Coachella 2025 has officially wrapped, and it was nothing short of legendary. Held over two weekends in April in Indio, California, the iconic music and arts festival returned with renewed energy, groundbreaking performances, and a lineup that blurred genre lines more than ever before. From surprise appearances to historic firsts, this year’s edition proved once again why Coachella remains the global epicenter of music, culture, and creativity.
Let’s dive into the standout moments, unforgettable performances, and defining highlights that made Coachella 2025 one for the history books.
Headliners That Brought the Heat
1. Rihanna’s Triumphant Return
After years of musical silence, Rihanna made her long-awaited comeback as a headliner on Weekend One. The Barbadian superstar delivered a high-concept set that fused fashion, dance, and cinematic visuals. Opening with a reworked version of “Diamonds,” Rihanna reminded fans why she’s one of the most dynamic performers of her generation.
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Set highlights: A medley of fan-favorites like “Work,” “Umbrella,” and “We Found Love”
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Special moments: A surprise guest appearance by A$AP Rocky for their track “Fashion Killa”
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Impact: Social media exploded, with #RihannaIsBack trending for 48 hours straight
2. Bad Bunny Makes History Again
Latin trap icon Bad Bunny returned to headline Coachella for a second time, cementing his status as a global force. His performance mixed reggaeton anthems with socio-political visuals about Puerto Rican identity and climate justice.
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Set highlights: “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Moscow Mule,” and a cumbia-infused remix of “Yo Perreo Sola”
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Special guests: Karol G and J Balvin brought Latin power to the stage in electrifying cameos
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Cultural impact: Delivered a bilingual monologue mid-set about representation in music and media
3. SZA’s Sonic Fairytale
SZA’s ethereal presence on the Coachella main stage was a perfect match for her dreamy, genre-bending music. With a set designed like a mythical forest, she performed hits from SOS and Ctrl, blending neo-soul, alt-R&B, and indie pop.
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Stage design: A stunning backdrop of floating lanterns, interactive trees, and glowing fog
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Vocal performance: Pitch-perfect and emotionally raw, especially during “Kill Bill” and “Good Days”
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Surprise duet: Phoebe Bridgers joined for an acoustic version of “Ghost in the Machine”
Breakout Moments & Rising Stars
1. Chappell Roan’s Unforgettable Set
Coachella 2025 might be remembered as the year Chappell Roan became a household name. The rising pop provocateur owned the Gobi Tent with a flamboyant, theatrical performance that channeled the spirit of Lady Gaga’s early years.
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Costume changes: Five different looks in a single set, including a rainbow latex jumpsuit
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Setlist: Highlights from her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
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Audience reaction: Fans lined up for hours—many in matching glam-rock outfits
2. Tyla Brings Amapiano to the Desert
South African artist Tyla brought infectious energy with her unique blend of amapiano, R&B, and Afrobeat. Her dance-centric set had the Mojave Tent pulsing from start to finish.
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Set highlights: “Water,” “Butterflies,” and a viral choreography moment during “Truth or Dare”
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Cultural resonance: A celebration of African rhythms and diaspora soundscapes
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Fashion buzz: Tyla’s custom Balmain outfit became a festival fashion favorite
3. Fred again.. Elevates Electronic Performance Art
British producer Fred again.. continues to redefine the EDM landscape with his live, loop-based sets. At Coachella 2025, he turned the Sahara Tent into an emotional rave sanctuary.
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Live looping: Sampling real-time crowd audio and spoken word clips to build soundscapes
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Emotional beats: Tracks like “Delilah (Pull Me Out of This)” and “Danielle (Smile On My Face)” brought many to tears
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Visual storytelling: LED displays that reacted in real-time to audience energy and sound levels
Iconic Surprise Appearances
Coachella is known for its surprise guests, and 2025 delivered in full:
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Beyoncé & Blue Ivy: A surprise appearance during Megan Thee Stallion’s set, where they performed a remix of “Savage” and Beyoncé’s “Run the World” with Blue Ivy leading a dance break.
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Travis Scott & Kanye West: The two reunited during Travis’s late-night set on Weekend Two, performing “Praise God” and a new unreleased track.
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Olivia Rodrigo & Paramore: Rodrigo stunned fans by joining Paramore for a punk-pop rendition of “Misery Business,” echoing their viral 2022 collaboration.
Visual Art & Immersive Installations
Coachella isn’t just about music—it’s a full sensory experience. The 2025 festival featured some of the most ambitious art installations to date:
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“Bloomfield” by Refik Anadol: A swirling, AI-generated floral data sculpture that changed shape with sound vibrations from nearby stages.
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“Lucid Garden”: A 3D-projected, walk-through ecosystem of light and plant life, sponsored by Meta and created by a team of digital artists and environmentalists.
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“Solara Sphere”: A climate-conscious kinetic structure that harnessed solar energy to create nighttime laser shows.
These installations offered festival-goers places to cool down, recharge (literally and emotionally), and snap Instagram-worthy photos.
Festival Fashion: Maximalist, Retro, and Genderless
This year’s Coachella fashion saw a move away from boho chic toward hyper-maximalist, nostalgic, and gender-fluid expression. Trends included:
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2000s nostalgia: Cargo pants, butterfly clips, mesh tops
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Cyberpunk and rave-core: LED accessories, reflective textures, iridescent makeup
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Gender-fluid fashion: Flowing skirts on men, tailored suits on women, and a shared love for bold color
Brands like Diesel, Heaven by Marc Jacobs, and Telfar dominated the scene, while sustainable fashion pop-ups underscored the festival’s growing eco-consciousness.
A Note on Sustainability
In response to growing environmental criticism, Coachella 2025 made visible strides in sustainability:
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Hydration stations and reusable cup systems: Reduced single-use plastic by 75% compared to previous years
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Solar-powered stage lighting: Used for several stages, including Outdoor Theatre
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Carbon offset ticket options: Festival-goers could opt to offset their travel impact when purchasing passes
While there’s still work to be done, this year marked a promising shift toward more responsible festival culture.
Why Coachella Still Matters
In an age when festivals are increasingly commodified, Coachella 2025 reminded us that spectacle and substance can still coexist. It wasn’t just about who had the biggest pyrotechnics or most viral moment—it was about artistry, intention, and connection.
Whether it was a Rihanna return 9 years in the making, a young star’s breakout, or a surprise Beyoncé appearance, this year’s Coachella proved that the desert still knows how to deliver magic. As the sun set over Indio and the final beats echoed across the fields, one thing became clear: Coachella is evolving—but its heartbeat remains the same.
