Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar, two of the biggest names in modern music, have reportedly turned down offers to headline Coachella 2025. According to Bloomberg, these sought-after artists were approached by Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett, who co-founded the iconic Indio festival. Tollett has been working to secure major acts for next year’s event since the 2024 edition concluded in April.
This search comes during a challenging period for the festival, which has faced difficulties in recent years. The pandemic forced a shutdown, and more recently, Coachella has struggled with ticket sales. In fact, ticket sales for the 2024 edition were the slowest in the past decade. Tollett’s goal for 2025 is to attract bigger names to revive interest and ensure that sales pick up once again.
Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna were top of the list for potential headliners. Lamar, having graced the Coachella stage in 2012 and 2017, has continued to dominate the music scene. His recent public feuds with other top-tier artists, like Drake, have kept him firmly in the spotlight. Meanwhile, Rihanna’s status as one of the most successful pop icons of the last two decades, combined with the anticipation surrounding her long-awaited ninth album, dubbed R9, made her a prime candidate to draw in crowds.
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However, both artists reportedly declined the offers for 2025. Although neither Lamar nor Rihanna has publicly disclosed their reasons for passing on the opportunity, it is speculated that Lamar may be too busy to consider a festival slot. He is slated to headline the 2025 NFL Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans and is rumored to have a major stadium tour planned for later in the year.
Rihanna, on the other hand, has shifted her focus in recent years. Following the birth of her second child and the growth of her business ventures, she hasn’t embarked on a traditional tour in a long time. She has, however, made sporadic high-profile appearances, such as her 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance and a stunning Oscar performance of “Lift Me Up.” Despite rumors of a possible world tour in 2024 or 2025, nothing concrete has materialized.
With six months remaining before Coachella 2025, the festival organizers have yet to confirm any headliners. This year’s Coachella lineup included headliners Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator, and Doja Cat, alongside a diverse mix of artists like Ice Spice, J Balvin, Blur, and Lil Uzi Vert. While the 2024 edition experienced sound issues during performances from artists like Lana Del Rey and Grimes, the energy of the EDM sets helped maintain some excitement within the festival.
As Coachella prepares for 2025, the pressure is on to secure headline acts that can reignite the festival’s prestige. With Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar reportedly off the table, organizers are still searching for the perfect artists to bring the event back to its former glory.
