The 2025 edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival kicked off its first weekend in Indio, California with no shortage of excitement. From Lady Gaga's mind-bending 90-minute headlining set and Missy Elliott's fiery, Transformer-inspired performance on opening night to Post Malone's Sunday closing act and much, much more, the desert became home to a spectacular series of performances.
Just as headliners brought the fantastic to Coachella's multiple stages and artists in smaller text rocked crowds earlier in the day, much of Coachella's excitement on weekend one came from the folks who weren't on the lineup.
Read more: 2025 Music Festivals Guide: Lineups & Dates For Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza & More
In true Coachella fashion, weekend one of Coachella 2025 was filled with surprise guests and special collaborations. From Bernie Sanders introducing Clairo to Charli xcx being joined by not one but three of her close collaborators, read on for 15 of the most talked-about moments from the first weekend in Indio.
Learn more: 11 Must-See Artists At Coachella 2025: Darkside, The Dare, Clairo, Amyl And The Sniffers, Rema & More
Brian May Joins Benson Boone For "Bohemian Rhapsody"
Pop newcomer and 2025 GRAMMYs Best New Artist nominee Benson Boone shocked the crowd on Coachella's first night when Queen guitarist Brian May stepped out to play "Bohemian Rhapsody." The iconic performance featured a touching tribute to Freddie Mercury and marked a generational bridge between classic rock and Gen Z pop.
Bernie Sanders Introduces Clairo
No one expected to hear the words "Feel the Bern" at the Outdoor Theatre on Saturday — but that’s exactly what happened when Bernie Sanders introduced singer/songwriter Clairo. The political icon’s cameo was a reminder that Coachella still knows how to pull off an unexpected moment. In a follow-up post on Instagram, Senator Sanders encouraged "the younger generation" to continue to fight climate change and injustice.
Megan Thee Stallion Brings Out Queen Latifah, Victoria Monét & Ciara
Even a few mic issues couldn't dim Megan Thee Stallion's Coachella set on Sunday. The rapper delivered high-energy choreography and guest appearances, bringing out Queen Latifah for "U.N.I.T.Y.," Victoria Monét for "On My Mama," and Ciara for a medley of Ciara's "Goodies" and Meg's "Roc Steady." Spiritbox lead singer Courtney LaPlante made a pit stop at Coachella along the band's current North American tour to perform their 2024 collab "TYG."
@istillloveher.de UNITY ❤️❤️❤️ #megantheestallion #queenlatifah #coachella #hiphopheads
Laufey, Becky G, LL Cool J & More Join L.A. Phil With Gustavo Dudamel
Under golden-hour skies on Saturday, Gustavo Dudamel led the L.A. Philharmonic through a stunning cross-genre set. Laufey delivered a lush performance of "From the Start," Becky G revisited her early hit "Shower," and Zedd sat in with the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a dramatic orchestral version of "Clarity." The genre-crossing continued with Maren Morris, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, and a choir-backed rendition of "My Church." And finally, LL Cool J closed with "Mama Said Knock You Out" — backed by a full orchestra.
Billie Joe Armstrong & The Go-Go’s Team Up For "Head Over Heels"
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong surprised fans during the Go-Go’s Friday set, joining them for a high-energy rendition of "Head Over Heels." The punk-meets-pop moment earned thunderous applause from multiple generations of fans.
@spin “Holy sh*t, I’m playing with thegogos.” #billiejoearmstrong kicked off #coachella with a bang, performing Head Over Heels with the reunited band
Becky G Joins Tyla For "On My Body"
Tyla’s Friday performance got a boost when Becky G hit the stage to duet on "On My Body." The track, from Tyla’s debut album, felt tailor-made for Coachella’s desert stage.
@enews Becky G and Tyla's Coachella performance is a piece of ART. 🤩 #REVOLVEfestival
Charli xcx Brings Out Lorde, Billie Eilish & Troye Sivan
On Saturday, Charli xcx’s set was already a high-energy highlight — and then it got legendary. Troye Sivan joined for "Talk Talk," Lorde surprised with a duet of their collab "Girl, So Confusing," and Billie Eilish returned for "Guess." Brat summer, activated.
Gesaffelstein & Lady Gaga Unite
Industrial techno artist Gesaffelstein’s brooding Friday set took an unexpected turn when Lady Gaga emerged from the shadows. Gaga seemed to cause a bit of mayhem, pounding the drums and headbanging as Gesaffelstein stood above. Fans are still buzzing about the surprise — and hoping for a future collaboration.
Yo Gabba Gabba’s Wild Coachella Takeover
The kids’ show icons turned the desert into a joyful fever dream on Saturday, bringing out Thundercat, Flavor Flav, Weird Al, Portugal. The Man, and even Duolingo mascot Duo. Paul Williams joined for "Rainbow Connection," and the set became an instant cult classic.
@dperezaudio @Yo Gabba Gabba! had an epic @coachella set! Here they are with @Portugal. The Man, @Thundercat, @Miyavi Lee Ishihara, @Al Yankovic, @David Arquette, @Flavor Flav, @Duolingo, @LA Kings, @Care Bears™ @domo_hq, paulwilliams, @djlancerockog, and @itskamrynsmith! #yogabbagabba #coachella#coachella2025#livemusic#concerttok#musictok#concerts#music#ontour#childrensmusic #festivalseason#festival #portugaltheman #weirdalyankovic #duolingo #carebears #davidarquette #flavorflav #miyavileeishihara #gokingsgo #gkg
♬ Rainbow Connection (with Kermit The Frog) - Barbra Streisand
Mustard’s Guest-Filled Set
2025 GRAMMYs Producer Of The Year nominee Mustard filled his Friday night set in the Sahara tent with a bonanza of surprise guests. Highlights included Ty Dolla $ign, Roddy Ricch, and G-Eazy, turning the DJ’s set into a celebration of West Coast hip-hop.
@real923la #RoddyRicch came out as a surprise guest during Mustard’s set at #Coachella and performed #TheBox 🔥 #iheartradio
Three 6 Mafia Enlist Project Pat, Wiz Khalifa, Travis Barker & mgk
The legendary Three 6 Mafia’s hard-hitting Friday set included surprise appearances from Project Pat, Wiz Khalifa, Travis Barker, and mgk — keeping the crowd on their toes with each guest.
Danny Brown Pops Out During A.G. Cook's Set
During Charli xcx producer A.G. Cook's Friday set, Danny Brown surprised guests for two songs, which featured his 2014 Rustie collab "Attak" and Brown rapping over Charli xcx's "Party 4 U."
Do LaB Rings In 20 Years With Too $hort, Bob Moses, Crankdat
Celebrating 20 years at Coachella, the Do LaB stage unveiled a fresh new look and surprise sets from Bob Moses and Crankdat on Friday. The updated space also hosted standout sets from Andersen .Paak aka. DJ Pee .Wee (with Too $hort), BAMBII, Jyoty B2B Zack Fox, and more.