Coachella Artists of the Day: Feb. 17, 2026

54 Ultra

Origin: New Jersey, USA 🇺🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Rock / Indie rock, Latin soul, Soft disco

Discovering 54 Ultra is like digging up a time capsule from the 1970s, except all the contents inside were from last year. 54 Ultra, aka Johnny Rodriguez, envelops modern songwriting inside retro aesthetics, and suddenly his stage name makes sense. "54" refers to the legendary New York City disco club, Studio 54, and "Ultra" comes from one of his favorite albums, Frank Ocean's nostalgia,ULTRA.

He's so good at perfecting the '70s vibe that you'd think that his tracks were forgotten, obscure singles from back in the day, when in reality, they're all brand new for a new generation to enjoy. What makes him stand out is the incorporation of his Latin identity and the use of bilingual lyrics in his music, positioning him as a part of a new wave of trendsetting, retro indie-soul artists.

Performing: Saturday

Stage Confirmation: Sonora*

For Fans of: Mayer Hawthorne, Thee Sacred Souls, Kali Uchis

Key Tracks: Heaven Knows / Upside Down / No Tengo Valor

Live Set: Elevator Music 2025 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Rating: ★★★★½

*Sonora lineup now available via Coachella's social media accounts

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MËSTIZA

Origin: Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Electronic / House, Afro house, Melodic techno

Why hasn't anyone thought to blend electronic music and flamenco sooner? Either way, I'm glad MËSTIZA did, and that they do it perfectly. Pitty Bernad and Belah joined forces to conceive a project that's more than just DJing. According to their website, "their innovative artistry celebrates their Spanish heritage while championing female empowerment, creating a vibrant fusion of music, fashion, and cultural storytelling." All of that passion can be felt and seen in every deep, percussive build-up and rhythmic, euphoric peak in their live sets. It's a full-blown sensory experience, almost ceremonial, and I'm here to worship.

Performing: Sunday

Stage Confirmation: Yuma*

For Fans of: Sllash & Doppe, Aaron Sevilla, Pauza

Key Tracks: Mis Ojos (w/ Chambao) / Aserejé (Remix)(w/ Las Ketchup) / Reina La Alegría

Live Set: AZIMUTH Festival 2025 (AlUla, Saudi Arabia)

Rating: ★★★★

*Yuma lineup now available via Coachella's social media accounts

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Ratings are on a 5-star scale