Picking someone up in a mosh pit after they take a tumble is a common courtesy, even if it’s at a festival where Lady Gaga is headlining.
“Some of the nicest people you’ll come across at this festival are in this tent right here,” said Jayson Santiago of Sacramento. “On the outside, I know people might look at it as crazy or violent, but there’s order and rules that aren’t found in other live music shows.”
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The tent that Santiago is referring to is the Sonora tent, which, over the past several years at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts festival has invited punk rock acts from the Chats to more hardcore ones like Knocked Loose to make up the undercard at a festival typically stacked with EDM, indie and pop acts leading the bill.
“There is definitely a place for it here, even if you’re just looking at this crowd,” said Daniel Lee, who came out to watch Speed’s set during weekend one of the festival. “The internet has really changed what used to be underground and made music like hardcore more accessible than it was before. I used to go to hardcore shows in basements or backyards, but now it’s at Coachella.”
Just ahead of weekend two, we take a look at some of the raw, energetic, and rebellious acts that have made their way to Coachella 2025. If you can’t make it to the festival for weekend two, check out where you can live stream these acts from home here.
Soft Play
The U.K. duo, made up of Isaac Holman (lead vocals, drums) and Laurie Vincent (backing vocals, guitar, and bass), was one of the most entertaining acts at Coachella this year. Despite their tattooed, rough-around-the-edges look, they’re actually quite silly.
They cracked jokes with one another and goofed off in a way that showcased the chemistry shared by the two, paired with some of the most ferocious music at the fest. One of the funnier bits over the weekend was their performance of “John Wick.” They raved about how the franchise is the best of action cinema ever made and shared that they wrote it from the perspective of Keanu Reeves playing the character. Ahead of their weekend two performances, they made a plea with Reeves, who plays the fictional character, to come out on stage with them.
“We’d love for you to hear it, and it would be a dream come true if you would come and play bass on it with us at Coachella—much love. Isaac (age 33) and Laurie (age 32) xx,” the duo wrote on Instagram.
Although they have that rebellious and aggressive element, they don’t consider Soft Play to be punk rock.
“Hardcore is a scene, but punk rock is more of an overused label and is more about being your authentic self, and in that regard, Sheryl Crow can be more punk rock than punk rock,” Vincent said in an interview at the festival. “If you’re being authentic to yourself, then that is a good intention, but as soon as the term has any criteria, we’re not interested. We never intended to be a punk band; that’s just what people call us. We are our own thing, and we’re interested in music that is authentically itself, whether it’s heavy or soft.”
Bob Vylan
Another U.K. duo who performed at the Sonora tent just a few hours earlier than Soft Play was Bob Vylan. The vocalist, who goes by Bob Vylan, and drummer Bobbie Vylan lean into an unapologetic anti-fascist attitude that punk rock has often embraced, particularly the U.K. groups who were a part of the Rock Against Racism movement in the ’70s. The group performed with a sign that read “Bob Vylan Killed Punk Rock,” an open embrace of some of the criticism the group has received for writing about their Black identity and experiences in the U.K. In their lyrics, they call out racism in Europe, including in the song “We Live Here,” where the frontman sings about the localized history of racism from the fascist groups of Britain First, the racially motivated 1993 murder of 18-year old Stephen Lawrence, and the first time he was called a racial slur on his childhood playground. Punk rock has often been used to push back as a tool of rebellion, and Bob Vylan channels it with power.
Amyl and the Sniffers
While there are several women-led acts at the festival, none of them have the grit and stage presence of Amyl and the Sniffers. The Australian group led by Amy Taylor delivers loud, fast, and politically charged music that feels reminiscent of the raw energy of Iggy Pop with the bigger-than-life personality and wit of Dolly Parton. During the group’s performance on Sunday, April 13, Taylor jumped around and ran around the stage, letting the energy of the music channel through her. There was also a moment where the frontwoman extended her heart to the people of Palestine and Ukraine.
“This is my third time seeing them live,” said Lauren Bucannon of Florida, “I saw them once in Europe with a friend and they just blew me away, so it was cool to have another chance to watch them again and Amy kickass on stage. She’s so fun to watch.”
Speed
This year’s sole hardcore act also comes from Australia and proudly represents Sydney. Although Australia’s hardcore scene isn’t large, Speed found their community during the COVID-19 pandemic’s isolation period. They uploaded their song, “We See U,” and went viral, getting nods from fans around the world, including Travis Barker. The group manages to strip down its sound to heavy chord progressions and scathing vocals, often resulting in stage diving, mosh pits, and hardcore dancing that can quickly get rowdy. During the first weekend of Coachella, frontman Jem Siow expressed his gratitude and amazement at landing a spot at the festival.
“I grew up as a hardcore kid two-stepping in my bedroom and only playing in Sydney for our friends and family, we’re here playing on the big stage and it’s crazy,” Siow said. “Because of this thing we call hardcore, I’ve made my best friends in the whole world. Hardcore to me is about my family, living in the moment, and making memories.”
Viagra Boys
While most punk groups have fun with their lyrics, nobody has a better time than Swedish punk rockers Viagra Boys. They have a satirical approach to punk rock and poke fun at hypermasculinity in a way that can’t help but bring a smile to your face when you see them live. Whether it’s the repeated lyric “Sports” in one of their more comedic songs or lead singer Sebastian Murphy shaking his hips and stripping down to his boxers on stage, the group is the epitome of a punk rock caricaturization while still maintaining a sound with attitude. When you’re looking to be a self-indulgent punker, turn up Viagra Boys and crack a beer.