Jack White is making an unexpected return to the desert, joining the first weekend of Coachella 2026 as a last-minute addition. He’s scheduled to play a 45-minute set on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on the Mojave stage—a slot that has recently become known for unannounced appearances. That same stage and time have hosted surprise performances in past years from artists like Weezer, blink-182, Arcade Fire, and Ed Sheeran, making White’s inclusion part of a growing festival tradition.
White is no stranger to Coachella — he first appeared with The White Stripes in 2003 and later returned as a solo headliner in 2015. His latest booking adds to an already stacked Saturday lineup, which also features The Strokes performing later that evening. This year’s festival is led by headliners Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Karol G, alongside a wide mix of other acts.
Outside the festival buzz, White has been active on the media circuit. He recently stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and officially kicked off his next chapter with the release of two new tracks, “G.O.D. and the Broken Ribs” and “Derecho Demonico,” marking his first material since 2024’s No Name. The release coincided with White’s return to Saturday Night Live, where he took the stage as musical guest for the sixth time, appear alongside host Jack Black, with whom he’s previously collaborated.
The self-produced songs were recorded alongside his current band—drummer Patrick Keeler, bassist Dominic Davis, and keyboardist Bobby Emmett—and lean into his signature blues-rock sound. Both tracks are now available on streaming platforms, with a physical release arriving as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl. Special tri-color and black pressings will be sold through Third Man Records locations in Nashville, Detroit, and London, as well as online, while standard black vinyl will roll out to independent record stores worldwide shortly after.
Listen to G.O.D. And The Broken Ribs: HERE.
Check out Derecho Demonico – HERE.
Editorial credit: Jgphotographydetroit / Shutterstock.com
