Coachella's Crossroads
Probably the most relevant festival of the last few decades, Coachella's popularity has made it an important event for pop culture and music. Each year, there is something to unpack related to the festival's overall impact, what will be remembered later on, and how it stands in this stage of the world and the music scene.
Born as a festival for alternative music back in 1999 in Southern California, far removed from the concept that we know today, Coachella was actually born out of rebellion against the unfair ticket-selling industry. Years later, the festival evolved, gaining more popularity between 2001 and 2006, and experiencing its major glow-up in the 2010s. Everyone remembers its peak in 2012 with iconic boho outfits and flower crowns, celebrity fashion, etc., and ever since, it has sparked conversation about what the festival has to offer.
The 2025 edition of Coachella presented several notable moments, the most relevant being:
A Shift in Festival Fashion: Unlike previous years, bold fashion statements were notably absent from the audience. Minimalism appears to have taken hold, and left no room for the festival to be a platform for outfit experimentation. Theories suggest a ranging from a potential recession to a rise in cultural conservatism, but the result was a lack of memorable fashion trends.
Pop Star Debuts and Audience Disconnect: Headliners like Tyla, Lisa, and Jennie delivered energetic debuts with typical pop choreography. However, Benson Boone sparked controversy, highlighting the disconnect within the audience's engagement. His Queen tribute, featuring Brian May, received an unexpectedly quiet response, prompting discussion about the lack of excitement and commitment during live performances – a phenomenon seemingly affecting other artists as well.
Green Day's Punk Revival: Green Day offered a potent reminder of punk's essence. Their performance featured iconic hits alongside protest statements in support of Palestine, notably altering lyrics in "Jesus of Suburbia" and declaring "I'm not part of a MAGA agenda" in "American Idiot."
Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong at Coachella 2025 weekend 2 by Greg Schneider @paranoidtrooper © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The end of Brat Summer: Charli XCX has concluded the "Brat" era, likely marking one of 2024's most defining pop moments. The album, with its raw and gritty rave and club sound, culminated in a final performance where Charli suggested it was "time for a different kind of summer," naming artists like Lorde, Haim, Addison Rae, and Kali Uchis, among others.
Charli xcx final show at Coachella 2025 weekend 2 by @charli_xcx © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Lady Gaga's Legacy Continues: Lady Gaga undeniably aimed to make history with a strong match blending fashion, performance, and originality. Her show was a powerful retrospective of her greatest hits combined with “the manifesto of Mayhem,” staged with a potentially disruptive visual design. With a striking palette of red, white, and black, Gaga reaffirmed her status as a leading force in pop music. Her signature extravagance appears to be precisely what the contemporary pop scene needs.
Lady Gaga performing “Paparazzi” at Coachella 2025 weekend 2, by @sarahtannomakeup © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The general perception of Coachella 2025 is that the festival continues to be relevant and a huge part of the music scene. However, the shift in audience fashion and the moments of disconnect during performances suggest an evolving dynamic between artist and attendee. Nevertheless, the potent energy of Green Day's punk revival and the boundary-pushing artistry of Lady Gaga offer glimpses of exciting possibilities for music and performance.
