This is Kelly Rodriguez reporting live from her bedroom and this is your 2022 festival season forecast.

Ok formalities aside: Weekend 1 of Coachella officially kicks off festival season and as much as I love the idea of a music festival, it is simply not possible for me to go to any at this time. Do y’all know how expensive it is to go to just one? The ticket is often reasonable enough for the amount of acts you see but flights, food, Uber/Lyft rides, accommodations? It adds up reallll fast.

HOWEVER, for those of you that are considering going to Coachella weekend 2, Governors Ball, Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza, This Ain’t No Picnic, or Primavera Sound LA: you might be considering which acts to explore outside the headliners. (Why did I call out those festivals when there’s literally thousands more around the world? Idk, I really want to go to those.)

Since I’m not financially in a place to put some down payments for music festivals, I want to help guide your musical exploration with some artists you might see on your festival lineup but may not be sure about checking out. Consider me your gal to read the finer print of these lineup posters and give you my suggestions of who I would see if I was in your place.

Highlights

The Marias

Performing at: Coachella, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza

Ugh you have no idea how badly I want to see The Marias. Ever since they released their dreamy debut album Cinema last year, I’ve been trying to see them. I know they’re touring with Halsey this summer too so I might try to go to that LA show. If you like the music of Norah Jones, Sade, Tame Impala, or Radiohead — you should see The Marias because those are some of their influences.

Caroline Polachek

Performing at: Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, This Ain’t No Picnic

I had been dying to see Caroline Polachek perform ever since I fell in love with her ethereal voice last year. I went to Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia Tour in LA and was happily surprised to remember that she was opening for her. I want to see her perform again. I don’t know how else to say this but she commands the stage like a graceful gazelle. And her voice?! Even more ethereal than the recordings. If you like the music of Enya, Faith Hill, or SOPHIE — you should see Caroline because those are some of her influences.

The Regrettes

Performing at: Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza

Ok I have been obsessed with The Regrettes since 2019. I was hoping to do a New Music Crush on them back in early 2020 but you know, ✨pandemic depression✨ said how about no. Their newest album Further Joy has been on repeat lately for the way it’s been hitting me in the feels. I want nothing more than to lose myself in the crowd at a Regrettes show. If you like the music of Bikini Kill, The Ronettes, or Hole — you should see The Regrettes because those are some of their influences.

ROLE MODEL

Performing at: Coachella, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza

If you miss when The Neighbourhood did songs like “Afraid” and “Sweater Weather” or even just the era of 2013 Tumblr music, then you gotta hop on the ROLE MODEL train. As soon as I heard his songs join my Spotify daily mixes, I was immediately taken back to that music but with a Gen Z twist. If you like the music of The Neighbourhood, Mac Miller, or Omar Apollo — you should see ROLE MODEL because he’s got similar vibes.

Baby Tate

Performing at: Coachella, Outside Lands, Lollapalooza

I first heard of Baby Tate when one of the artists I found on TikTok, Precious, collaborated with her on their absolute bop “Go Girl”. Her song “I Am” with Flo Milli ended up going viral on TikTok and she’s been killing it ever since. I really want to see her live because I feel like I’d get to dance like I wanted to at Megan Thee Stallion’s set at Austin City Limits last year. If you like the music of Doja Cat, Chloë, or Megan Thee Stallion — you should definitely check out Baby Tate because she’s got similar vibes.

Which non-headliner artist are you most excited to see during festival season?