The first weekend of Coachella 2025 in Indio, California has wrapped and it has sparked debate amongst festival goers and music lovers: has the critically acclaimed festival fallen off? Since its inception in 1999, the festival has shifted from an indie festival to a mainstream cultural phenomenon featuring an over the top fashion scene and iconic performances.
This year’s headlining acts for Coachella featured Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone. Lady Gaga kicked off the weekend on Friday night, performing her nostalgic classics including “Bad Romance,” “Paparazzi” and “Alejandro.” She also performed many hits from her latest album, “Mayhem,” for the first time ever. Gaga, who previously headlined the festival in 2017, put on a theatrical set full of electrifying costume changes, dance breaks and visuals, all of which the 39 year old has not shied away from for the last two decades.
Saturday’s headliner was Green Day, who brought the nostalgia of 2000s punk to the Coachella Valley. The performance featured many of their staples, including “American Idiot,” “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life).” However, the set was met with controversy as their lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, made strong political comments on stage and changed some lyrics to acknowledge the current political climate. Additionally, there was failed pyrotechnology, leading to a palm tree being set on fire.
Finally, Sunday saw Post Malone closing out the festival as the final headliner, blending his hip-hop, rock and newfound country sound into one performance. His set took fans through a journey of his decade-long career, proving how significant a force he has been in the music industry. With hits including “Rockstar,” “White Iverson” and “Sunflower,” Malone left the crowd buzzing.
Aside from the headliners, a clear highlight of the weekend and the moment that broke the internet was Charli XCX’s performance. She brought out guests Troye Sivan, Lorde and Billie Eilish, all whom she collaborated with on her critically acclaimed album “BRAT.” Other notable performances include those from Megan Thee Stallion, Ed Sheeran, Missy Elliot, Zedd as well as solo performances from BLACKPINK’s LISA and JENNIE.
Despite the lineup’s star power and numerous standout performances, reactions to Coachella 2025 have been mixed. Longtime attendees and fans have voiced concerns that the festival is straying far from its roots. The balance between music and influencer culture has shifted over the years, with many believing the festival has diverted from being a celebration of music to an event purely for social media purposes. Still, highlights like Charli XCX’s set and Lady Gaga’s dramatic return reminded fans why Coachella continues to be such a dominant force in pop culture. Whether the festival is evolving or losing its edge remains a point of contention, but one thing’s for sure: Coachella 2025 has left everyone talking.