Travis Scott will return to Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2025 as headliner and curator, marking his first appearance in eight years. The festival runs April 11-13 and April 18-20, featuring Scott’s “Cactus Jack desert takeover.”
According to his Nov. 20 announcement, Scott plans to create an immersive experience called “Travis Scott Designs The Desert.” He’ll perform Saturday nights both weekends, debuting new music during his sets.
The star-studded lineup includes fellow headliners Post Malone, Green Day and Lady Gaga, alongside Missy Elliott, Ty Dolla $ign, Mustard, Three 6 Mafia and Megan Thee Stallion.
Scott’s return follows previous setbacks – his 2020 headlining slot was canceled due to COVID-19, and he was removed from the 2022 lineup following the Astroworld Festival tragedy. An online petition garnered over 70,000 signatures opposing his performance.
Fans anticipate his comeback, sparked by mysterious billboards along I-10 in Palm Springs teasing his album “UTOPIA” with messages like “Psst…Looking for UTOPIA? WRONG WAY!” featuring the Cactus Jack logo.
Beyond Coachella, Scott expands his reach into wrestling entertainment, scheduled to appear on WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” Netflix debut Jan 2025. At ComplexCon, Triple H presented Scott with the “Hardcore Champion” title belt, highlighting his growing cross-industry influence.
The festival promises to showcase Scott’s artistic evolution while offering fans an innovative concert experience. His curation role suggests significant creative control over the event’s atmosphere and presentation.
Industry analysts note this headlining spot represents a major milestone in Scott’s career recovery, potentially setting new standards for artist involvement in festival production and design.
The combination of established headliners with emerging artists reflects Coachella’s continued commitment to diverse musical programming while embracing Scott’s vision for reimagining the festival experience.
Music industry veterans praise the festival’s decision to give Scott creative control, noting his previous successes in event production and merchandise design. His Astroworld Tour set new standards for concert experiences with its carnival atmosphere and interactive elements.
Festival organizers anticipate record attendance, citing unprecedented early interest in ticket pre-sales. Scott’s dedicated fanbase, combined with the diverse lineup, suggests strong demand across multiple demographics.
Security measures will be enhanced for the 2025 festival, with organizers implementing new crowd management protocols and safety features. These improvements reflect lessons learned from previous large-scale events.
Local businesses in the Coachella Valley expect significant economic impact from Scott’s curator role, as his creative vision may extend beyond the festival grounds to include community engagement initiatives.
The announcement has already influenced the festival circuit, with other major events exploring similar artist-curator models. Industry experts suggest this could reshape how music festivals approach creative direction and artist involvement.
