The second weekend of Coachella 2023 captivated audiences with a diverse lineup of performances that showcased both established stars and rising talents. Highlights included Lady Gaga’s ambitious stage presence, Missy Elliott’s solo display of talent, and nostalgic reunions from beloved bands. The Coachella festival in Indio, California, was alive with possibility. Enthusiasts from all over the world tuned in to witness the spectacle via an unprecedented, concurrent YouTube livestream.
Lady Gaga kicked off her set with a nine-minute, bone-rattling performance of her hit single “Bad Romance”—urban celebratory aesthetic on bewitching display. She has a reputation for productions that spiral into absurdist chaos, such is their grandiose vision. This year, she committed to keeping the show free of industry special guests. This of course has fueled the rumor mill that she is indeed holding some rabbits for the last weekend.
Her set became the most-watched performance on the Coachella Stage. With every moment, it dazzled the audience with stunning visuals and bombastic vocals to support the narrative. Fans in attendance were treated to a spectacular performance. It made good on Gaga’s artistic vision and her commitment to always providing the most memorable of moments.
Meanwhile, Missy Elliott demonstrated how one person can command a stage with her set, proving that her tracks like “Get Ur Freak On,” “Lose Control,” and “Pass That Dutch” still resonate as fresh and futuristic. Her performance commemorated the impact of hip-hop culture, electrifying the audience and setting a tone of empowerment.
Friday night began with Lisa on the bill, who launched into a dazzling and sinuous, highly-choreographed set. She seamlessly blended hard-edged rap cuts such as “Money” and “Lifestyle” with the softer sounds of “Moonlit Floor” and “Dream.” Lisa’s electrifying set the precedent for a thrilling weekend at Coachella.
Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere, Belinda Carlisle reunited with her old band, The Go-Go’s, providing festival-goers with a dose of sun-kissed 1980s nostalgia. Their performance allowed fans to relive classic hits that have transcended generations.
Sam Fender kicked off the main stage with a blistering set, leaving no doubt that the songwriting chops of his recent release, “People Watching,” are in fantastic form. He blew everyone away with a killer version of Journey’s classic “Don’t Stop Believin.’” He confirmed his versatility with a smooth rendition of Chris Stapleton’s country crossover smash “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Fast forward to 2019, when Blackpink broke down barriers again by becoming the first Korean act to headline Coachella. This year, Jennie performed at the Outdoor Theatre at 7:45 PM on Sunday local time, or 3:45 AM on Monday in the UK. These trailblazers remain on the cutting edge, shattering ceilings and growing their worldwide power.
Glam-pop powerhouse Charli XCX attracted one of the weekend’s biggest roars with her sleazy, hedonistic run-through of her breakout album, “Brat.” Her joyous, high-energy performance struck a chord with fans looking for an electrifying return to form.
The LA Philharmonic Orchestra was a particular highlight, taking the stage with gusto. They played what became known as “Gustavo’s mixtape,” under the spectacular young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. This orchestral experience introduced such a delightful mix of sounds and styles and really demonstrated classical music’s flexibility to thrive in modern spaces.
Lola Young captured that sentiment perfectly with her candid remark:
“I’m either going to faint or throw up.” – Lola Young
The second weekend of Coachella 2023 reaffirmed its status as a premier music festival, bringing together diverse acts that spanned genres and generations. With every performance, artists expanded expectations and forged historic moments that will echo long after the final note has sounded.
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