Coachella 2025 Highlights Surprises, Guest Performances

Coachella 2025's first weekend featured standout performances from headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Travis Scott, and Post Malone, with memorable surprise appearances such as Queen’s Brian May joining Benson Boone for 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Charli XCX’s set included high-profile guests Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, while Clairo opened her show with a speech from Senator Bernie Sanders urging young Americans to engage politically. El Malilla, a rising reggaetón star from Mexico, closed the Sonora stage with an energetic show and promised surprise guests for the second weekend. The festival was also marked by surreal and viral moments on the grounds, from a Simpsons-Alien hybrid art installation to impromptu celebrations and viral influencer encounters. Despite the festival’s exuberance, there were reminders of the broader political climate, with several artists and speakers referencing social and political issues throughout the weekend. Attendees endured long waits and intense heat, but the event maintained its reputation as a vibrant gathering of music, art, and social commentary.