Surprise Appearances and Political Stances Mark Coachella 2025

INDIO, California — Pop icons took to the stage and mingled with fans at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this weekend, creating a buzz among festivalgoers. Notable performances included Lady Gaga‘s dramatic set, featuring striking visuals and a tribute to her 2011 song “Bloody Mary,” which began with an elaborate thematic presentation.

South Korean sensation Blackpink was also in attendance, with member Lisa spotted dancing at the festival. Her live performance saw support from co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger, who shared a clip of himself enjoying her hit song “Money.” Meanwhile, Benson Boone surprised concertgoers with a guest appearance by Sir Brian May, where they performed Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”—a highlight wrapped in Boone’s signature front flip.

Other star-studded appearances included actor Timothée Chalamet and partner Kylie Jenner on the festival’s second day. Major acts at this year’s festival included Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, and Green Day, hosting an audience of approximately 100,000 attendees each day.

Charli XCX graced the stage on Saturday, performing a mix of fan favorites including “Von Dutch” and “360,” accompanied by surprise guests such as Troye Sivan and Billie Eilish. The excitement at her set, however, was contrasted by significant delays at the festival gates, as ticket holders faced overwhelming traffic amidst a newly implemented reservation system for campers.

Left-wing Senator Bernie Sanders made an unexpected appearance before Clairo‘s performance, addressing the audience to discuss pressing national challenges. “The future of what happens to America is dependent upon your generation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in shaping the country.

Green Day used their headline performance to address current events, altering lyrics to reflect their political stance on the war in Gaza and critiquing former President Donald Trump‘s administration. Their frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, has voiced strong opposition to what he has labeled the “Maga agenda.” In an unexpected turn, Irish rap group Kneecap drew attention with their political commentary during their performance, inspiring chants against former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, although the online livestream controversially cut off during their remarks.

Despite the star-studded lineup, Coachella has been facing scrutiny from fans. A 2024 survey indicated that 75% of respondents believed the festival was overshadowed by influencers. Past incidents, such as Blur frontman Damon Albarn berating the crowd for lackluster singing and multiple technical difficulties, have also left a mark on the festival’s reputation.

The festival is set to continue on Sunday and will resume next weekend, promising more excitement and surprises in store.