Nigerian superstar Davido has been confirmed as part of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2026 lineup, marking his long-awaited debut at the world-renowned festival.
The Afrobeats hitmaker will perform on both Saturdays of the two-weekend event, April 11 and April 18, in Indio, California.
Organizers unveiled the official lineup this week, with Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G announced as headliners. Other major names include The Strokes, Young Thug, FKA twigs, David Byrne, Major Lazer, BIGBANG, Teddy Swims, and PinkPantheress. The festival, which runs April 10–12 and April 17–19, 2026, is expected to attract over 125,000 fans each day.
Davido is the only Nigerian artist featured in this year’s lineup, confirming his status as one of Afrobeats’ most prominent global ambassadors. His inclusion alongside pop heavyweights illustrates the genre’s solidified place in international music.
Coachella, founded in 1999, has grown into one of the most influential music festivals worldwide. Held annually at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, the event has become a barometer for global music trends. Initially launched as a two-day gathering, it expanded to three days in 2007 and in 2012 adopted its current two-weekend format, presenting the same lineup across consecutive weekends.
Over the past two decades, Coachella has hosted career-defining performances from Beyoncé, Prince, Radiohead, Daft Punk, and Billie Eilish. It is as much a cultural spectacle as a concert, with fashion, art installations, and live-streamed sets drawing a global audience.
African artists have increasingly secured slots at Coachella in recent years. South Africa’s Tyla, Ghana’s Amaarae, Nigeria’s Rema, and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 have all performed at the festival, alongside acts such as Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa), Mdou Moctar (Niger), and DJ Amémé (Benin).
Davido, born David Adeleke, has built a career that bridges Lagos and the global stage. Breaking out in 2011 with “Dami Duro,” he went on to score international recognition with hits like “Fall,” “If,” and “FIA.” His 2023 album Timeless solidified his place as one of Afrobeats’ leading figures, earning chart placements and driving sold-out tours across North America and Europe.
He has collaborated with global stars including Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, and Young Thug, while maintaining a strong fan base in Africa. His high-energy performances and crossover appeal make him a strategic addition to a lineup that prizes both diversity and spectacle.
By securing Davido for two prime Saturday sets, Coachella organizers are tapping into the global demand for Afrobeats and emphasizing confidence in his ability to attract both African diaspora fans and mainstream festivalgoers.
As is customary with Coachella, surprise guests remain a possibility. Given Davido’s network of collaborators, fans will be watching closely for potential appearances by U.S. or African artists.