Strobe lights, pulsing bass, and a sea of fans in “Brat” T-shirts set the tone as English pop sensation Charli XCX lit up the Coachella stage on Saturday night. The Grammy-winning artist brought her signature club-inspired energy to the desert, captivating the audience with high-octane tracks and surprise appearances by friends and collaborators.
Reuniting with Troye Sivan, with whom she toured in 2024 during the “Sweat Tour,” Charli thrilled fans with a performance of “Talk Talk.” She kept the momentum going with crowd favorites like “365,” “360,” and “Von Dutch,” songs from her influential “Brat” album that took over TikTok and pop culture last summer. Joining the electric atmosphere were fellow artists Billie Eilish and Lorde, each contributing to the all-star vibe of her set.
Taking the stage after Charli XCX, punk rock veterans Green Day brought a dose of political commentary to their performance. Never shy about voicing their opinions, the band adapted the lyrics of their hit “American Idiot” to reflect current issues. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong modified the original “I’m not a part of a redneck agenda” to “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda,” making a direct statement about U.S. politics. Later in the set, the line “Runnin’ away from pain when you’ve been victimized” was changed to “Run away from pain, like the kids from Palestine,” drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Green Day continued their trend of on-stage activism, as seen earlier this year in Australia when they targeted U.S. Vice President JD Vance during a live show. The band’s setlist featured fan favorites like “Wake Me Up When September Ends” and “Know Your Enemy,” blending punk nostalgia with current issues.
Capping off the night was rapper Travis Scott, whose entrance was slightly delayed but well worth the wait. A brass band announced the start of his performance, followed by stunning visuals that included fire bursts and aerial stunts with suspended dancers. Scott delivered intense renditions of “Skyfall” and “Highest in the Room,” joined by rappers Playboi Carti and Don Toliver.
The first weekend of Coachella 2025 wrapped up with unforgettable moments and powerful performances, setting the stage for a thrilling second weekend from April 18–20.
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