As always, Coachella managed to capture the perfect blend of chaos and excitement during its 2025 edition in Indio, California.
The festival kicked off with significant traffic jams and wristband scanner malfunctions, leaving many attendees frustrated.
Consumers also faced scorching temperatures that occasionally climbed over 100 degrees, adding to the hardships of getting to the event.
However, once festival-goers finally navigated through the challenges, they were treated to unique perks like free Erewhon food and stellar performances from their favorite artists.
Headlining acts included Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, and Post Malone, while special appearances from Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Danny Brown added to the lineup’s allure.
A particularly whimsical moment came when the entire cast of Yo Gabba Gabba! entertained the crowd with a rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” bringing nostalgia and joy to attendees.
Community voices have been vocal about their experiences with this year’s festival, sharing the best, worst, and wildest moments from Coachella Weekend One.
One notable lowlight was the massive traffic congestion dubbed ‘Carmageddon’ by festival-goers.
Countless cars ran out of gas, and attendees were forced to walk miles to find bathrooms, sometimes sitting in gridlock for over 12 hours.
The chaos was largely attributed to newly implemented parking rules, including a more expensive ‘preferred front row’ option that replaced what was once a first-come, first-served system.
One frustrated festival-goer quipped, “I didn’t know Fyre Festival tickets were included in admission.”
On a more upbeat note, Seun Kuti and his band, Egypt 80, delivered an electrifying Afrobeat performance as part of their set called ‘Fela-chella.’
Accompanied by visuals featuring famous figures like Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela, the show was an inspiring blend of music, politics, and cultural history.
Meanwhile, Weezer had a strange week leading up to the festival.
Just days before Coachella, they were announced as a last-minute addition to the lineup, filling a slot left vacant by FKA Twigs.
The band’s bassist, Scott Shriner, faced personal challenges after his wife was shot by the LAPD, yet he still managed to perform a 12-song set, showing impressive resilience.
Elliott’s performance highlighted Lady Gaga’s headlining set, which was a masterclass in pop spectacle.
Transforming the stage into an opera house, Gaga showcased her vocal prowess and theatrical flair.
While she performed tracks primarily from her latest album, Mayhem, she also included old favorites like “Alejandro” and “Judas” for the first time in five years.
Unfortunately, her performance was the first in 17 years not to include her debut hit, “Just Dance,” leaving some fans disappointed.
Three 6 Mafia injected a touch of Memphis into the desert with a spirited performance.
However, their attempt to engage the audience on a song’s chorus resulted in an awkward silence that underwhelmed their set.
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day made a surprise appearance, completing a two-day Coachella experience that had fans buzzing.
Whether collaborating with the Go-Go’s or delivering an energetic Green Day set, he added a sense of spontaneity to the festival.
Meanwhile, Benson Boone took fandom to a new level by joining forces with Queen’s Brian May for a cover of the iconic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Despite technical challenges, Boone’s enthusiasm was hard to miss.
In contrast, Nigerian star Rema faced difficulties during his debut performance, including a late start and reportedly lip-syncing through an abbreviated set, disappointing many fans.
On a brighter note, Speed, the first Australian hardcore band at Coachella, energized the Sonora Tent, inspiring festival-goers to launch themselves into the mosh pit.
Their passionate performance and exhortations about love and unity greatly engaged the crowd.
U.K. electronic legends, The Prodigy, brought one of the weekend’s most impactful performances.
Their high-octane set kicked off with “Breathe,” leaving no one still amidst the madness.
They delivered not just a dynamic live show but also a heartfelt tribute to the late Keith Flint during their performance of “Firestarter.”
However, energy levels fluctuated throughout the weekend.
Despite some standout moments, many audiences seemed disengaged, perhaps exhausted by the heat or the chaotic festival layout.
Yeat surprised attendees by stepping away from his usual style to cover Drake’s heartfelt track “Feel No Ways,” showcasing unexpected depth.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic made their debut at Coachella this year, performing alongside various artists like Zedd and LL Cool J.
Yet many felt their music clashed with the festival’s poppier vibe, leading to a scattered and less impactful experience.
In other news, Marina engaged the crowd with her relatable performances that harkened back to Tumblr’s emotional expression days.
Chappell Roan, the rising pop star, honored Marina while also electrifying the audience with her own energy, bridging a generational gap between the two.
On the flip side, the performance of the Original Misfits fell short, marred by technical issues and frontman Glenn Danzig’s complaints about the heat.
Their late start and difficulties made for a less-than-stellar show, differing greatly from Green Day’s earlier success.
Despite technical issues, Megan Thee Stallion’s set proved to be a highlight, full of surprise guests and high-energy performances.
She embraced her star power and even managed to turn a few mic issues into memorable moments, wrapping the crowd in her dynamic presence.
The festival environment proved challenging for some performers, leading to memorable highs as well as notable lows.
With the festival stretching over multiple days, Coachella 2025 demonstrated yet again why it remains an iconic event in the music landscape, with every opportunity to redeem earlier missteps in the following weekend.
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