In the heart of the desert, Coachella weekend one unfolds, bringing a sense of nostalgia, Boho inspired outfits, and incredible performances that left audiences speechless. The festival, which has become known for its musical lineups and brand festivities, has again demonstrated its ability to provide experiences that people will never forget. This year, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott headlined the festival.
Lady Gaga’s thrilling return to the Coachella stage, since 2017, was truly unforgettable. Her five-act show featured her most recent album, Mayhem, and was based on themes of internal conflict and duality. Some of the songs on the set list were “Abracadabra,” “Killah,” and “Garden of Eden,” which were alternated with staples like “Poker Face” and “Born This Way.” A mirrored hall of clones and a flame-spitting metal lotus were among the unique set pieces in the show. One of the clones was Gaga herself, demonstrating that she had been performing with a doppelgänger the entire time. The event was praised by audiences as one of the most creative in the festival’s history. It was admired for its aesthetic appeal and theatrical feel.
The festival featured a wide range of musicians in addition to Gaga. Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Missy Elliott amazed the crowd with their powerful presence on stage, while K-pop stars Lisa and Jennie of Blackpink gave mesmerizing performances. The festival’s dedication to promoting up-and-coming artists was shown by the notable impressions made by emerging artists including Benson Boone and Tyla. Tyla shocked her fans by performing their joint song, “On My Body,” with Becky G by her side. Meanwhile, Benson Boone performed with Queen’s Brian May, who played on guitar for performances of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Beautiful Things.”
However, the extravagant festivities of this year’s festival mixed with the politics of the present day. It’s clear that the government in its entirety is affecting the entire country, and the music industry, whether it’s Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” Green Day’s rewritten lyrics in favor of Palestine and Bernie Sanders’ opening statements for Clairo’s performance. Sander’s mentioned in his speech that this country faces some extremely challenging issues and encouraged youth activism.
Charli XCX chose to make the production itself simple while performing her hit songs off of her most recent album Brat, even though her main stage act was one of the most viewed during the entire weekend. With bright white lighting and a mid-stage lift at several heights, she was the only performer onstage for most of the show. She certainly made up for it with her surprise guests. After welcoming Troye Sivan on “Talk Talk,” she introduced Lorde for “Girl, So Confusing” and Billie Eilish for “Guess,” which left the audience upbeat and thrilled, making her performance one of the most iconic of the night.
The Coachella Music and Artist Festival is still one of the largest music festivals in the world and definitely one of the largest worldwide venues for recording artists, despite reports of decreasing ticket sales, interest, and popularity. With Coachella releasing the 2026 ticket presale on Friday, May 2, this lineup left supporters excited for the festival the following year.
