Pop stars and celebrities turned out in force at Coachella 2023, where Lady Gaga headlined with a mesmerizing performance that kicked off with a dramatic display inspired by her song "Bloody Mary." Fans eagerly crowded to experience this visual spectacle while spotting fellow stars like Blackpink’s Lisa, who proved to be a crowd favorite as she danced along to the K-pop group Enhypen after her own electrifying set.
In a surprise moment, singer Benson Boone brought out music legend Sir Brian May to duet on Queen's classic "Bohemian Rhapsody," captivating festivalgoers with both vocal prowess and acrobatics as he performed a front flip. Celebrity couple Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner was also seen enjoying the festival vibe from the audience, further enhancing the star-studded atmosphere.
Attendees weren't shy to show their love for their favorite artists. Fans adorned in lime green created a lively scene during Charli XCX's performance, where she relived her "brat summer" through hits like "Von Dutch" and "360." The Brit singer also delighted fans by inviting special guests like Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish to join her.
However, access to the festival wasn't without its challenges. Attendees faced significant wait times of up to 12 hours in scorching desert heat due to logistical changes, as the festival swapped its first-come-first-served camping system for a reservation model.
As always, musical festivals like Coachella often serve as platforms for political discourse. Firebrand senator Bernie Sanders took the stage prior to Clairo's set, urging the audience to consider the future of America in light of the challenges they face during Donald Trump's administration. Green Day also made waves by altering some lyrics during their performance to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza, drawing attention to issues surrounding the "Maga agenda."
From Irish rap group Kneecap to chart-topping sensations, the festival continues to harness the strength of music as a form of activism, despite experiencing backlash over issues of influencer overshadowing and incidents of poor performance quality in previous years.
Coachella will continue into next weekend, promising more standout performances and unforgettable moments.
