A wild Friday featuring legends and a Gaga grand finale!
Words cannot describe how excited we are to be back, for the 16th time, at one of the best festivals in the world, Coachella 2025!
Just like every year, the adrenaline starts building the moment the festival’s season kicks off. There’s nothing like being back in the desert, surrounded by music, fashion, and energy that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else. From capturing unforgettable moments on stage to soaking in the vibrant crowd atmosphere, it’s always an experience that fuels our spirit.
Stepping onto the grounds of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California is like entering a utopia designed for music lovers. Palm trees framed every direction, the Ferris wheel spun like a beacon of joy, and the golden-hour desert sun cast a dreamlike glow over thousands of festivalgoers. The scent of sunscreen and spicy food trucks danced in the breeze as fashionistas in rhinestones and boots strutted past. We passed the security filters, took that deep breath of dusty California air, and it hit us, we were finally here. The speakers boomed from all sides, and every corner of the field pulsed with sound and anticipation.
This isn’t just a music festival; it is a full-blown sensory explosion. From the lush green grass underfoot to the surreal art installations rising in the distance, Coachella felt alive. The day was just getting started, and we knew we were in for something special, something we’d never forget.
LOLA YOUNG
Lola Young opened our day with a magnetic mix of raw soul and fierce storytelling that immediately set the tone. Her voice? Pure fire—gritty, bluesy, and emotionally untouchable. On the Mojave Stage, surrounded by palm tree shadows and mid-afternoon golden light, she had the crowd swaying and snapping with every soulful lyric.
Tracks like “You Noticied” and “Don’t Hate Me” hit hard, with stripped-down arrangements that let her vocals steal the spotlight. She spoke to us like we were old friends, joking between songs and sharing personal moments that made her set feel intimate, even in a sea of thousands. There was something effortlessly cool about her. It was a reminder that artistry doesn’t always need fireworks; sometimes it just needs truth, talent, and a mic. Lola made sure no one forgot where the heart of music lives.
Her set was filled with some of her early songs, to new singles such as “Good Books,“Walk On By,” and of course “Messy,” which made the whole crowd erupt in cheers and screams.
THE GO-GO’S
Talk about a blast of punky nostalgia! The Go-Go’s took the Outdoor Stage and transformed it into a time machine. Decked out in glam-punk ensembles and glitter, the all-female legends launched into an incredible set with more energy than bands half their age. The crowd, ranging from Gen Zers in crop tops to OG fans in vintage tees and dresses, all screamed every word.
Belinda Carlisle’s vocals were as crisp and lively as ever, and Jane Wiedlin’s guitar riffs felt timeless. They played all the hits, “Head Over Heels,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “This Town.” But the most beautiful part of their performance? How much fun they were having. You could feel their sisterhood on stage, and it made every chord sparkle a little brighter. They paid tribute to their early LA punk roots, it was full-circle feminist rock glory.
By the time they were finishing their set with “We Got The Beat,” the whole field danced like they were teenagers again. Their legacy didn’t just echo through the crowd, it ripped through it with joy, rebellion, and a little glitter eyeliner. Long live the queens.
D4VD
At just 20 years old, d4vd (David Burke) showcased his genre-blending prowess, seamlessly weaving alternative, indie, rock, and R&B influences into a mesmerizing set. Opening with “Take Me To The Sun” and “Backstreet Girl,” the crowd was immediately drawn into his emotive world.
“Hello, I’m David. If you don’t know who I am, I’m the guy who smashed his face into the stage last weekend during a backflip attempt, and my video is all over social media. And I’m going to try it again today!” He successfully executed the flip later in the performance, earning roaring applause and solidifying his connection with fans.
His setlist featured tracks from his debut album, Withered, including the introspective “What Are You Waiting For.” The stage design, enhanced the immersive experience, reflecting d4vd’s artistic vision.
D4vd’s Coachella debut was a testament to his rising stardom, blending vulnerability, humor, and raw talent into a performance that left a lasting impression.
DJO
Djo, the musical alias of actor Joe Keery, (known for his role as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things), transformed the Mojave Stage into a nostalgic haven with his 1980s-inspired soft rock melodies. Performing tracks from his recently released album, The Crux, and also from his previous albums Twenty Twenty and Decide, he captivated the audience.
Songs like “Gap Tooth Smile,” “Potion,” “Roddy,” and “Flash Mountain” were just some of the great tracks he selected for his Coachella performance.
The set was a visual and auditory delight, featuring vibrant lighting and dynamic stage presence. Djo’s ability to blend vintage sounds with contemporary themes resonated deeply with fans, creating an atmosphere of collective nostalgia.
