Coachella 2022 Adds Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd as Headliners Replacing Kanye West

After speculation and rumors circulating that Kanye West (Ye) would no longer be playing at Coachella 2022, this week it was made official. Following Kanye West pulling out of the Coachella earlier this week amid a spate of personal issues, Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd have been added to fill his place. Leaving festival organizers Goldenvoice less than two weeks to find a replacement, fans and attendees could not be happier with the change. While he was booked for April 17 and April 24, it was also rumored that previous headliner Travis Scott was going to reportedly join the rapper.

It remains unclear exactly why Kanye West has pulled out of the show so last minute, although his decision could have to do with various instances where he publicly demanded Saturday headliner, and recent Academy Award & GRAMMY Award-winning Billie Eilish to apologize to Travis Scott. Whatever the case might be, music lovers are rejoicing at the highly-anticipated Coachella return of SHM, as well as that they’re being joined by The Weeknd.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has found its replacement for former headliner Kanye West: Swedish House Mafia and Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, organizers revealed Wednesday in a tweet from the event’s official Twitter account.

The EDM supergroup and the Pop/R&B superstar star will collaborate for the Sunday shifts at the desert festival on April 17 and April 24, taking the stage after the event’s other headliners, Harry Styles and Billie Eilish. Swedish House Mafia was originally set to perform on Friday, but will instead join their “Moth To A Flame” & “Sacrifice” collaborator as a co-headliner for the Sunday shows.

“I’m so looking forward to this moment with Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd finishing out the Sunday night slot this year. Coachella has a special relationship with Abel and I’m so thankful to have this upcoming performance with these iconic artists all on the same stage.” – Paul Tollett (Coachella Festival CEO)

Last January it was announced that the Swedish House Mafia will perform at the Coachella Festival – but not as a headliner. However, the tide has now turned for the Swedes. Nine years after their only appearance, they will replace Kanye West as the closing act. The DJs will be accompanied by The Weeknd. There is no question that the artists harmonize wonderfully together. After all, they have already produced tracks like “Sacrifice” or “How Do I Make You Love Me” together.

Other top-billed acts this year include Harry Styles, Lil Baby, Lane 8, Peggy Gou, Madeon, Baby Keem, Black Coffee, who just won Best Electronic/Dance Album of the year at the GRAMMYs for Subconsciously, Louis The Child, The Martinez Brothers, Bishop Briggs, Purple Disco Machine, Dom Dolla, John Summit, and more, take to the Empire Polo Club stages on Friday.

The Saturday lineup features Flume, Megan Thee Stallion, Disclosure, 21 Savage, Anitta, Caribou, Hot Chip, Tchami, Chelsea Cutler, Chris Liebing, Whipped Cream, Richie Hawtin, among others join headliner Billie Eilish on Saturday. While Sunday brings not only Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd, but Doja Cat, Joji, Jamie xx, Run the Jewels, Fatboy Slim, SLANDER, FINNEAS, Fred again…, Duck Sauce, Duke Dumont, The Blessed Madonna, Channel Tres, Hayden James, Luttrell, and many more are also on the bill.

Returning after the 2020 and 2021 editions were canceled amid the pandemic, Coachella takes over the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., for two weekends, April 15-17 and April 22-24. Check this space for more information and to watch Couchella, the notorious Coachella live stream.