Coachella Artists of the Day: Mar. 12, 2026

Devo

Origin: Akron, Ohio, USA 🇺🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Rock / New wave, Synth pop, Art rock

No matter what age you are, you've heard Devo's most famous song ("Whip It") a handful of times, probably against your will, but you've got to admit that it slaps and it's catchy as hell. That song came out 46 years ago, its music video became a staple in the early days of MTV when the channel was new and strictly played music videos.

Devo is best known for their conceptual take on the rock genre and society's "de-evolution." Their ideas and visuals became as famous as their industrial uniforms and red "Energy Dome" hats, which are key to their identity and something only they pull off. Though their music seems bright and fun, don't be fooled; their pop hooks are simply a Trojan horse for critique. Their sound is often mechanical, jerky, and repetitive, but it works in favor of the irony and parody within the lyrical content. Layering deadpan vocals on top of that is what makes Devo peculiar in the best way you can imagine.

Performing: Friday

Stage Prediction: Mojave

For Fans of: Talking Heads, Oingo Boingo, The B-52s'

Key Tracks: Whip It / Uncontrollable Urge / Working in the Coal Mine

Live Set: NPR Tiny Desk 2024 (Washington, D.C., USA)

Rating: ★★★½

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Sexyy Red

Origin: St. Louis, Missouri, USA 🇺🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Rap / Trap, Dirty rap, Southern & Midwest street rap

Arguably one of the most breakout rappers of the past few years, Sexyy Red came out guns blazing and made it known that she's not just the flavor of the week, month, or year. She has TikTok to thank for her meteoric rise, where her generation took catchphrases from the filthy "Pound Town" and turned her track into a meme, but she's having the last laugh.

If you're looking for conscious rap or any lyrical substance, then you've come to the wrong place. If you want to shake some ass and feel some bass that'll rattle the shit out of your car's sound system, then you can stay. Blunt and controversial, Sexyy Red is unapologetic, and she shows no sign of toning it down any time soon. The way she delivers lines is actually laughable, too. It's more like plain speaking rather than a typical, structured rhyme scheme, but she thrives on stuff like that. Red leans into the humor, shock value, and catchphrases, making for one meme-able live set.

Performing: Friday

Stage Prediction: Coachella Stage

For Fans of: GloRilla, City Girls, Stunna Girl

Key Tracks: Hang Wit a Bad Bitch (w/ Key Glock) / SkeeYee / Get It Sexyy

Live Set: Camp Flog Gnaw 2024 (Los Angeles, California, USA)

Rating: ★★½

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Ratings are on a 5-star scale