Damon Albarn of Blur and Ian Brown of The Stone Roses. —Photo (File) Reuters
Damon Albarn of Blur and Ian Brown of The Stone Roses. —Photo (File) Reuters

British rockers Blur and The Stone Roses will be joining French indie-rock band Phoenix and Red Hot Chili Peppers to headline this year's three-day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, organizers said on Thursday.

The annual music festival, set for two consecutive weekends in April, has become one of the largest U.S. music festivals, attracting more than 80,000 people to the desert town of Indio, California.

After featuring electronic music DJs such as Tiesto, Swedish House Mafia, Afrojack and David Guetta among the top-billed acts last year, this year's Coachella sees the music festival return to its rock roots.

The festival will take place on the weekends of April 12-14 and 19-21, with the same line-up both weekends.

Blur and The Stone Roses, who recently reunited after a long hiatus, will headline Friday. Phoenix, which has a new album coming out this spring, will take Saturday's primetime spot.

Singer Anthony Kiedis (R) and bassist Michael Peter Balzary, aka Flea, of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. —Photo (File) AFP
Singer Anthony Kiedis (R) and bassist Michael Peter Balzary, aka Flea, of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. —Photo (File) AFP

Los Angeles rockers Red Hot Chili Peppers, who previously headlined the festival in 2003 and 2007, will close out the festival in the Sunday headlining slot.

Other anticipated names on the line-up this year include hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, Icelandic indie band Sigur Ros, Grammy nominees The Lumineers and electro-rock music group The Postal Service.

Previous years have seen acts such as Prince, Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys, Madonna, Muse, Pixies, Jay-Z and Kanye West take the headlining slots.

Last year, hip hop veterans Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre grabbed headlines as they resurrected late rapper Tupac via hologram on stage for the closing night of the festival.

Ticket prices start at $349 and they will go on sale on January 29 at 10 a.m. PST (1800 GMT). This year, organizers said there will be no layaway option for those wishing to pay for their tickets in installments.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...