Alok, Green Day, and Charli XCX Lit Up the Desert!
Day Two at Coachella 2025 Weekend Two came in blazing hot and buzzing with anticipation. The sun hit harder than Friday, pushing temps above the 80s, but that didn’t stop the crowd, if anything, it turned up the intensity. People were already lining up before noon, refueling with water and sunscreen, dusted in glitter or wrapped in punk patches. After a euphoric first day, the expectations were sky-high, and Saturday delivered across the board.
The vibe was a wild fusion of retro punk anthems, glossy pop perfection, psychedelic visuals, and euphoric bass drops. From the crunchy guitars of Together Pangea to the orchestrated brilliance of Gustavo Dudamel, and a special set from Travis Scott that had the Main Stage absolutely losing it, Day Two was a full-on genre blender.
Energy never dipped, the crowd went from singing along to Ed Sheeran under the golden hour to thrashing in the pit for The Misfits, with stops at Alok’s explosive drops and Charli XCX’s futuristic party takeover. You could see and feel how much this day meant to everyone, whether they came for the chaos or the calm.
With every footstep kicking up desert dust, Day Two became one of those rare festival days you know you’ll never forget.
ED SHEERAN
When Ed Sheeran took the Mojave Stage early in the day, 3:00 PM, the entire polo field transformed into a mass singalong dreamscape. It was just Ed, his guitar, and that looping pedal—proof that sometimes less is absolutely more. His set was heartfelt and intimate yet totally massive, especially as the golden-hour light bathed the stage. It was his first Coachella appearance, and he was clearly excited about it.
He kicked things off with “Castle on the Hill,” and by the time he hit “Photograph,” people were hugging, swaying, and letting the emotions roll. “Shape of You,” got people dancing like it was midnight.
The emotional weight, combined with his effortless charm, made his set one of the most moving of the day. Even in a lineup of bombastic production, Ed’s stripped-down show stood out with sincerity and warmth. By the time he closed with “Bad Habits” the entire field was glowing—inside and out.
ALOK
When Alok hit the Sahara Tent, it was like flipping a switch from chill vibes to pure dancefloor combustion. The Brazilian DJ brought pulsating tribal house, layered with thick basslines and syncopated rhythms that demanded you move.
The first part of his show started with a performance featuring a message of “KEEP ART HUMAN.” His set included choreographed precision by Urban Theory. The performance moved from robotic, tech-inspired visuals to organic, nature-themed sequences.
He opened with “Truth Peace Love Acid” and quickly escalated into a remix of incredible tracks that left people in awe. His seamless blend of melodic build-ups and crushing drops had the tent vibrating from floor to ceiling.
But the best part? He made it feel personal. Between tracks, he threw out heart hands and shouted out “Latinoamérica” to thunderous cheers. By the end, with sweat dripping and fans chanting his name, Alok proved that house music still has the power to unify, no gimmicks, just rhythm and release.
YO GABBA GABBA!
In one of the most unexpected and delightful performances of Saturday, Yo Gabba Gabba! transformed the festival grounds into a technicolor dream that fused childhood joy with grown-up nostalgia. The iconic cast, Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex lit up the stage with infectious energy and vibrant visuals that had millennials and Gen Z festivalgoers dancing like it was 2008 all over again.
Their set blended original show hits like “Yo Gabba Gabbaland!,” “Party in My Tummy,” and “Don’t Bite Your Friends” with surprise dance breaks and guest appearances that had the crowd roaring.
Their beats had everyone dancing and cheering, while the neon characters led synchronized dance routines that united fans of all ages. This wasn’t just a nostalgia trip, it was a full-on party, proving that Yo Gabba Gabba! still knows how to get the good vibes flowing. From the kaleidoscopic visuals to the positive messages, their Coachella set was pure joy—a much-needed reminder that music and dancing should be fun, silly, and shared.
JAPANESE BREAKFAST
Japanese Breakfast brought a dreamy, cinematic set to the Outdoor Stage that felt like a soft-focus film scored live in real-time. Michelle Zauner radiated confidence and joy, floating onto the stage as the band opened with “Honey Water,” and the crowd instantly locked into her lush indie-pop energy.
