Coachella is back this year with another massive lineup including Rage Against The Machine, Frank Ocean, Thom Yorke, Depeche Mode, Flume, Fatboy Slim, and many other amazing acts across a vast array of genres and set over two weekends. With such a lengthy lineup, hard decisions will have to be be made, so let us help you out. Here are 5 must-see DJs at Coachella 2020, with the hope that our advice helps make your weekend schedule a little easier!
Credit: Deadcode Production
ANNA became a huge hit in 2016, in large part thanks to her first EP released on Tiga’s Twin Turbo label followed by a wide touring schedule which ultimately included her SoCal gigs for INCOGNITO and Nocturnal Wonderland. Awarded Best Breakthrough Artist at the Ibiza DJ Awards that year, she’s been highly sought after ever since.
The Barcelona-based DJ/producer was 14 when she started DJing, having grown up at her dad’s popular nightclub in Brazil where she began to soak up the club life at an early age. She eventually moved to São Paolo to become fully immersed in the underground dance music scene there and, as they say, the rest is history.
Known for her bewitching sets at venues the likes of Warung and D-Edge, to playing Awakenings, Tomorrowland, Time Warp and Movement Detroit, ANNA continues to garner respect around the world for her fiery performances.
She’s released on critical labels like Novamute, Kompakt, Turbo Recordings, and Domino. Her Hidden Beauties release on Kompakt’s Speicher series in 2018 was #1 on Beatport’s techno charts for several months, followed by another heavy-hitting EP on Speicher series titled Remembrance – a nostalgic, peak-time track played everywhere from Awakenings to Panorama Bar. She ended that year with an impactful remix of Jon Hokpin’s Singularity. 2019 included a Drumcode EP, an impeccable BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, and a unique pairing with electro-clash pioneer, Miss Kittin on an anthemic single dubbed ‘the techno track of the year’.
Whether producing for major labels, remixing top artists, or wowing audiences internationally, ANNA is always a huge hit, making her one of our 5 must-see DJs at Coachella 2020.
Credit: Pedro Francisco
Also playing Coachella for the first time is Ellen Allien, one of the most prolific DJs in the techno world. She recently released her eighth full-length album, runs two record labels, tours regularly around the world, hosts in-store record shop gigs under the ‘Vinylism’ brand, and even throws a bi-monthly party in her beloved hometown. This artist is a true techno pioneer, having played an integral role in the foundation of what the Berlin music scene is like today.
The Berlin DJ and producer started her UFO Inc. label a couple years ago, while her BPitch imprint has been around since 1999 and has seen releases from killer artists like Boston 168, Lewis Fautzi, Moderat, Modeselektor, and Ben Klock.
More often than not, you can expect to see a busy gig schedule for this seasoned veteran with residencies at Circoloco in Ibiza and Nitsa in Barcelona plus frequent bookings at renowned venues like Fabric London and Shelter Amsterdam.
With releases on prominent labels like Spectral Sound (Detroit) and Watergate Records (Berlin) including remixes for names like Depeche Mode and Paul Kalkbrenner, Ellen Allien continues to show off her technical prowess as she keeps dance floors captivated time after time.
For the food lovers out there, it’s worth noting that Ellen was actually featured in the Berlin episode of Anthony Bourdain’s Part Unknown series, as a staple figure in Berlin’s underground.
If you love spacey, peak-time techno, then you’d be crazy not to catch an out-of-this-world set by the amazingly talented Ellen Allien, an easy choice for our 5 must-see DJs at Coachella 2020.
Chris Liebing via Chris Liebing IG
Another Coachella first-timer, Chris Liebing has been busy either DJing, producing, or both over two decades and has had a big impact on the techno scene over several decades, from starting his own imprint to having three full-length albums to playing hundreds of gigs internationally. A defining figure in the early ‘90s dance scene in Frankfurt, Germany, his first residency was in 1991 at the Red Brick Club in Giessen .
Known for his personal brand of atmospheric yet raucous techno, Chris has always gravitated towards the deeper end of music, having worked closely with the likes of Speedy J. This DJ has a long resume, including releases on Mute Records, Ovum Recordings, Rekids, Electric Deluxe, and Sleaze Records, and the creation of CLR – a label featuring releases by Marco Carola, Adam Beyer, Speedy J, DJ Rush, and Ben Sims, just to name a few.
The idea for the name CLR came from the title of his first LP which he subsequently also used as the title of his own podcast – a series made up of his own mixes as well as guest mixes by serious talents like Drumcell, Tommy Four Seven, and even Martin Gore of Depeche Mode.
Chris Liebing is an extraordinary techno artist who’s spent the better part of twenty years working hard in the studio and making dance floors go crazy with his signature spectral sounds. If you want to witness a bit of techno history, you should absolutely catch Chris at the Yuma tent.
The popular and beloved American DJ duo, The Martinez Brothers, return to Coachella to bring their infectious whirlwind of disco, house, and tech house to the desert dance floor.
These brothers from the Bronx were raised on a steady diet of disco and house from their father and his love of The Paradise Garage – one of New York’s most legendary clubs. At 15 and 17, the two hit the road as touring DJs and have been booked at major venues and festivals across the globe ever since. They’re adept at whipping the crowd into a frenzy no matter whey they go with their brand of wild and rebellious beats.
The Martinez Brothers run the Cuttin’ Headz music label as well as Tuskegee with Seth Troxler and have released numerous heaters from their first EP in 2006 to their hugely successful remix of Green Velvet’s ‘Bigger Than Prince’ in 2013. They’ve regularly done mixes for Fabric’s series and even released a compilation album called Space Jam.
This past year saw production collaborations with the likes of Louie Vega, Jamie Jones, and Tiga in addition to several other singles released, remixes of their recent Turbo Recordings EP by Ricardo Villalobos and Virgil Abloh, and also remix projects for Andrea Oliva and Rudimental.
If you like snappy drum rhythms, heavy hi-hats, and a rowdy good time, then The Martinez Brothers will hit the spot for you this spring at Coachella.
Credit: Igor Ribnik
Another well-seasoned veteran in the house/techno scene, Paco Osuna has had a successful career as a DJ as well as a producer. The Spanish sensation’s been animating dance floors all over the world with his vivacious sets. Known for his blend of Latin-inspired drum grooves and driving bass lines, Paco Osuna expertly keeps his audiences absorbed in the music.
Starting his own label in 2006, Mindshake features productions by reputable artists such as Cuartero, Carlo Lio, Nick Curly, Alexi Delano, and Victor Calderone. That same year, he founded Club4 in Barcelona with Marco Carola, Adam Beyer, and Christian Smith. The party has since evolved into one of the best techno spots in the city.
He’s released on label giants like Plus8, Minus, Mood, Spectral, Rejected, and many others. His remix projects include Plastikman, Nicole Moudaber, Matador, Marc Houle and has even collaborated on acid house tracks with DJ Pierre and Phuture.
Over the years, Paco has worked with many of the house and techno heavyweights as well as played at countless clubs and festivals. If you enjoy an energetic blend of house and techno, then you’ll love grooving to the playful stylings of Paco Osuna bringing yet another debut dance music performance to the Coachella valley, rounding off our 5 must-see DJs at Coachella 2020.
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is an annual, all-ages, 3-day event that takes places at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA across back-to-back weekends in April. The event is organized by Goldenvoice of AEG. In addition to the seven main music stages, there are live art installations all over the grounds, numerous food/beverage vendors, and other entertainment. The festival includes camping grounds for those that wish to stay on site overnight.
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