an apology to Scott. “Literally never said a thing about Travis. Was just helping a fan,” she said in response to the criticism.

West, who headlined in 2011, reportedly also balked headlining the 2020 festival — which ultimately was postponed due to the pandemic — just days before his participation was to be announced, sources confirmed to Variety.

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As a seasoned music festival enthusiast and expert, I have closely followed the Coachella Music and Arts Festival over the years, keeping a keen eye on its lineup changes, controversies, and the intricate dynamics of headlining artists. My in-depth knowledge of the festival scene allows me to provide valuable insights into the recent developments announced by Coachella organizers.

Firstly, the replacement of Kanye West as a headliner with The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia is a strategic move that reflects the festival's adaptability to unforeseen circ*mstances. The Weeknd, a familiar face to Coachella organizers, previously topped the bill in 2018, showcasing his prowess as a captivating performer.

Swedish House Mafia's inclusion in the 2022 lineup, with a distinct mention as "Returning to the Desert" in bold, suggests a carefully orchestrated backup plan in case Kanye West backed out. This positioning on the iconic handbill indicates a forward-thinking approach by the festival organizers to ensure a seamless transition in the event of any unforeseen challenges.

The article sheds light on the backstory involving Kanye West's threat to withdraw from the festival earlier in February. West's demand for an apology from fellow headliner Billie Eilish added a layer of drama to the festival narrative. Eilish's refusal to apologize for what West perceived as a diss to Travis Scott further fueled tensions. The dispute originated from Eilish's actions during a show in Atlanta, where she paused to provide an inhaler to a fan experiencing breathing problems, a move interpreted by some as a subtle jab at Scott following the tragic events at his Astroworld festival in Houston.

This article also touches upon Kanye West's history with Coachella, citing his reported reluctance to headline the 2020 festival, which was ultimately postponed due to the pandemic. West's previous participation in 2011 and his consistent role as a headline figure add a layer of complexity to the festival's relationship with the artist.

In summary, the Coachella Music and Arts Festival's decision to replace Kanye West with The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia demonstrates the organizers' strategic planning and adaptability. The article provides a glimpse into the festival's history, the dynamics between headlining artists, and the behind-the-scenes drama that often accompanies high-profile music events.

Coachella: Kanye Replaced By The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia Just 10 Days Before Festival (2024)

FAQs

Coachella: Kanye Replaced By The Weeknd, Swedish House Mafia Just 10 Days Before Festival? ›

The Coachella Music and Arts Festival announced today that Kanye West would be replaced as a headliner at next week's event by The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia. This year's Coachella runs April 15th-17th & 22nd-24th. The Weeknd is a known quantity for festival organizers.

Why did Kanye get replaced at Coachella? ›

West, now known as Ye, pulled out of the festival earlier this week amid a spate of personal issues and left organizers less than two weeks to find another headliner. He was booked for April 17 and April 24.

Who did the weekend replace Coachella? ›

Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd will officially replace Kanye West as headliners at the 2022 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Major outlets, including Entertainment Tonight, reported last week that West would no longer be performing.

What did The Weeknd do at Coachella? ›

The Weeknd performed six songs during Metro Boomin's closing set in the Sahara tent at Coachella, including “Double Fantasy” from The Idol Vol. 1. It's the first time he's performed the track, which he previously teased in an Instagram video in which he watches an orchestra perform the intro in a recording studio.

Did Kanye get kicked out of Coachella? ›

Kanye West has dropped out of the Coachella music festival just over one week before it opens, TMZ and Variety reported on Monday.

Was Kanye supposed to perform at Coachella? ›

Kanye West has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at the Coachella festival, a source confirms to Variety. Reps for West and the festival did not immediately respond to requests for comment; West had been scheduled to play the closing night of the two-weekend festival, which runs April 15-17 and April 22-24.

Who closed Coachella? ›

INDIO, Calif. (CNS) — Skrillex, Four Tet and Fred Again will close out the last weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Sunday evening, following a performance from Blink-182, replacing Frank Ocean who dropped his headlining spot due to a leg injury.

Who will replace Kanye? ›

Only one day after the rapper backed out of his performance, the music festival revealed Tuesday that his replacement on April 17 and 24 will be The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia. The music festival announced the news on social media by sharing a brand-new festival lineup poster with the new headliners included.

When did Coachella become two weekends? ›

Coachella was expanded to a third day in 2007 and eventually a second weekend in 2012; it is now held on consecutive three-day weekends in April, with the same lineup each weekend.

Who did Billie Eilish replace at Coachella? ›

Billie Eilish To Replace Travis Scott as Coachella Headliner.

How much does The Weeknd get paid for Coachella? ›

The Weeknd: $8.5 million

The Weeknd received $8.5 million for replacing Kanye West when he dropped out of Coachella 2022. According to Page Six, The Weeknd demanded the same amount that Kanye would've gotten.

How many times has Weeknd performed at Coachella? ›

Canadian born Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd, kicked off his Friday headlining set in the same fashion as last week — side screens dark so all attention was on him — hitting the crowd with “Pray for Me.” The Weeknd has performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival three times.

Who has cancelled Coachella? ›

Following his performance last week, Frank Ocean has pulled out of his scheduled headlining set at Coachella 2023 this Sunday, April 23. Apparently on a doctor's advice, Ocean will not perform due to two fractures and a sprain in his left leg.

Is Taylor Swift at Coachella? ›

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Coachella. Though Swift and Kelce are no strangers to Coachella, their appearance at the 2024 music festival marked their Coachella debut as a couple.

Has a Coachella headliner ever cancelled? ›

Charisma Madarang. A rep for Frank Ocean tells Rolling Stone that the singer has canceled his scheduled performance during the second weekend of Coachella — a week after his first performance left many fans baffled and disappointed.

Who replaced Kanye? ›

On Wednesday, The Weeknd announced that he will replace Kanye West during Coachella Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, April 17th and 24th. News of Kanye West bailing on Coachella has been confirmed.

Who headlined Coachella in 2006? ›

The 2006 event featured headliners Depeche Mode and Tool. Two of the most popular performances were Madonna, who played in an overflowing dance tent, and Daft Punk, whose show featuring a pyramid-shaped stage is cited as one of the most memorable performances in Coachella history.

Did Kanye perform at Rolling Loud? ›

Kanye West onstage Thursday night at the Rolling Loud California festival in Inglewood. Whatever Kanye West was paid to headline the first night of this weekend's Rolling Loud California festival, it was easy money.

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