Strings, synths, and shimmering guitars created a rich soundscape that had people swaying like seaweed in the desert breeze. “Kokomo, IN” turned into a full-blown celebration with coordinated arm waves that filled the field with movement and color. Michelle’s voice was flawless, switching between ethereal and gut-punch vulnerable. She even added “I Love You Always Forever,” by Donna Lewis, to her set list, having the whole crowd sing along.
What made this set stand out was the balance between polished arrangements and raw emotion. Between danceable highs and still, personal moments. Fans new and old found themselves swept away in the waves of sound. When she finished her performance, the crowd stood in silence, soaking in every last note. Japanese Breakfast proved that even in the chaos of a festival, there’s beauty in the quiet.
T-PAIN
T-Pain’s set was a full-on party from the second he appeared on stage! The energy at the Main Stage exploded as he launched into hit after hit, “Up Down (Do This All Day),” “Buy U a Drank,” “Bartender,” and “I’m Sprung” sent everyone into a nostalgia-fueled frenzy.
Backed by a live band and a crew of dancers, T-Pain delivered a performance that was anything but phoned in. His vocals were powerful and rich. The crowd lost it during his mashup of “I’m So Hood” with “Welcome To My Wood”.
He paused mid-set to talk about his love for real instrumentation, and the band kicked into “Don’t Stop Believin’,” by Journey, but with his characteristic style that got even the fringe crowd dancing. His joy was contagious; he smiled from ear to ear, he danced, and was clearly thrilled to be back in the desert.
By the time he closed his set with “All I Do Is Win,” the field was bouncing in unison, fists in the air, shouting every word. T-Pain didn’t just perform, he celebrated, and took all of us with him.
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL & LA PHIL
The Coachella crowd was hushed with anticipation as Gustavo Dudamel took the Outdoor stage with the LA Phil, bringing orchestral magic to the desert like a scene from a dream. It was pure class and pure emotion, and a rare moment of stillness and awe in the festival’s electric atmosphere.
Opening with a dynamic rendition of Richard Wagner’s “Ride Of The Valkyries” song, it didn’t take long for the crowd to erupt in applause. But what followed was even more powerful, a blend of classical staples and modern compositions that echoed with pride and precision. For the second song, Laufey joined him on stage to perform “From The Start.” Pure beauty!
Dudamel conducted with passion and joy, dancing with his baton and smiling at every section of the orchestra. People who’d never seen a symphony before were wide-eyed, swaying, crying, cheering. Highlights of this performance included Natasha Bedingfield singing “Unwritten,” Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso performing “Dumbai,” Dave Grohl singing “The Sky Is a Neighborhood” and ‘Everlong,’ and, to close the show, Cynthia Erivo joined him for “Brick by Brick” and a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
It wasn’t just a performance, it was a cultural reset. Proof that symphonic music absolutely belongs in a space like Coachella. By the final note, everyone stood applauding, many with their hands over their hearts. Dudamel gave us a reminder of the power of live music in its most refined form.
INFECTED MUSHROOM
When Infected Mushroom hit the stage, the Yuma turned into a psychedelic vortex. The Israeli duo didn’t waste a second, within minutes, they had a sea of ravers losing their minds to a relentless wave of psytrance beats, synth solos, and glitchy visuals straight from another dimension.
The duo fused live instrumentation with massive drops such as “Cities Of The Future,” “Come As You Are,” by Nirvana and “Turkish Nights,” seamlessly blending their trance roots with metal, dubstep, and a touch of insanity. Every track got a massive reaction. Their remixed version of their iconic tracks melted brains, accompanied by an explosion of laser lights bouncing through the crowd.
There was a raw, underground energy that made the whole thing feel like a secret rave hidden within the Coachella matrix. Die-hard fans were in trance-mode, but even curious newcomers couldn’t help but get swept up in the chaos.
By the end of the set, everyone looked like they’d just come out of a wormhole, sweaty, ecstatic, and craving more. Infected Mushroom didn’t just play a set—they unleashed an experience.
