Coachella was abuzz this weekend as pop royalty gathered in the audience, eagerly watching performances while Lady Gaga electrified the crowd with her dramatic show. Festivalgoers flocked to see her perform tracks from her new album "Mayhem," opening her set with a visually striking interpretation of her 2011 hit, "Bloody Mary."
Prominent artists such as South Korean sensations Blackpink were spotted enjoying each other’s performances, with member Lisa dancing enthusiastically to K-pop boy band Enhypen following her own set. Additionally, Benson Boone surprised attendees by inviting rock legend Sir Brian May to join him for a lively rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody," complete with a signature front flip.
Among the crowd were actor Timothée Chalamet and partner Kylie Jenner, who were seen mingling with attendees. Blackpink's Lisa, who recently appeared in HBO's "The White Lotus," was cheered on by co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger while he shared a clip of himself singing along to her hit, “Money.” Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, along with other stars like Tate McRae and The Kid Laroi, were also in attendance, dancing along to Yeat's set.
Returning to the festival after her five Brit Awards wins, Charli XCX got the audience pumped with hits like "Von Dutch" and "360," bringing out guests such as Troye Sivan and Billie Eilish to perform their collaborative track “Guess.”
However, the festival faced hiccups before the main event. Attendees reported chaotic entry conditions as they dealt with heavy traffic due to a newly implemented reservation system for camping, resulting in waits of up to 12 hours in high desert heat with limited amenities.
Political discussions were part of the mix as well, with Senator Bernie Sanders addressing the crowd before Clairo's performance, calling attention to the challenges facing the nation and urging the younger generation to take action. During their set, Green Day also made headlines by altering their lyrics to comment on global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Irish rap group Kneecap, riding high from their recent Bafta wins, riled the crowd with chants against former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during their show, although their online livestream unexpectedly cut off during this segment.
Controversies surrounding Coachella have surfaced in recent years, with a 2024 survey indicating that a significant percentage of respondents believed the festival was being eclipsed by influencer culture. Last year’s festival also encountered setbacks, including a harsh critique from Blur's Damon Albarn and technical difficulties faced by Grimes during her DJ set, leaving fans frustrated.
As the festival continues into the weekend, excitement remains palpable with more star-studded performances and surprise appearances on the horizon.
Prominent artists such as South Korean sensations Blackpink were spotted enjoying each other’s performances, with member Lisa dancing enthusiastically to K-pop boy band Enhypen following her own set. Additionally, Benson Boone surprised attendees by inviting rock legend Sir Brian May to join him for a lively rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody," complete with a signature front flip.
Among the crowd were actor Timothée Chalamet and partner Kylie Jenner, who were seen mingling with attendees. Blackpink's Lisa, who recently appeared in HBO's "The White Lotus," was cheered on by co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger while he shared a clip of himself singing along to her hit, “Money.” Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber, along with other stars like Tate McRae and The Kid Laroi, were also in attendance, dancing along to Yeat's set.
Returning to the festival after her five Brit Awards wins, Charli XCX got the audience pumped with hits like "Von Dutch" and "360," bringing out guests such as Troye Sivan and Billie Eilish to perform their collaborative track “Guess.”
However, the festival faced hiccups before the main event. Attendees reported chaotic entry conditions as they dealt with heavy traffic due to a newly implemented reservation system for camping, resulting in waits of up to 12 hours in high desert heat with limited amenities.
Political discussions were part of the mix as well, with Senator Bernie Sanders addressing the crowd before Clairo's performance, calling attention to the challenges facing the nation and urging the younger generation to take action. During their set, Green Day also made headlines by altering their lyrics to comment on global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
Irish rap group Kneecap, riding high from their recent Bafta wins, riled the crowd with chants against former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during their show, although their online livestream unexpectedly cut off during this segment.
Controversies surrounding Coachella have surfaced in recent years, with a 2024 survey indicating that a significant percentage of respondents believed the festival was being eclipsed by influencer culture. Last year’s festival also encountered setbacks, including a harsh critique from Blur's Damon Albarn and technical difficulties faced by Grimes during her DJ set, leaving fans frustrated.
As the festival continues into the weekend, excitement remains palpable with more star-studded performances and surprise appearances on the horizon.
