Machine Gun Kelly Says He Was ‘Banned’ From Coachella

More than 100 artists and tens of thousands of music fans will flock to Coachella Valley this weekend, but there’s one person who definitely won’t be there: Machine Gun Kelly.

Just hours ahead of the 2024 festival’s kick-off on Friday (April 12), the rapper-rocker claimed on X that he he’s never been to Coachella because “they banned me in 2012 for whatever reason.”

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The “My Ex’s Best Friend” singer, who is dad to 14-year-old Casie, added, “I was looking forward to finally going this year but my daughter’s volleyball tournament ended up on the same days so y’all will have to lmk how it is, she comes first.”

The post comes more than a decade after MGK, born Colson Baker, tweeted, “Coachella is a huge joke,” one week after 2012’s festival wrapped. “Its corporate as f— and they only accept the accepted but fake like they dont,” he added at the time. “Sad that music is so trendy now.”

Billboard has reached out to Coachella for comment.

This year, Baker will miss out on a lineup led by headliners Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, The Creator. The two-weekend event will also feature a No Doubt reunion as well as performances from Peso Pluma, Lil Uzi Vert, Justice, Bizarrap, Sabrina Carpenter, Blur, Ice Spice, Sublime, Bleachers, Grimes, Jon Batiste, J Balvin, Jhené Aiko, Lil Yachty, DJ Snake and more.

The Cleveland-bred artist is fresh off the release of his 10-track joint EP with Trippie Redd, Genre: Sadboy. The set recently debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200.

See MGK’s tweets about Coachella — past and present — below.

Hannah Dailey

Billboard