Electronic music is no longer just a side stage act—it’s now at the forefront of one of the world’s biggest music festivals.
According to a new data report from music industry analytics platform ROSTR, published by Kevin Durant’s Boardroom media outlet, electronic dance music (EDM) artists make up a staggering 39% of the Coachella 2025 lineup. That’s nearly double the representation of the next largest genre cluster—indie, rock, and alternative—which collectively account for just 21% of this year’s acts.
A Shift in Sound at the Empire Polo Club
This seismic shift marks a pivotal moment in Coachella’s evolution. Historically dominated by pop, rock, and hip-hop, the iconic Indio, California festival—organized by Goldenvoice—is now putting serious weight behind the electronic scene.
Artists like Zedd, Above & Beyond, Sara Landry, The Prodigy, and breakout stars from EDM.com’s Class of 2025 including Beltran and Layton Giordani, are helping reshape the festival’s soundscape. Despite the absence of EDM artists in this year’s headline slots—which went to Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott—the genre’s presence across all stages has never been stronger.
Interestingly, Gaga brought out French techno legend Gesaffelstein during her performance, hinting at EDM’s growing influence across even the most mainstream sets.
Quasar vs. Do LaB: A New Raving Rivalry
The dance music momentum at Coachella has been building since 2024, when Goldenvoice introduced the Quasar stage—a purpose-built rave zone that’s now rivaling the legendary Do LaB as the top destination for electronic enthusiasts at the festival.
This year’s turf battle between Quasar’s high-tech experience and Do LaB’s immersive art-meets-music playground further cements EDM’s deepening roots at Coachella.
The Rise of Big Production with Better Music
Industry experts suggest this EDM explosion isn’t a fluke. Alex Becket of CAA, one of the leading booking agencies in the world, predicted this trend back in 2024. As the first electronic music agent at CAA, Becket witnessed firsthand the pendulum swing from raw underground raves to massive productions with elevated sound design and storytelling.
“Big production was a key factor in the original EDM boom of the early 2010s,” Becket told EDM.com. “Now, we’re seeing that same level of spectacle paired with much better music. It’s a winning combo.”
This blend of underground energy and arena-level production has allowed even more niche electronic artists to rise and thrive on the biggest festival stages.
Other Genre Highlights at Coachella 2025
While EDM stole the show in terms of representation, other genres held strong:
- Indie/Alternative/Rock acts saw a 4% increase from last year, with legacy bands like The Misfits and Green Day joining contemporary names like beabadoobee, Still Woozy, and Sam Fender.
- Hip-Hop maintained a solid presence with a 2% growth, featuring heavyweights like Travis Scott, Missy Elliott, T-Pain, Megan Thee Stallion, Ty Dolla $ign, and Mustard.
Looking Ahead: Will EDM Take Over the Main Stage?
Only time will tell whether dance music will finally claim a headlining spot at Coachella again—something that hasn’t happened since Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris made waves nearly a decade ago. However, with the genre’s current momentum and global influence, the main stage might soon be glowing in neon once again.