They called it the influencer festival, a catwalk rather than a music event. And yet, against all odds, Coachella 2025 proved that it remains the epicentre of global pop culture. Despite criticism for a line-up that many labelled ‘the worst line-up ever’, the numbers don’t lie: more than 125,000 daily attendees, livestreams with record audiences and viral moments that defined the weekend. The boho-chic aesthetic was resurrected amidst the desert sand, while post-pandemic minimalism made its way among the celebrities. If you missed it because of jet lag or simply decided to look away, here are the moments that redefined Coachella 2025. Spoiler: it wasn’t all posturing.
1. LLORD(E) IS BACK – SUMMER 2025 IS OFFICIAL
It was a 15-second TikTok that sparked the craze. And three days later, the theory was confirmed: Lorde took to the stage as a surprise guest during Charli XCX’s set, to drop an unreleased verse on the remix of ‘Girl, So Confusing’. More than a collaboration, it was a handover ceremony: the queen of British summer passing the torch to the New Zealander, who let slip, almost unwittingly, that her fourth album is on the way. The result? One of the most viral moments of the weekend and a new chapter for Lorde that is already written in capital letters.
2. JUDELINE: FROM SOUTHERN SPAIN TO THE WORLD
Judeline’s performance was, without exaggeration, a historic moment. The artist from Cadiz made her Coachella debut with a show that fused experimental electronica, Andalusian roots and futuristic aesthetics in equal parts. Dressed in all black with handcrafted flamenco-inspired details – signed by emerging Spanish designers – Judeline shattered all expectations, making it clear that the new pop is coming from the south. Her performance of ‘Canijo’ was a collective catharsis and, according to US media, one of the most powerful discoveries of the weekend. The best? Her rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb”.
3. GAGA VS. GAGA — A GAME OF CHESS IN THE DESERT
Lady Gaga returned to the Californian desert to sign what many are already calling GagaChella 2.0. And she did not disappoint. For almost two hours, the artist traced a timeline between her multiple eras, letting her different versions compete for the throne. The climax came with ‘Poker Face’, when Gaga – literally – played a game of chess against her past self, in a clear nod to Alexander McQueen and his legendary SS2005 show. Maximalist aesthetics, theatricality and message: Gaga took on herself… and won.
4. COOLEST MITIN OF THE YEAR: BERNIE x CLAIRO
Yes, that was Bernie Sanders at the Outdoor Theater. And no, it wasn’t a hologram or performance art. The veteran senator appeared in person to deliver a high-voltage political speech aimed at Gen Z, hours after his rally in L.A. With words aimed squarely against the Trump administration and in favour of the youth vote, Bernie grabbed the audience’s attention just before introducing Clairo, who delivered a performance as intimate as it was incendiary. An unexpected crossover that made it clear that, in 2025, politics and pop are more intertwined than ever.
5. CACTUS JACK x VETEMENTS
Coachella isn’t just music anymore. It’s branding. And no one understood this better than Travis Scott. Without official confirmation until the last minute, the rapper turned the Empire Polo Club into his own theme park: a mini football stadium in collaboration with Nike, limited edition trainers and a pop-up tattoo parlour signed by Vetements. In the middle of the desert, Cactus Jack’s takeover was total, blurring the boundaries between fashion, sport, art and urban culture. The hype materialised, and at times, it seemed like the whole festival revolved around him.
6. GREEN DAY — PUNK ISN’T DEAD
When Green Day took the stage as Saturday’s headliner, few expected it to be a political set. But the Californians had other plans. During ‘Jesus of Suburbia’, Billie Joe Armstrong changed the lyrics to denounce the genocide in Palestine, provoking a mixture of cheers and expectant silence. Then, in ‘American Idiot’, the famous verse changed to directly attack the MAGA agenda. It was a raw, uncomfortable, necessary moment. Coachella, once again, served as a megaphone for uncomfortable voices. And Green Day proved that punk is still resistance.
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