Coachella 2025 highlights & letdowns

Desert Dreams and Dusty Disappointments​

Coachella 2025 was a whirlwind of music, fashion, and unexpected moments. From jaw-dropping performances to eyebrow-raising letdowns, the festival had it all.

Whether you were dancing in the desert or watching from afar, there was no shortage of buzzworthy highlights. Let’s dive into the most memorable moments that had everyone talking.​

Gaga’s Mic Mishap Turns into Magic

Lady Gaga’s set hit a snag when her mic failed during Abracadabra. Ever the pro, she switched to a handheld and quipped, “At least you know I sing live,” earning cheers.

Her resilience turned a technical glitch into a testament of her live prowess. Fans left even more enamored with her authenticity.

ENHYPEN’s Electrifying Set

K-pop sensation ENHYPEN made their Coachella performance unforgettable with a 45-minute Sahara stage performance. Their EDM rendition of Drunk-Dazed showcased intense choreography and live vocals.

Sharing the stage with BLACKPINK’s Lisa added to the spectacle. The group expressed gratitude for the global fan support that made it all possible.

Green Day Brings the Fire, Literally

Green Day’s Coachella debut turned wild when a misfired firework lit a palm tree ablaze mid-set. The brief blaze added chaos, but the punk legends never missed a beat.

With American Idiot echoing through the desert, the band powered through like true pros. Their high-energy set proved why, decades in, they’re still rock royalty.

Post Malone’s Country Twist Surprise

Post Malone wasn’t flying solo this time—he wrapped up Coachella 2025 with surprise cameos from Ed Sheeran and Jelly Roll. Their energy lit up the closing set, giving fans an emotional, genre-blending sendoff.

Sheeran jumped in on a country-flavored Sunflower, adding guitar and vocals in Swae Lee’s place. Then Jelly Roll brought the house down on Losers, making Posty’s F-1 Trillion era come alive onstage.

Jennie’s Solo Sparkle Steals Coachella

Jennie from Blackpink lit up Coachella 2025 with a solo set packed with flair, fire, and flawless vocals. While her bandmates chilled in the crowd, she brought the main-stage energy like a seasoned queen.

She rocked Mantra, Like JENNIE, and ExtraL before teaming up with Kali Uchis on a sizzling Damn Right. Dressed in a blingy cropped top, latex jacket, leather boots, and a giant cowboy hat, Jennie owned that stage from head to toe.

Benson Boone’s Cardboard Clapback

Benson Boone wasn’t about to let the Coachella crowd off easy after they slept on his surprise guest. When fans barely reacted to Queen legend Brian May, Boone cooked up a savage plan for round two.

He hyped up a mystery guest on TikTok, teasing something massive for Bohemian Rhapsody. Then boom—he wheeled out a life-sized cardboard cutout of May, trolling the audience with the ultimate petty payoff.

Ed Sheeran Saves the Stage with Surprise Debut

Coachella got a dose of British charm when Ed Sheeran stepped in last-minute and absolutely crushed his debut. He filled in for FKA Twigs, who had visa issues, and turned week two into a total sing-along session.

From Castle On The Hill to Bad Habits, Ed rolled through hit after hit, even blending Don’t with No Diggity. Fans weren’t just happy— they were Thinking Out Loud about how he stole the night.

Rema’s Rocky Ride at Mojave Tent

Coachella 2025 hit a sour note when Afrobeats star Rema showed up nearly 30 minutes late for his 45-minute slot. The crowd got a shaky start with awkward lip-syncing and obvious tech troubles.

Once the backing track dropped, he bounced back with Calm Down and a few solid performances. But with faulty in-ears and mic drama, the set fizzled out with confusion and frustrated fans.

Travis Scott Turns It Up After a Slow Start

Travis Scott closed out a packed Saturday night of Weekend 2 with a high-energy performance that had fans on their feet. His opener, however, was a questionable song choice that left the crowd waiting for the spark.

Things took off once the lights, pyros, and visuals amped up the energy, firing up the audience with a powerful string of crowd-pleasers. With immersive visuals and high-octane stage effects, the show quickly became the kind of unforgettable spectacle Coachella is known for.

Charli XCX Brings the Brat Pack

Charli XCX brought big Brat energy to Coachella, owning the stage like a headliner despite not officially holding the title. Fresh off her GRAMMY win and viral Brat Summer takeover, she showed no signs of slowing down.

The crowd went wild as she brought out Billie Eilish for Guess, Lorde for Girl, So Confusing, and Troye Sivan for Talk Talk. It wasn’t just a set—it was a full-on pop power summit under the desert sky.

Megan Thee Stallion Strikes with Snake Power

Megan Thee Stallion brought the heat to the Coachella Stage, serving up fierce energy, bold visuals, and fan-favorite tracks throughout her high-impact set. Drenched in red curls and backed by fierce dancers, she moved with fire and rapped with full force.

While her second weekend missed surprise stars like Queen Latifah and Ciara, she didn’t need the extra glitter to slay. Even with a brief mic hiccup during the set, Megan powered through with her signature confidence, proving once again that she runs the show.

Cynthia Erivo Hits the Jackpot

Imagine Coachella as a slot machine—you spin it and out pops Cynthia Erivo, Purple Rain, and the L.A. Philharmonic. Sounds made-up, right? But that’s exactly what Weekend 2 served, and it was as magical as it sounds.

As the sun dipped low, Erivo belted out Prince’s classic with raw soul and powerhouse vocals. Backed by a full orchestra, the surprise set felt like a dream you didn’t know you needed.

Lisa Shines Even Through Static

Lisa returned for Weekend 2 and lit up the stage with live vocals and major poise, even when tech issues tried to trip her up. A loose in-ear monitor? No sweat—she fixed it like a pro mid-performance without breaking rhythm.

This time, her mic was crystal clear, letting fans hear every note over a softened backing track. Dressed in bold, fresh looks, the BLACKPINK star gave a flawless show that fans are still replaying online.

Ed Sheeran and Weezer lit up Coachella 2025—relive the epic moments from their unforgettable sets!

Sunshine, Sticker Shock and Snack Attacks

If the music didn’t leave you breathless, the desert heat definitely tried its best. Temps soared past 100°F, turning the polo fields into a giant, glittery oven. ​

And let’s talk food— overpriced lemonade and chicken sandwich had fans clutching their wallets harder than their wristbands. Between sweating it out and paying a premium for snacks, surviving Coachella became its own kind of headliner.​

Mark your calendars—Coachella 2026 dates are here! Find out who’s rumored to headline the iconic festival.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.