The first-ever Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was originally scheduled as a one-day event on October 9, 1999, but later expanded to include October 10 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Although it didn't immediately spark the massive phenomenon we know today, it laid the groundwork for what would soon become one of the world’s most iconic cultural gatherings.

That inaugural lineup boasted a diverse range of artists, including Beck, Rage Against the Machine, and Tool as headliners. Other standout names ranged from The Chemical Brothers and Morrissey to Underworld and Pavement, showcasing Coachella’s early commitment to eclecticism. Moby, Ben Harper, DJ Shadow, Jurassic 5, Spiritualized, and Gil Scott-Heron were also among the many performers who contributed to the festival’s electric debut.

Fashion in 1999 echoed the era’s grunge and punk sensibilities, with attendees donning plaid, tartan, and a comfortably disheveled vibe that fit right…