IVAN CORNEJO
Ivan Cornejo delivered a soul-stirring performance on Saturday that reminded everyone just how powerful raw emotion can be when paired with a guitar and honest lyrics. Taking the stage as the sun began to set, the young regional Mexican sensation turned the festival grounds into a massive heartbreak therapy session, and the crowd couldn’t get enough. With hits like “Dónde Estás?,” “J,” and “Aquí Te Espero,” Cornejo’s raspy voice echoed with vulnerability, connecting deeply with fans who sang every word back in unison.
What made the set unforgettable was not just the music, but the intimacy Ivan created with thousands of people. Despite the massive venue and Charli XCX performing at the same time, it felt as though he was singing directly to each person in the large audience that came to see him. His blend of sierreño and alternative rock influences added a modern twist to traditional sounds, and his emotional honesty cut through the festival noise.
Ivan didn’t need flashy visuals or dance breaks—just his voice and the weight of every lyric.
CLAIRO
Clairo gave us a much-needed pause for reflection with a tender, dreamy set as the golden hour wrapped the Outdoor stage in soft pastels. She opened with “Second Nature,” and the emotional current that swept the crowd was palpable; people hugging, swaying, and singing along with a gentleness rarely found in festival chaos.
Her vocals were warm and delicate, gliding effortlessly over lush guitars and gentle piano lines. “Terrapin” and “Amoeba” became communal moments of release, with thousands of voices echoing back every lyric. The sunset behind her felt perfectly timed, as if the desert paused to admire her quiet brilliance.
Clairo didn’t need pyrotechnics or over-the-top visuals. Her stage presence was understated but powerful, commanding attention with nothing more than honesty and rawness. Between songs, she shyly thanked the audience, clearly touched by the response.
She ended with “Sofia,” stripped down. A rare kind of hush fell over the crowd, like we all knew we’d just experienced something truly special. Clairo reminded everyone that vulnerability is power, and sometimes softness roars the loudest.
ENHYPEN
Enhypen made their Coachella debut with the kind of polished precision and star power that reminded everyone why K-pop continues to take over global stages. From the second the screens lit up with the opening visuals and the first notes of “Blockbuster” hit, the screams could be heard across the entire Empire Polo Club.
Their choreography was tight, their vocals spot-on, and their energy? Unmatched. The group moved like one fluid machine, yet each member had standout moments, especially during “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)” where the desert floor practically rumbled beneath the synchronized stomps and fan chants.
A mid-set outfit change brought in a darker, edgier aesthetic as they launched into “Bite Me,” complete with smoke, flashing lights, and dramatic camera cuts for the livestream. ENGENEs were out in full force, singing along in multiple languages.
They closed their set with “Brought The Heat Back,” offering heartfelt thanks to fans and the Coachella organizers. Their smiles said it all; this wasn’t just a milestone for the group, but a promise that Enhypen is just getting started. It was one of the most visually striking and emotionally charged sets of the entire weekend.
GREEN DAY
Green Day headlined Saturday night with a stadium-level spectacle that was part rock opera, part punk riot, and all legendary. Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool stormed the Main stage to a roar that echoed across Indio, kicking things off with “American Idiot” and setting the tone: loud, defiant, and gloriously chaotic.
The setlist was stacked. “Holiday” turned into a politically charged singalong, while “When I Come Around” had the entire crowd pogoing like it was 1994. Billie Joe was in full frontman mode, running from one side to another, pulling fans on stage to play the guitar and others to sing, and just irradiating good vibes.
The band ripped through “Basket Case,” “Jesus of Suburbia,” and a few deep cuts for longtime fans.
They closed with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” surrounded by a big pyrotechnics display, which was incredible. Bathed in golden light and surrounded by 100,000 voices, it was nostalgic, epic, and emotional—proof that punk’s not dead, and Green Day is still leading the revolution. Hands down, one of the most powerful headlining sets of the weekend.
