How Coachella Became America’s Biggest Music Festival w/ Katie Bain episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 8, 2026 · 52 MIN

How Coachella Became America’s Biggest Music Festival w/ Katie Bain

from Billboard On The Record · host SickBird Productions

Coachella has become the biggest festival in America — and it rewrote the live music playbook in the process. Katie Bain, Billboard's senior music correspondent, director of Billboard Dance, joins Billboard On The Record to break down how a scrappy desert show founded by then-local promoter Goldenvoice turned into a global cultural force, from the early Pearl Jam experiment to era-defining performances by Beyoncé, Daft Punk and Frank Ocean. She dives into the high-stakes gamble of booking a lineup, the business behind ticketing, sponsorships and livestreams. Love what you hear? Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Billboard On The Record. Keep up with us on IG @billboardontherecord, TikTok @billboardontherecord and @wordsbykristin. To purchase a copy of 'Desert Dreams: The Music, Style and Allure of Coachella' by Katie Bain, click here. Billboard On The Record is a podcast in partnership with SickBird Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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How Coachella Became America’s Biggest Music Festival w/ Katie Bain

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