Coachella Artists of the Day: Mar. 4, 2026

French Police

Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA 🇺🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Rock / Post-punk, Darkwave, Coldwave

French Police makes the kind of music that would fit the era of Stranger Things, and I mean that in a good way. I actually thought they were a band from the '80s I had completely missed, but as it turns out, they're a fairly new band from Chicago that's just really good at creating retro sounds from scratch. On top of the old-school drum machines and basslines that do the heavy lifting of the melodies, their entire aesthetic is moody and nocturnal. As if listening to them when the sun is out is a crime (maybe that's why they're policemen and have multiple songs about vampires). The trio is also not French and sings some of their songs completely in Spanish, which gives them an edge that other post-punk bands don't have.

Performing: Friday

Stage Confirmation: Sonora*

For Fans of: Twin Tribes, HOFFEN, Wisteria

Key Tracks: Club De Vampiros / En la Noche / Hidalgo

Live Set: Live at Trees 2025 (Dallas, Texas, USA)

Rating: ★★★½

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DRAIN

Origin: Santa Cruz, California, USA 🇺🇸

Genre / Subgenres: Rock / Hardcore punk, Crossover thrash, Metalcore

One look at the members of DRAIN and you'd probably think, "Those guys look like they're from Santa Cruz," and you'd be absolutely correct. The NorCal band may not specifically be shredding waves, but they sure as hell shred guitars, and they do it unrelentingly. There's no competition; DRAIN makes the most raucous and rowdy music out of any of the acts on this year's lineup, and I enjoy it. It must be the Californian in me, but the surf-soaked aesthetic mixed with punk ferocity and thrash-metal swagger works so well together—fair warning: they're going to turn the Sonora tent into an MMA octagon.

Performing: Sunday

Stage Confirmation: Sonora*

For Fans of: Gulch, Power Trip, Terror

Key Tracks: California Cursed / Who's Having Fun? / Watch You Burn

Live Set: FYA Fest 2026 (Orlando, Florida, USA)

Rating: ★★★★½

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

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Ratings are on a 5-star scale