HORSEGIIRL
HorsegiirL stormed the Mohave Stage at Coachella 2025 like a glitter-covered techno outlaw, delivering a set that was equal parts absurd, euphoric, and absolutely unforgettable. Clad in her signature brown horse mask, with hooves clacking across the decks, she unleashed a hypercharged blend of pounding Eurodance, gabber, and barnyard-themed club bangers that had the entire tent bucking like a mechanical bull. From viral hits like “My Barn My Rules” to her remix of Charli XCX’s “Vroom Vroom” that somehow slapped, the energy was off the charts and never let up.
The visuals? Think My Little Pony meets Berlin warehouse rave—flashing hearts, galloping animations, and rainbow strobes synced perfectly to the BPM. And the crowd? Pure chaos. Cowboy hats flew, glitter rained, and strangers line-danced to 160 BPM techno like it was a hoedown from another dimension. DJ HorsegiirL isn’t just a gimmick—she’s a movement, and her Coachella set proved she’s riding straight into legend status.
2HOLLIS
2hollis hit Coachella like a meteor. The rising underground phenom turned the Mojave Stage into a glitching dreamscape of hyperpop, trap, and electro-noise mayhem. With flashing visuals, pitch-warped vocals, and distorted bass rattling the ground, their set was more than music—it was a sensory takeover. 2hollis stalked the stage like a cyberpunk preacher, launching into hits like “Gold,” “Burn,” and “Two Bad” with unmatched energy.
2hollis emerged from the deep digital underground of SoundCloud and TikTok, carving out a niche between hyperpop, experimental rap, and post-internet aesthetics. Blending distorted vocals, layered beats, and emotional, cryptic lyrics, their sound feels like scrolling through a glitchy dream.
During his performance on Saturday, the crowd didn’t just watch, they became part of the chaos. Mosh pits broke out. Phones went up. People screamed lyrics with religious devotion. It was messy, loud, and absolutely unforgettable. In a lineup packed with polished pop and sleek production, 2hollis reminded everyone that sometimes, the most vital sets are the ones that feel on the edge of falling apart—and then soar.
EL MALILLA
El Malilla brought Mexico City’s wildest street party straight to Coachella with a high-octane set that blended reggaetón, hip-hop, cumbia, and raw barrio swagger. The Sonora Tent was packed with fans ready to move, and move they did—because from the moment El Malilla took the mic, it was a nonstop perreo-fest.
He jumped on stage with “Coronada,” and “G Low Kitty” and the place erupted. Joined on stage by a group of dancers, his presence was electric. His live DJ threw down thick, distorted basslines and old-school Latin club beats while the crowd bounced, waved flags, and screamed lyrics.
Mid-set, El Malilla paused for a shoutout to his roots: “Esto es por toda mi raza, ¡arriba el barrio! I am the proof that everything is possible!” and the audience roared. He then launched into “Mali Sácatela,” pushing the BPM to dizzying heights. Dancers joined again in for the closer, “Todo Tiene SU Final,” and the energy hit peak madness.
It felt like a secret after-hours block party popped up in the middle of the desert. El Malilla didn’t just show up—he claimed space. His performance was a breakthrough moment not just for him, but for the entire new wave of Mexican urbano artists making global noise.
As we wandered out of the Empire Polo Club under a sky dusted with stars and lingering desert heat, one thing was crystal clear: Day Two of Coachella 2025 was unforgettable. From the sun-splashed guitars of Together Pangea to the gritty legends of the Misfits, and the euphoric performance of Travis Scott’s explosive set, we were treated to a lineup that spanned decades, genres, and continents.
The energy pulsed from stage to stage, whether you were moshing, two-stepping, or just soaking it all in from the grass with glitter on your face and a churro in hand. Enhypen brought the future, Ed Sheeran brought the heart, and Green Day reminded us why they’re forever icons.
This wasn’t just about who played, it was about how every single act made us feel. The sweat, the screams, the smiles from strangers, it all fused into that special kind of magic only Coachella delivers.
And as we dragged our tired feet back to our car, and late-night food meal, one phrase was on everyone’s lips: “How is Sunday going to top this?”
Stay hydrated, charge those phones, and we’ll see you on the field for one more day in paradise.
