Lana Del Rey's enigmatic stage presence and cinematic visuals evoked a cultural zeitgeist of longing and retrospection during her headline performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. @CoachellaAttendant: “I’ve never seen a crowd so captivated by an artist. Lana had the entire audience in the palm of her hand”. Like a tapestry of emotions, Lana’s Coachella performance stitched together threads of longing, vulnerability, and resilience, creating a captivating mosaic of the human experience combined with a stage design reminiscent of Moulin Rouge or The Great Gatsby. Her catalogue was stacked with tracks that take one back to the good old Tumblr-scrolling days. Billie Eilish surprised everyone in week one by joining Lana on stage to sing 'Ocean Eyes' and 'Video Games'. Lana also had Camila Cabello perform her newest single, 'I LUV IT', during weekend two; although a small detour from the tone of Lana’s typical music, it provided a fun, upbeat interlude during her set. Despite scepticism, Lana Del Rey proved to be a captivating and worthy headliner who evoked a collective yearning for a bygone era.
Tyler, The Creator, delivered a stunning performance on the main stage at Coachella, featuring an extravagant stage production, star-studded guest appearances and a compelling blend of high-energy hits with heartfelt moments. He effortlessly worked the stage, even taking breaks to catch his breath and deliver expletive-laden messages to his doubters. The show featured appearances by Donald Glover, A$AP Rocky, Charlie Wilson, and Kali Uchis, which added to the excitement. Tyler's 15-year career was covered in the set with seamless transitions and a constant sense of momentum. Despite starting late, Tyler left the crowd more energised than ever, exciting the stage with a spectacular flying stunt. The performance showcased Tyler's artistry and stage presence at its finest.
The Coachella stage witnessed an unexpected and highly anticipated event on April 13—the return of No Doubt after a hiatus since 2015. Their 80-minute set was a resounding success, featuring most of their greatest hits and even some rare songs. To add to the excitement, Olivia Rodrigo made a surprise appearance to perform with them on 'Bathwater', creating a heartwarming, multi-generational moment for which Coachella is famous. The band projected candid moments from their video archive throughout the show, leading viewers to speculate if this performance was their final goodbye. Regardless, their performance was a stylish and unforgettable one, marking a significant moment in the history of Coachella.
Edited by Nicole Collins