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Coachella Festival Highlights: Surprise Guest Appearances and Electrifying Performances
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival drew massive crowds and celebrity attendees this weekend, featuring a blend of anticipated performances and unexpected moments. Pop artists were observed enjoying the shows from within the audience, while Lady Gaga delivered a captivating main stage set that became a major talking point.
Lady Gaga’s Electrifying Performance
Enthusiastic fans gathered to witness Lady Gaga, the “Poker Face” singer, present tracks from her latest album, “Mayhem.” Gaga delivered a visually arresting performance, commencing her set with a theatrical opening that evoked a dramatic ritual, set to her 2011 hit, “Bloody Mary.” The performance was lauded as a visual spectacle and one of the festival’s standout moments.
Celebrity Spotting: Blackpink in the Crowd
Among the famous faces observed in the audience were members of the South Korean sensation Blackpink. Lisa of Blackpink was seen enjoying the performance of K-pop group Enhypen after Blackpink’s own performance earlier in the festival. This interaction highlighted the camaraderie amongst artists at Coachella.
Benson Boone and Brian May Unite
Benson Boone, known for his hit “Beautiful Things,” delivered a surprise for the Coachella crowd by inviting legendary Queen guitarist Sir Brian May to the stage. Together, they performed a rendition of Queen’s iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” punctuated by Boone’s signature front flip, thrilling the audience with this unexpected collaboration.
Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Attend Festival
Actor Timothée Chalamet and his partner Kylie Jenner were spotted among the attendees on the second day of the music festival, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Their presence added to the star-studded atmosphere of the event.
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Blackpink’s Lisa, recently seen in HBO’s “The White Lotus” season three, received support during her performance from co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger, who shared a video of himself singing along to her popular track, “Money.”
Justin and Hailey Bieber, singer Tate McRae, and Australian rapper The Kid Laroi were seen dancing at Yeat’s performance on Friday night, further demonstrating the wide array of celebrity attendees enjoying the musical acts.
This year’s headliners included Megan Thee Stallion, rapper Post Malone, and US punk-rock band Green Day, performing for crowds estimated at 100,000 attendees daily.
Charli XCX and Guest Stars Delight Fans
Fresh from her five victories at the 2025 Brit Awards in March, Charli XCX engaged fans with a “brat summer” themed set on Saturday, performing hits such as “Von Dutch” and “360” for a substantial audience. Her energetic performance was a festival highlight.
The British singer also brought out several special guests during her set, including Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, who joined her for their chart-topping collaboration, “Guess.” These guest appearances amplified the excitement surrounding her performance.
Festival Entry Challenges
Prior to the performances commencing, attendees faced significant entry delays, with ticket holders experiencing heavy traffic congestion while attempting to enter the festival grounds. This logistical challenge marked the beginning of the festival experience for many.
Coachella implemented a reservation-style program for campers this year, replacing the previous first-come, first-served system. This change resulted in attendees waiting up to twelve hours in their vehicles under intense desert heat with limited facilities, creating discomfort and frustration for many.
Political Commentary Takes Center Stage
As is common at large music festivals, political activism was present at this year’s Coachella event. Various artists used their platforms to address social and political issues.
Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the audience before singer-songwriter Clairo’s Saturday set, criticizing US President Donald Trump’s administration. He emphasized the challenges facing the nation and the crucial role of younger generations in shaping America’s future.
During their headline performance, Green Day altered lyrics in some of their well-known songs to reference the conflict in Gaza and to protest against what frontman Billy Joe Armstrong has frequently termed “the Maga agenda.” This incorporated political messaging into their musical performance.
Kneecap’s Performance Sparks Controversy
Following their Bafta award success for their self-titled film, Irish rap group Kneecap performed on the Sonora stage and led the crowd in chants about former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Their performance included explicit political statements.
Notably, the online livestream of Kneecap’s performance was interrupted precisely when the band made their political remarks, raising questions about censorship and control over festival broadcasts.
Coachella Faces Scrutiny
Coachella has encountered increasing criticism in recent years. A 2024 survey indicated that 75% of US respondents believed the festival was being overshadowed by social media influencers, shifting the focus away from the music itself.
The festival also experienced several artist-related incidents in the preceding year, adding to the scrutiny. These incidents have contributed to a narrative of challenges and controversies surrounding the event.
Blur frontman Damon Albarn publicly criticized the 2024 Coachella audience, accusing them of being “lackluster” during their performance, expressing his disappointment with the crowd’s energy.
Grimes also issued an apology for “major technical difficulties” encountered during her Coachella DJ set. Technical issues disrupted her performance and impacted the audience experience.
Fans witnessed Grimes expressing frustration on stage as a series of technical problems arose, including songs being played at double speed. These technical malfunctions detracted from her intended performance.
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is scheduled to continue through Sunday and will resume the following weekend, offering attendees a second chance to experience the event and artists another opportunity to perform.