These Are The Most Expensive Coachella Performances Ever

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Coachella costs hundreds of millions each year to run. One report by Forbes estimated that it took $355 million to hold the festival in 2018, and the cost is likely even higher now with inflation. There are many aspects that factor into that price, from hiring security to renting the venue itself. But the performer fees also take up a lot of the budget.

Unfortunately, Coachella doesn’t reveal the exact price it pays its performers, and different artists have varying rates. It’s been reported that the lower down an artist is on the line-up, the lower their performance fee is. And, vice versa for those at the top – headliners make the most. Artists at the bottom of the lineup make an average of $10,000 for performing. And it increases incrementally with the performer’s popularity.

Although Coachella doesn’t reveal the numbers, some artists have shared how much they were paid And for others, there exist realistic estimates of just how much it costs to get them on Coachella’s stage. Here are some of the most expensive Coachella performances in history.

Cardi B - $140,000

Cardi B is one of the biggest female rappers in the world, but she didn’t have a six-figure paycheck when she took the Coachella stage in 2018. The singer reportedly made $140,000 in total – $70,000 per weekend.

Interestingly, the set for her performance cost even more than she was paid, as it took $300,000 to build.

Daft Punk – $600,000

Daft Punk may not have been a headliner, but Reddit sleuths suggest that the DJ made more than half a million when headlining the festival in 2006. Specifically, they made $600,000, though a lot of the money went into creating the stage set.

Radiohead - $1 Million

Some Reddit users claim that Radiohead made around $1 million for a single Coachella weekend nearly two decades ago in 2004. Considering inflation as well as how much the festival expanded, it’s easy to assume that Coachella headliners earn much more nowadays.

Eminem – $1 Million

Eminem was a headliner at Coachella in 2018 and even brought Dr. Dre on stage for a special cameo. It’s been reported he made $1 million for the performance, though it’s unclear if that was for a single weekend or the festival in total.

Lady Gaga – $3 Million to $4 Million

Lady Gaga blessed Coachella with her presence in 2017. One report says she likely made between $3 million to $4 million, but it’s not known if this is for one weekend or the whole festival.

Kendrick Lamar - $3 Million to $4 Million

Kendrick Lamar was a headliner the same year as Lady Gaga and it’s believed he also made the same as her for the performance.

Paul McCartney – $4 Million

Given the music legend that he is, it’s unsurprising that former Beatles member Paul McCartney got a whopping $4 million to play as a headliner for a single weekend at Coachella in 2009.

Prince – $5 Million

Another Reddit thread claims that Prince made $5 million for performing at a single Coachella weekend in 2008.

Ariana Grande – $8 Million

Ariana Grande made history in 2019 for being the youngest female to headline Coachella. Moreover, she was only the fourth woman to be named as a headliner. The pop star reportedly made a fortune for the two-weekend performance. She earned $4 million per weekend for a total of $8 million.

Of course, these numbers remain unconfirmed by Coachella organizers, though many outlets say the $8 million estimate is accurate.

Beyonce – $8 Million - $12 Million

It’s never been officially confirmed how much Beyonce made for her 2018 Coachella performances, but it was likely one of the most expensive performances the festival has ever held.

Originally, reports says that Beyonce was paid $4 million for her performance, but what was misunderstood is that she got a $4 million paycheck for each weekend. That means she made at least $8 million in total.

But some sources think her pay could’ve been even higher. For instance, Billboard predicts she earned anywhere between $8 million to $12 million.

If one thing is for sure, it’s that Beyonce’s appearance became a culturally significant performance. She went on to release a Netflix special called Homecoming detailing the great lengths she went to prepare for the performance, which was an extra challenge as the singer had just given birth to twins when she started rehearsing.

“I’m creating my own homecoming,” she said in the Netflix special, referencing her postpartum experience. “There were days that I thought I’d never be the same. My strength and endurance would never be the same.”

There’s a lot of time and effort that goes into preparing for a Coachella performance, not just in terms of the performer rehearsing, but also creating the set and special effects, all of which explains why headliners get paid so much.

Sources: Billboard, Harper’s Bazaar, Low End Theory Club, Just Jared, Vulture