His performance at Coachella not only highlighted his musical versatility but also solidified his place as a formidable artist in the indie rock scene. Djo’s seamless fusion of past and present musical elements offered a refreshing experience that left the crowd yearning for more.
SARA LANDRY
As dusk rolled in and the desert sky dimmed, Sara Landry turned the Sahara Stage into a cathedral of pure techno worship. Clad in all black, surrounded by strobing lights and ritualistic visuals, her set was relentless and raw. The bass didn’t just hit, it rumbled through your chest like an ancient drum calling you to battle. Landry’s mix of industrial techno and dark trance created a kind of collective possession. Every drop was surgical, every buildup carried tension you could taste, and when it released? Chaos in the best way.
No vocals, no gimmicks, just pure, primal rhythm. The lighting pulsed like a heartbeat, syncing with the crowd’s energy as bodies moved like machines, eyes closed, fully immersed. And her transitions were masterful, layering sonic textures like a ritual spell, one beat at a time. It was a spiritual, apocalyptic, and cathartic set all at once.
If anyone doubted techno’s place in Coachella’s spotlight, Landry annihilated the question. She didn’t just perform, she conjured a rave out of thin air. A priestess of BPM, she gave us darkness, euphoria, and release. The Sahara Stage will be haunted by her echoes for a long, long time.
TYLA
Tyla gave us main pop girl energy with a global twist, and the crowd ate it up. Stepping onto the Outdoor Stage, she radiated confidence and cool. Her blend of amapiano, Afrobeats, and R&B was a refreshing vibe shift after Sara Landry’s dark world.
Her setlist was filled with some of her classic songs and more recent ones such as “Truth Or Dare,” “On And On,” and “Art,” but finishing her performance with “Water” was surreal! She had the entire field dancing in sync, and when she did the viral dance, fans lost it. Her live band added even more rhythm and bounce, and her dancers were in perfect formation, giving full-on choreography moments without missing a note.
Tyla knows how to command a stage, playful, polished, and powerfully in control. She shared stories of growing up in Johannesburg and thanked her fans for bringing her music global. It was bright, bold, and felt like a global dancefloor in the middle of the desert. Her Coachella debut? Certified star-making.
BENSON BOONE
Benson Boone hit the Coachella Stage like a comet, bright, passionate, and impossible to ignore. From the moment he sang the first haunting notes of “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else,” the crowd was locked in. His voice, with its heart-wrenching vulnerability and powerhouse range, echoed across the open air like a cinematic soundtrack to the desert sunset. Dressed in a simple white jeans and shirt with red belts, Benson let the music speak, and wow—did it ever. Fans screamed and sang along to “Drunk In My Mind,” and “There She Goes” but when the first notes of “Beautiful Things” started to sound, the cheers resonated through the whole Empire Polo Field.
He was visibly emotional, thanking the audience for giving his songs a home in their hearts. It was the kind of performance that made you feel seen, raw, romantic, and real. Maybe we didn’t get to see Queen’s guitarist Brian May on stage this weekend playing Bohemian Rhapsody, just a cardboard cutout, but the show Benson delivered was fantastic!
Boone didn’t just sing, he connected, and in doing so, proved he’s not just a TikTok sensation. He’s the real deal.
LISA
BLACKPINK’s Lisa made her highly anticipated Coachella solo debut feel like a coronation. As the sun began to set, she took the Sahara Stage and brought the house down with a dazzling, high-concept performance. Backed by a full dance crew and cinematic visuals, she delivered a slick, K-pop-meets-global-pop spectacle that felt larger than life.
Opening with her smash single “Thunder,” she immediately had the crowd in the palm of her hand, every move crisp, every vocal perfectly placed. She introduced her material that leaned into dancehall, and trap, showing off her versatility beyond BLACKPINK.
Her stage presence was untouchable: playful, fierce, and deeply magnetic. She shouted out her fans, drawing loud cheers from the Blinks in the crowd.
It wasn’t just a performance, it was a moment. Lisa didn’t just live up to the hype, she exceeded it with a perfect fusion of fashion, choreography, and charisma. If there was any doubt about her star power outside the group, it ended right there. A solo queen was crowned.
THE MARIAS
The Marías transformed the Outdoor Stage into a dreamy, psychedelic oasis with a set that felt like a slow-motion love letter to sensuality and groove. Maria Zardoya glided onto the stage in a sheer black ensemble, her breathy vocals lacing perfectly with the band’s hazy indie-pop textures.
