20 Must-See Acts At Coachella That Aren't Headliners

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Beyoncé, Eminem, and The Weeknd are headlining the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival this year. But if you're not a huge fan of Queen Bey and the others, don't fret – there are plenty more great acts to see further down the line-up. We've gathered 20 must-see acts at Coachella that aren't the huge names at the top of the poster, so break out your extra-strength reading glasses as we make our way down towards the smaller names at the bottom.

Here are 20 must-see acts at Coachella that aren't headliners (sorted alphabetically):

1. Alvvays

The Canadian indie pop band caught my attention with their first self-titled album that came out in 2014. My favorite track, that also seemed to get stuck in my head for years to come, is Archie, Marry Me. Since then, they've released Antisocialites in 2017.

2. Big Thief

The American indie rock group with folky twang have roots in New York. Their first album Masterpiece was released in 2016 on Saddle Creek Records. Although I saw them at last year's FYF Fest, there were some audio complications at the beginning of their set so I'll be making a return visit to their stage at Coachella.

3. Black Coffee

First heard on NPR while driving, I pulled over to ask Siri who was playing, because it's just that good. The dancey tribal beats and soft vocals are the works of South African record producer and DJ Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, better known by his stage name Black Coffee.

4. Cherry Glazerr

This rock band is based in Los Angeles and has been quite transformative since their first release Haxel Princess in 2014. The once lo-fi garage rock sound has become more polished as the band progresses. Their sophomore album Apocalipstick was released last year, the lead single from that album is below:

5. Declan McKenna

Declan McKenna, a 19-year-old Brit, was named BBC Music's "Introducing Artist of the Year" for 2017 – an award received by the likes of Florence + the Machine and Ed Sheeran. He was featured on NPR First Listen, as well as a playlist called "Elton John: Loves" made by none other than the music legend Elton John himself.

McKenna was discovered after winning the Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition in 2015, and has since performed at Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals.

6. Elohim

This dance electronic beauty is based in Los Angeles and is a one-woman show. She plays all the parts: singer, songwriter, musician, and producer.

7. EPROM

EPROM, from Portland, Oregon, is the kind of mania that's almost addictive. His album METAHUMAN is no different – otherwordly noises make for some great beats to dance to. Since I couldn't pick just one, here's the entire album:

8. Japanese Breakfast

You may recognize Michelle Zauner as a member of Little Big League, but she has a solo project called Japanese Breakfast, who released Psychopomp in 2016 and Soft Sounds from Another Planet in 2017.

9. John Maus

Take a trip back to the 80s at John Maus's set. The close friend of Ariel Pink is a musician, singer, songwriter, and composer who is frequently compared to 1980s synth-pop thanks to his heavy reliance on old synthesizer sounds and Old World church modes.

10. King Krule

The robust voice of King Krule doesn't match his lanky body and bright orange hair. Archy Ivan Marshall, the magic behind King Krule, is an English singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer and musician who performs under many different names. His music blends elements of jazz, punk, hip hop and dark sounds to create a truly unique listening experience.

11. Mild High Club

Mild High Club is a psychedelic pop group from the Los Angeles area that'll make you want to just chill out. The group's light and woozy, sometimes almost lazy sound makes for the perfect soundtrack to a warm summer afternoon.

12. Motor City Drum Ensemble

Motor City Drum Ensemble is surprisingly just one producer and DJ Danilo Plessow from Germany. His music blends soul, funk, and disco sounds to create something truly special.

13. Noname

Chicago-born Fatimah Warner blends poetry and rap to create a soulful R&B style with a hip-hop style. She found a wider audience after her appearance on friend and fellow Chicagoan Chance the Rapper's Acid Rap mixtape in 2013.

14. Post Malone

Post Malone might as well be a headliner, but since he's not, we'll include him on this list. His hit single "White Iversion" came out in 2015, and his album Stoney features Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Quavo, and 2 Chainz.

15. Princess Nokia

Destiny Frasqueri is the bad girl you wish you were. The rapper has a unique, confrontational style and has released Butterfly (2014), Honeysuckle (2015) and 1992 (2016) independently.

16. Sigrid

Norwegian singer/songwriter signed her first major-label deal at only 20 years old. Her catchy pop music and dreamy music videos make for a cooler-than-cool combo.

17. Snail Mail

Snail Mail is the American indie rock solo project of Lindsey Jordan, a guitarist and singer/songwriter. Jordan began classical guitar training at age 5, and her guitar-heavy music shows she never lost touch with that part of her. At just 18 years old, Jordan has already released her debut EP Habit, graduated high school, and opened for Girlpool and Waxahatchee. She's also participated in a round-table discussion for the New York Times about women in punk.

18. Soulwax

Soulwax is a Belgian rock and electronic band of brothers Stephen and David Dewaele, along with bassist Stefaan Van Leuven and drummer Piet Dierickx. Their debut album Leaving the Story Untold was released in 1996, and they've been refining their sound ever since.

19. The Black Madonna

The Black Madonna, Marea Stamper's stage name, plays disco and techno sounds that will make you dance. She has some of the best momentum I've ever seen in a DJ – keeping the crowd going for six hours or more. Her debut release Alright This Morning came out in 2016 on Home Taping Is Killing Music, but some of her best work is on her 2013 EP, Lady of Sorrows.

20. Yaeji

Yaeji is Kathy Yaeji Lee, a 24-year-old dance producer from South Korea, who now splits her time between Seoul and New York. Her voice is unmistakable – between hushed whispers, she switches between English and Korean fluidly. Her 2017 self-titled debut album caught the attention of Pitchfork, Fader, Boiler Room, NPR, and more.

If you like what you heard, here's a playlist below with the top 20 artists we've rounded up:

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Collage photo: background by Renee Fernandez, photo of Declan McKenna by Sophie Green, photo of Sigrid courtesy of Sigrid