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Coachella Artists of the Day: Feb. 17, 2026

  • 13 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

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 suddeny 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 his incorporation of his Latin identity, and using 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
Rating: ★★★★½

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

MËSTIZA

Origin: Madrid, Spain
Genre / Subgenres: Electronic / House, Afro house, Melodic techno


Why hasn't anyone thought to blend electronic music and flamenco together 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 webiste, "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
Rating: ★★★★

*Yuma lineup now available via Coachella's social media accounts
Ratings are on a 5-star scale

 
 
 

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