They opened with “Intro / Hamptons” and the crowd immediately slipped into a trance, swaying like waves under the colored lights. The sultry Spanish-English blend of “Hush” and “Otro Atardecer” had the front row singing every word, and their set only deepened in vibe as they introduced tracks from their latest album and covers such as “Love Fool,” and “Ojos Tristes” shimmering with synths and bossa nova undertones. And finished with their iconic song, “Cariño.“
The band’s live chemistry was magnetic—tight, hypnotic, and effortlessly cool. Even their slower jams felt alive with movement, creating an atmosphere somewhere between a jazz lounge and a starlit dance floor.
Maria’s stage presence was soft yet commanding, her voice melting into the dreamy arrangements with a subtle intensity. She paused mid-set to thank the crowd for “being part of our little dream,” and that’s exactly what it was—a surreal, romantic sonic dreamscape. They didn’t just play music; they painted it in neon velvet.
CA7RIEL & PACO AMOROSO
If there was a sleeper hit performance of the day, it was hands-down Ca7riel y Paco Amoroso. Representing Argentina with a punk-meets-trap explosion, they destroyed the Gobi Stage in the best way possible. These two were all energy—ripping through tracks like “Baby Gangsta” and “Sheesh” with reckless joy, shirtless and sweaty within minutes. But with song “El Único,” the track that put them in the international spotlight during their Tiny Desk performance, the crowd exploded with joy. Many fans were wearing the blue hat Paco Amoroso wore during that performance.
Their chemistry was unique, bouncing off each other like live wires while the crowd went into full mosh mode. Spanish chants filled the air, and even those unfamiliar with their catalog couldn’t resist the beat drops and snarling flow. A fantastic band, backup singers, hyperactive lighting, and their anarchic presence made it one of the rawest and realest sets of the day. They shouted out Latinx fans in the audience, calling this moment a dream, and you could feel the pride in every word. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t pretty. It was pure, punk chaos, and it ruled.
For many, this was their first taste of the duo, but they left as converts. Ca7riel & Paco didn’t come to just play, they came to detonate. It was an unforgettable, firestarter set that made Coachella feel dangerous in the best way.
THE PRODIGY
When The Prodigy hit the Mojave Stage, the temperature spiked. These UK legends turned Coachella into a thunderous rave, dragging us into the fire from the first distorted riff of their powerful setlist.
“Breathe” was intense, loud, and absolutely out of control. Lights strobed in epileptic rhythm, and the mosh pits opened instantly. “Firestarter” was a battle cry, and the crowd responded with primal chaos. Not the mention they started their performance with “Smack My Bitch Up“, pure energy!
Though Keith Flint’s absence loomed, Maxim honored him with raw passion, and the entire set felt like a tribute soaked in sweat, bass, and rebellion.
At one point of their performance, Maxim jumped down from the stage and delivered his vocals straight from the barricade, face-to-face with the fans. The crowd went absolutely ballistic!
Their punk-electronic fusion still felt futuristic, even in 2025. Maxim’s vocals shredded through the speakers with power! The visual backdrop and lighting were gritty and aggressive. This wasn’t for the casual fan. It was for those who needed to feel the music. And feel it we did, down to our bones.
GLORILLA
GloRilla brought straight Memphis fire to the desert with a set that was loud, bold, and unapologetically her! Stepping onto the Sahara Stage like a queen, she wasted no time launching into “Tomorrow,” and the crowd erupted. Her southern drawl, heavy bass, and confident delivery had us hyped from the jump. Every line was a punch, every beat a warning. She brought a full crew with her, dancers that had fans absolutely losing it. It was a visual delight!
Glo’s charisma was off the charts, laughing between songs and reminding everyone that “this is my moment.” She talked about her rise from the streets to Coachella and got emotional when thanking fans for riding with her.
Her setlist included songs such as “Blessed,” “Bad Bih 4 Ya,” and “Lick Or Sum.” But then she dropped “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” and the whole field bounced like a riot. It was raw, it was real, it was Glo-time.
As we drifted away from the glowing stages and into the desert night, our hearts were pounding, our feet aching, and our souls, absolutely full.
Coachella 2025 Weekend Two, Day One had delivered more than a festival. It gave us a universe of moments we’ll never forget. From Lola Young’s raw soul to Lady Gaga’s divine finale, every artist left a unique mark on this wild ride. We danced in the dust, cried under stars, and screamed lyrics with strangers who instantly felt like family. It was everything we hoped for—and then some.
The journey from San Antonio to Indio had brought us more than miles, it brought transformation, joy, and a reconnection with the pulse of live music. This wasn’t just about big names and flashing lights. It was about feeling alive again, together, in the most vibrant way possible. We left the Empire Polo Club exhausted but euphoric, glitter still clinging to our skin, music echoing in our minds. And as the desert wind whispered through the palm trees, we knew: we had witnessed something unforgettable.
And this… was just Day One.
