From the weekends of April 10-19, the biggest music festival of the year, known as Coachella, took place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Every year, the festival takes over social media by storm, and serves as a launchpad for some of the most memorable moments in pop culture of the year. From its unforgettable performances, to the stunning decorations and desert atmosphere, Coachella is an experience you won’t want to miss, even if you’re just watching the performances live on YouTube from your couch.
With over 160 performances across seven stages, artists brought an eclectic mix of sounds beyond mainstream pop, including Laufey’s smooth jazz , Subtronics and David Guetta with their EDM beats, and The Strokes delivering their signature indie rock sound. Here are five performances that stood out above the rest.
Returning to the stage just two years after her last Coachella performance in 2024, Sabrina fulfilled her promise of coming back as a headliner. Carpenter called the show her “most ambitious” project yet, and it was one for the books. From the huge “Sabrinawood” display to the classic cars, sprinklers, and prop cigarettes, her performance gave her set a 1950’s aesthetic. The moment that really broke the internet this year was when she brought out the “Queen of Pop” herself, Madonna, during her weekend two set. It felt like a full-circle moment, with two of the most iconic pop female artists of all time performing together.
One of the most loved and hated performances of the year was Justin Bieber’s. He marked his return to the Coachella stage after his 2019 guest appearance with Ariana Grande, with a brief appearance alongside Daniel Caesar and Giveon in 2022. His 2026 performance sparked a lot of controversy, delivering a vibe far removed from what fans had expected. Bieber arrived on stage in casual attire with just a laptop, playing whatever songs his fans called for in the moment. While some called it lazy, it could be argued that the spontaneity was intentional- a way of merging his past and present self through the music from both eras. He also played old bloopers and memes, like the “it’s not clocking to you” meme that went viral last year. In weekend two, Bieber also brought out Billie Eilish to perform “One Less Lonely Girl,” a song performed in some of his earlier tours. The fans enjoyed it, and it was a unique mid-show highlight. Bieber kept the guest appearances coming, bringing out SZA for “Snooze,” Big Sean for “As Long As You Love Me,” and Sexyy Red for “Sweet Spot.”
3. Karol G
As the first Latina to headline Coachella, Karol G delivered a performance that showcased Latino culture and pride. Her set also highlighted female empowerment from leading an all-female mariachi band for “Ese Hombre Es Malo,” alongside a surprise appearance from the Mexican-American artist Becky G, for their collaboration “MAMIII.” Karol’s performance blended Latin pop and reggaeton, playing songs like “Tropicoquetta”, “TQG”, “Provenza”, and “Después de Ti”. Near the end of her set, she announced, “I am Carolina Giraldo from Medellin, Colombia, and today, I am the first Latina woman to headline Coachella!” Just that alone resonated with many Latinos, and her performance reminded fans that diverse cultures deserve to be recognized.
4. KATSEYE
KATSEYE, the viral global girl group made their Coachella debut this year, and their performance truly took over the Sahara stage. Their choreography was sharp, and their vocals hit the notes perfectly. Even with their member Manon’s absence due to her ongoing hiatus, they still delivered and left space for her in songs like “My Way.” The transitions were so smooth, their dance breaks were bold, and their performance was genuinely everything that fans could’ve asked for. From their live debut of their new single, “PINKY UP,” to their synchronized dances and harmonies, they stole the show. One of the most talked about moments in their performance was during weekend one, when they brought out the singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters to perform their Oscar-winning track, “Golden,” on the big stage. It was a sweet moment between the two groups, and an unforgettable performance.
5. Jack White
The White Stripes leader, Jack White performed a surprise 13-song set on the Mojave stage during week one. Fans went crazy, especially given that he wasn’t scheduled to perform at Coachella. The set was named “one of the best of the year” by lots of viewers. He played songs from his bands The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, alongside solo tracks like “That’s How I’m Feeling.” The crowd loved it, and was full of lots of energy. So much that White extended his 45-minute set to an hour to showcase his guitar work. Overall, his performance definitely did not disappoint, and fans really enjoyed his surprise set.
