How Much Do Artists Really Get Paid to Perform at Coachella?
Under the desert sun and between overpriced iced lattes and bass-heavy drops, Coachella 2025 returned to Indio with its signature blend of spectacle and social media frenzy. With wristbands practically welded to wrists and influencer outfits held together by double-sided tape and ambition, the music juggernaut once again drew over 80,000 fans per weekend. But beyond the flower crowns and celebrity sightings, the real intrigue often lies in the numbers—specifically, how much performers get paid to grace the stage.
And the answer? A lot more than you might think.
The Price of a Headline Spot
Despite being famously secretive about its payment structure, Coachella is known in the music industry as one of the most lucrative festivals for performers. While the festival organizers have never officially revealed artist payouts, reliable sources and insider commentary offer a solid idea of just how fat those checks are.
According to Dave Brooks, Billboard’s senior director of live music and touring, top-tier headliners can earn up to $5 million per weekend, bringing a two-weekend total to a whopping $10 million. Brooks shared this estimate on The Town with Matthew Belloni, a podcast focused on the inner workings of Hollywood and the entertainment biz.
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That figure isn't just a rumor—it’s been backed up by reports surrounding some of the biggest names in recent Coachella history.
Take The Weeknd, for instance. When he stepped in last-minute to replace Kanye West in 2022, Page Six reported that he demanded the same amount Ye was promised—$8.5 million. The Weeknd reportedly made it clear: no $8.5 million, no show. He got exactly what he asked for.
Similarly, Ariana Grande raked in $8 million for her headlining set in 2019, according to People magazine. Meanwhile, Beyoncé, whose 2018 performance is now considered a cultural landmark (and the subject of the Emmy-winning documentary Homecoming), is believed to have earned between $8 million and $12 million, depending on which industry source you ask.
Not Just the Big Names
Even acts that don’t headline are still making serious money. In 2017, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, and Radiohead were reported by The New Yorker to have each received $3 to $4 million for their performances. Radiohead had also headlined back in 2004, reportedly pulling in $1 million—a substantial fee for the time.
Some performances go down in history not just for their music but for their technical demands. Daft Punk’s now-legendary 2006 set is a case in point. Their futuristic pyramid stage design cost a fortune to execute—and the duo still walked away with a reported $600,000.
More recently, Bad Bunny, who headlined in 2023, earned a cool $5 million, according to the Trapital Podcast. His booking represented a strategic shift for Coachella toward Latin music and international headliners, reflecting how reggaeton and Latin trap are dominating global charts.
The Only One Who Actually Confirmed Her Fee
One of the few artists brave enough to go on record about her Coachella pay was Cardi B. In a 2018 SiriusXM interview, she openly stated that she made $70,000 per weekend. However, she also confessed that she spent $300,000 of her own money on staging and production. “I was getting paid $70,000 a day,” she said, “but I was spending like $300,000 on my stage set.”
Cardi’s admission highlights something many fans don’t see—Coachella sets are often an investment. Artists view the stage not just as a gig, but as a branding opportunity seen by millions online, streamed globally, and replayed for years to come.
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Coachella 2025: Another Year, Another Paycheck
This year’s lineup sticks with the festival’s usual blend of pop royalty and genre diversity. Lady Gaga returns to headline, joined by names like Post Malone, Green Day, and Travis Scott. Ed Sheeran is set to light up the Mojave Stage on Saturday, April 19, with other acts including Missy Elliott, Megan Thee Stallion, Charli XCX, Kraftwerk, Tyla, Japanese Breakfast, and Arca.
With most of these artists commanding six- to eight-figure fees, it's safe to say Coachella 2025’s payroll is as massive as ever.
Final Thoughts - A Hollow Event
Yes, Coachella dishes out some mind-bending paychecks. Top artists can make in a single weekend what most people won’t see in a lifetime. The performances are polished, the branding is elite, and the Instagram content? Immaculate.
But personally? I’m not really a fan.
Despite the glam and the headlines, Coachella feels like it’s lost its soul. There’s something hollow in the way it’s evolved—not into a celebration of music, but into a backdrop for rich kids to flex designer fits and curated aesthetics. The atmosphere seems synthetic, more about being seen than about truly feeling the music. It’s less of a festival and more of a photo op, and for all the millions flying around, that vibe just doesn't hit.
