Latinx Files: Bad Bunny is just one of many Latin acts at Coachella

Editor’s note: Fidel is out this week, so columnist Suzy Exposito is filling in. Suzy, take it away!

Does Bad Bunny ever tire of making history? The global pop phenom and Puerto Rico’s leading Master of Ceremonies will claim the main stage for himself Friday night as the first Latin music act ever to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

(The first Latino ever to headline, however? That title belongs to Zack de la Rocha from Rage Against the Machine, which headlined the inaugural fest in 1999.)

This is not just another savvy business move for Benito — it’s an incredible get for Goldenvoice, the parent company of Coachella, which hasn’t booked a headliner this buzzy since Beyoncé’s historic “Homecoming” show in 2018. (Though a headlining set by K-pop girl group Blackpink, not to mention Frank Ocean’s prodigal return, will be nothing to sniff at!)

This comes in the same week that the Recording Industry Assn. of America announced that Latin music’s revenue in the U.S. hit a record high of $1.1 billion in 2022; Bad Bunny notably raked in $435.38 million solely from his World’s Hottest Tour last year, thus breaking the world record for the highest-grossing tour in a single year.

However, El Conejo’s upcoming performance is far from the only noteworthy Latin music artist to grace Coachella this year — which is why we’ve compiled a list of standout acts to watch during this year’s festivities. (Most set times and locations are still pending.)

Those who are either too grown, too frugal or too asthmatic to brave the desert in person can tune in via Coachella’s official YouTube channel. There, you can enjoy a number of livestreamed sets from the air-conditioned sanctuary of your own home. Invite your friends over, fire up the grill and make a party of it!

FRIDAY

Becky G. The much-beloved Inglewood native Becky G has come a long way from her block! Having already graced two Coachellas past as a guest feature — first with tribal stars 3BallMTY back in 2013, then again with Karol G in 2022 — it’s high time the Chicana pop star got her own dedicated spot at the festival. Expect a range of Latin pop fusions, from her reggaetón smash “Mamiii,” to the more down-home “Chanel,” her latest number with rising regional Mexican star Peso Pluma, who strongly hinted in his first-ever U.S. show Saturday at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif., that he might join her onstage (though his appearance is still unconfirmed).

Watch: Becky G & Peso Pluma’s music video for “Chanel”

DannyLux. This moody sierreño singer-songwriter was 7 years old when his father, a sanitation worker in the Coachella Valley, foraged his son’s first guitar from the trash; now 19, DannyLux opened for Coldplay on the the band’s most recent tour through Mexico, and scored his first No. 1 song with Eslabon Armado, titled “Jugaste Y Sufrí.” See the Palm Springs native shred at his first-ever hometown gig at the Sonora stage.

Watch: DannyLux’s music video for “No Te Quiero Perder”

Juliet Mendoza. Proudly repping her Salvadoran, Nicaraguan and Mexican heritage, this stellar Los Angeles house DJ — and founder of the women- and POC-first party series, Jackin Jills — will suffuse the Yuma tent with some much-needed tropical chill on Friday. Get into it.

Watch Juliet Mendoza’s hourlong Fault Radio DJ set

¿Téo? The Colombian American actor and pop-urbano singer ¿Téo?, whose real name is Mateo Arias, exudes sensuality in breathy Spanglish. He’s a favored collaborator of both Jaden and Willow Smith (who will also perform at the fest on Sunday), and is slated to open for Justin Bieber on his 2024 tour. ¿Téo? will regale Coachella-goers with songs from his forthcoming album, “Luna,” the companion to his ethereal 2021 LP, “Sol.”

Watch ¿Téo?’s music video for “Uno Dos (feat. Jaden Smith)”

SATURDAY

BRATTY. Sinaloa has famously produced a number of regional Mexican titans, including Chalino Sánchez, Ariel Camacho and Banda MS; it’s also the home of the country’s reigning garage-pop queen, Jenny Juárez, who releases sweet-and-sour punk songs under the moniker BRATTY. She’ll be teasing new sounds from her upcoming album, including a surf-pop single she released in March titled “Radio.”

Watch BRATTY’s music video for “Radio”

Eladio Carrión. On his new album, “3MEN2 KBRN,” the Puerto Rican rapper — and comedian, and competitive swimmer, apparently — invited American hip-hop stars such as Lil Wayne, Future, 50 Cent and Quavo to wade in the waters of Latin trap. Carrión’s also got a friend in Bad Bunny, with whom he recorded his latest single, the sensational “Coco Chanel.”

Watch Eladio Carrión music video for “Coco Chanel (feat. Bad Bunny)”

Rosalía. We know Rosalía is not Latina — hell, she knows she’s not Latina — but I guarantee some of our readers will be elbowing their way into the crowd to dance to “Despecha” and lipsmack to “Bizcochito.” In case you missed her epic “Motomami” run in the U.S., you can catch the Spanish pop avant-gardist and her stunning dance crew live on Saturday.

Watch Rosalía perform “Bizcochito” live from The Motomami World Tour at Radio City Music Hall

SUNDAY

Conexión Divina. Hailing from California, Arizona and Texas, this all-woman sierreña trio is here to say: Even cowgirls get the blues. Conexión Divina will hold court at the Sonora stage on Sunday, where they will perform a number of their earthy acoustic songs for the first time live from their debut album, “Tres Mundos,” which is out Friday on Sony Music Latin.

Watch Conexión Divina’s music video for “La Receta”

Kali Uchis. The weather forecast on Sunday for Indio: partly cloudy skies and sweltering desert heat. The astrological forecast, however? A romantic Pisces moon will link up with luscious Mars in Cancer to provide a passionate evening under the stars. The Grammy-winning chanteuse Kali Uchis, who will perform select cuts from her resplendent new album, “Red Moon in Venus,” couldn’t ask for a bigger blessing from the cosmos.

Watch Kali Uchis’ music video for “I Wish you Roses”

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs. They might be your dad’s favorite ska band, but they’re not just your dad’s favorite ska band. The Grammy-winning Argentines have boasted collaborations with Debbie Harry and Mick Jones from the Clash — and in 2017, they brought their raucous punk party stateside to Madison Square Garden. The last time I saw them live, I crashed a circle pit with a man in a chicken suit, befriended a luchador cosplayer … and narrowly dodged the wrath of said cosplayer’s jealous girlfriend. Los Fabulosos Cadillacs bring the fun for everyone!

Watch Los Fabulosos Cadillacs perform “Matador” live from the Theater at Madison Square Garden