Twenty-six years ago this month, on Oct. 9-10, 1999, the first ever Coachella came to life at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Featuring headliners Beck, Morrissey, The Chemical Brothers, Rage Against the Machine and Tool, the event was the debut iteration of the festival that would in the following years become a global touchpoint of music, fashion and culture.

Desert Dreams: The Music, Style and Allure of Coachella, a new book by Billboard senior music correspondent Katie Bain, explores the history and influence of Coachella, looking at how an event with origins with the SoCal punk rock scene became a global phenomenon and barometer for each year’s musical stars and trends. The book is out Tuesday (Oct. 21) via Epic Ink. (Here’s how you can order it.)

Related

Coachella 2026: Sabr

See Full Page