Updated ,first published
The 25th edition of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is under way, more than a quarter of a century after it first kicked up dust in the southern Californian desert in 1999.
Once dubbed the “anti-Woodstock”, the two-weekend celebration of music has evolved much from its bohemian roots to become a far more commercial, influencer-studded affair (although the palm tree-studded skyline and blustering winds have remained). Still, it remains a cornerstone of the music-festival calendar and a producer of viral artistic moments (think Beyoncé’s history-making “Beychella” headline performance in 2018).
These are the biggest moments from the festival so far.
You better belieb it: Justin returns to Coachella with divisive set
Justin Bieber’s return to the Coachella stage (his first as a headliner for the festival) following a surprise cameo in 2022 before he stopped touring amid a health battle later that year, was a nostalgic moment for ageing Millennials worldwide.
The 32-year-old, whose rapid rise to fame as a tween set young girls’ hearts ablaze, has been plagued by speculation about his mental health of late. His mammoth performance last night marked his biggest live show in four years.
After starting his set with some newer music from 2025 albums Swag and Swag II, Bieber then pivoted to a trip down memory lane, giving the crowd what they were really there for.
“How far back do you go?” he asked the audience, before launching into some of his biggest hits.
As YouTube videos of himself played behind him (seemingly a nod to the platform on which he was discovered), Bieber sang favourites like Baby, Sorry and Beauty and the Beat, harmonising with his younger self.
Bieber was later joined by musical guests including Sydney rapper The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, Tems and Dijon.
Bieber also appeared to address rumours about his mental health head on, playing a viral clip in which he confronts a photographer, saying, “It’s not clocking to you, I’m standing on business.” (T-shirts emblazoned with this phrase were also on sale).
Notable celebrity Beliebers spotted in the crowd include Aussie heartthrob Jacob Elordi and couples Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet, and Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau.
Bieber’s wife, skincare mogul Hailey Bieber, was of course present in the audience after a busy day promoting her brand Rhode to festival goers.
But not everyone was so enamoured with Bieber’s performance, with some branding his pared back style “lazy” (unlike fellow headliner Sabrina Carpenter, his set was largely devoid of theatrics, with the star crouching to play videos on his laptop).
“The f—ing secondhand embarrassment it gives me that you’re the highest-paid artist in Coachella history and you couldn’t give less of a shit about absolutely everything, you show up on stage in a ratty hoodie and play background videos from a laptop like this is some dive bar in Cuenca …” wrote one Twitter user.
Bieber is rumoured to have been paid $US10 million (about $14 million) for his performance.
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson also cast shade on the minimal set, posting a video on TikTok with the caption, “It’s giving let’s smoke and watch YouTube”.
Sabrina Carpenter brings out Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, Samuel L. Jackson
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is not known for her subtlety, and her headlining Coachella performance on Friday was anything but.
The Manchild singer transformed the desert stage into a maximalist fantasy (nicknamed “Sabrinawood”) for a 90-minute performance full of theatrics, burlesque-inspired costumes (designed by Dior’s Jonathan Anderson) and the 26-year-old’s signature innuendos.
Carpenter last performed at the festival in 2024, and in the time since, her star has only continued to rise.
“I can’t believe I’m headlining Coachella!” she cried to a roaring crowd. “Actually, I can … but it’s nicer to say that, right?”
Her set was punctuated by a string of celebrity cameos, including a short film starring Susan Sarandon as an older Carpenter, a voiceover from Samuel L. Jackson and a live appearance from comedian Will Ferrell as an electrician.
Despite the highs, her performance was also marked by controversy after she dissed a fan’s cultural cry.
“I think I heard someone yodel. Is that what you’re doing?” Carpenter asked in response to a cry from the crowd, before saying, “I don’t like it.”
“It’s a call! It’s a call of celebration!” the crowd member explained, with Carpenter responding, “Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird.”
Online fans have identified the cry as a zaghrouta, a traditional Arabic expression of joy often heard at weddings and celebrations.
Carpenter has since taken to X to apologise, writing:
“My apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly. my reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. could have handled it better! now i know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”
Girl group Katseye perform without Manon amid hiatus drama
Girl group Katseye made their Coachella debut sans sixth member Manon Bannerman, performing hits Gnarly, Touch and Mean Girls.
In February the group announced 23-year-old Swiss member Bannerman would be taking a temporary leave of absence to “focus on her health and wellbeing”.
However, some online commentators have speculated Bannerman’s departure may be for reasons broader than health. As the only black member of Katseye, eagle-eyed fans spotted Bannerman liking an Instagram post addressing the racism black members of girl groups have historically faced. Neither Bannerman nor Katseye have responded to these rumours.
Often referred to as the first “global girl’s group” due to its members hailing from Switzerland, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States, Katseye have had a banner few years with a string of hit singles and brand deals (the group appeared in a viral advertising campaign for GAP last year).
Despite the controversy swirling around them, Katseye delivered an electric, high-energy set, bringing out KPop Demon Hunters singers Rei Ami, Ejae and Audrey Nuna to perform hit song Golden, fresh off its Oscar win for best original song last month.
Snoop Dogg drops new single (like it’s hot)
Snoop Dogg loves popping up in unexpected places almost as much as he loves a name change.
After serving as the first-ever honorary coach for Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, the 54-year-old made a surprise appearance during French DJ and music producer Hugel’s afternoon set.
Microphone in one hand, obligatory joint in the other, the legendary rapper took the stage to perform his 1999 Dr Dre collaboration The Next Episode.
Capitalising on the moment, Snoop dropped new single 10 Til’ Midnight on streaming platforms during his live performance.
Teddy Swims with the stars
Lose Control singer Teddy Swims seemed unsatisfied with having the stage all to himself, bringing out an eclectic trio of artists to christen his Coachella debut.
The 33-year-old was joined by ’80s rocker David Lee Roth of Van Halen fame (surprisingly, his first time on the Coachella stage), former Disney star Joe Jonas and A Thousand Miles singer Vanessa Carlton.
Speaking backstage with the Los Angeles Times, Roth seemed delighted to be there.
“I call him Teddy. Teddy Swims is one of the best names ever – everybody’s saying it. All around in the city here are visitors from Germany, Holland, Japan, China, and they all know that name,” he said.
Swims and Roth performed Van Halen’s hit single Jump, the Jonas Brothers’ When You Look Me in My Eyes and Carlton’s A Thousand Miles
