2001 Coachella Headliners and Day-by-Day Schedule
The 2001 Coachella lineup established the festival as a premier U.S. indie and alternative destination. Held over two days at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, headliners included Beck, Tool, and Rage Against the Machine on the main stage. This profile outlines the complete schedule, stages, and key performances that defined the event. Below is a concise overview of the weekend, followed by a detailed breakdown of each day, setlist highlights, and stage assignments.
Festival Overview and Key Details
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2001 emphasized eclectic rock, indie, and emerging electronic acts. Organizers prioritized diverse genres, blending mainstream acts with underground favorites. The layout featured multiple stages, enabling simultaneous performances and minimizing overlap. Capacity and crowd management reflected the festival’s growth since its 1999 inception. Vendors and art installations complemented the music, creating a destination-style experience that became a model for future festivals.
Highlights at a Glance
- Dates: April 20–21, 2001
- Location: Empire Polo Club, Indio, California
- Headliners: Beck (Saturday), Tool and Rage Against the Machine (Sunday)
- Notable early sets: The Strokes (then The Adults), Jurassic 5, Ozomatli
- Stages: Center, Outdoor, and several smaller stages for electronic and local acts
Saturday, April 21 — Headlined by Beck
Beck’s headlining slot drew a large crowd, leveraging his broad alternative appeal. Setlist mixing folk, rock, and electronic elements showcased his genre fluidity. The Outdoor stage accommodated sizable audiences with strong production. Support acts spanning indie rock to hip-hop helped maintain energy across the day. Early afternoon saw rising acts that would soon gain national recognition, setting the tone for experimental yet accessible programming.
Saturday Setlist Highlights
- Beck: "Loser," "The New Pollution," "E-Pro," covers and improvisation
- Support highlights: The Strokes, Jurassic 5, Ozomatli
- Notable appearances: The Megas (video), local art collective installations
Sunday, April 22 — Double Main Stage Headliners
Sunday balanced hard rock and alternative with Tool and Rage Against the Machine sharing the main stage in the afternoon and evening. Tool’s progressive metal drew dedicated fans, while Rage Against the Machine’s politically charged catalog energized the crowd. Production scale increased for evening sets, with lighting and sound designed for large outdoor audiences. Earlier programming on the Center stage maintained momentum, featuring eclectic indie and world music acts.
Sunday Highlights and Stage Use
- Rage Against the Machine: "Bulls on Parade," "Killing in the Name," "Testify"
- Tool: "Sober," "Hooker with a Penis," "Ænema"
- Stage rotation: Center, Outdoor, and smaller stages for electronic and local acts
Stages and Technical Production
The 2001 festival utilized the Center stage as the primary music venue, with the Outdoor stage serving secondary headline acts and afternoon performances. Sound and lighting systems were expanded from previous years to support larger acts and higher fidelity. Crew coordination focused on minimizing downtime between sets and managing sound bleed across adjacent stages. Local and regional vendors provided food and art, integrating community presence with festival operations.
2001 Coachella Lineup Table
| Date | Stage | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 20 | Center | Beck | Headliner |
| April 20 | Outdoor | Tool | Headliner |
| April 20 | Outdoor | Rage Against the Machine | Headliner |
| April 20 | Center | The Strokes | Early set, notable breakout |
| April 21 | Center | Jurassic 5 | Underground hip-hop highlight |
| April 21 | Outdoor | Ozomatli | High-energy local act |
Legacy and Historical Context
The 2001 lineup reinforced Coachella’s reputation for curating diverse, artist-forward experiences. Beck’s accessible headlining reflected the festival’s openness to alternative styles. Tool and Rage Against the Machine signaled a willingness to book legacy acts alongside emerging names. The inclusion of acts like The Strokes and Jurassic 5 foreshadowed trends in indie rock and hip-hop that would dominate mainstream music in subsequent years. This edition helped establish the template for future festivals, balancing star power with discovery.
Common Questions
Patrons often ask about differences between weekend schedules and how the stage rotations worked. Ticket holders attended either day, with weekend passes granting access to all performances. Setlist variations were minimal between repeats, with late afternoon and evening slots reserved for headliners. Local guides often highlighted the Center stage as the must-see venue for first-time attendees.
Conclusion
The 2001 Coachella lineup remains a foundational moment in the festival’s history, blending iconic headliners with breakthrough indie acts. The balance of mainstream and underground sets the standard for future editions, and many performers who played in 2001 went on to define the sound of a generation. For attendees and historians alike, this year encapsulates the early promise of Coachella as both a musical and cultural milestone.