My Coachella confessions
Everything you need to know about my three days of partying in the desert
So, I just got back from Coachella, and I think I left a piece of my soul somewhere between the Sahara tent and the porta-potties. I also might have the flu. Or dust lung. Or a very specific form of dehydration that only happens after walking 40 miles in boots you thought were “broken in.”
But let me be clear: I had the time of my life.
If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on at music’s most chaotic, Instagrammed, and star-studded festival, you’re reading the right article. This isn’t a VIP recap or some influencer “get ready with me” moment. I went GA. I danced. I cried. I questioned all of my life choices in the cold while waiting for Travis Scott merch I didn’t even want.
Coachella is a sun-soaked, dust-covered fever dream where you’re constantly teetering between euphoria and total collapse. One moment you’re crying under the stars to Charli XCX, the next you’re questioning your will to live in line for a $31 margarita. It’s overstimulating, chaotic, spiritual—and totally worth it. So let’s get into it: the good, the bad, the crusty, and the Gaga.
If Weekend 1 is the influencer Olympics, Weekend 2 at Coachella felt like the true-fans’ turn. Here’s a list of the top pop-culture moments that went down.
The Marías turned the festival into an art exhibit, delivering a set that was as much about visuals as it was about sound. The stage looked euphoric.
Yo Gabba Gabba at the Mojave tent. Okay? Adults belting “Party in My Tummy” on mushrooms? Sure. Not weird at all…
Benson Boone, the king of the flip, brought out a cardboard cutout of Queen’s Brian May to his stage. Kinda weird. I didn’t see him perform, but I could definitely hear him. That man can PROJECT.
Deadmau5, under his alias "Testpilot," made headlines for the wrong reasons when he seemingly blacked out mid-set. He was caught on video napping at the Quasar stage. He later joked on Instagram, "Even my cat is disappointed in me," which, same. But I guess he’s crying all the way to the bank, so I don’t feel to bad.
Flavor Flav kicked off Green Day’s set in a pink bunny costume; But while his entrance got the crowd’s attention, the rest of the set didn’t quite match the hype. Good fireworks, though.
In a nod to the festival’s artistic side, the inflatable flower garden became an oasis for festival-goers. Definitely my favorite installation. Underneath the 32-foot flowers, people sprawled out on bean bags, falling into deep, peaceful naps—because sometimes, the best part of Coachella is a good ole’ sit.
Tyla had a moment when her outfit sparked comparisons to Britney Spears. While she quickly denied any direct inspiration, her bold fashion choice definitely turned heads and got fans talking.
Lady Gaga showed us how to handle a technical issue like a pro when her mic cut out during her Friday night set. With a dancer handing her a new one, Gaga seamlessly carried on with her performance, proving why she’s one of the best in the game. She finished her set with a nod to herself (as she should), saying “well, at least you know I sing live!” We never doubted you queen.
The LA Philharmonic, featuring performances by Cynthia Erivo, Laufey, and Natasha Bedingfield. Sounded heavenly. I’m upset I missed this moment, but then Zedd brought the LA Phil to play the Severance theme song into Clarity. It was at that moment I levitated out of my body.
Let’s not forget the celebrities spotted in the crowd—Kylie, Kesha, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Julia Fox, and Paris Hilton all made appearances. I didn’t see one of them, but my friends did take a selfie with Bowen Yang.
Now, let’s dive into what went down for moi in the desert...
Here’s my favorite sets in order, and why each one was special (or not).
1. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s set at Coachella was nothing short of a religious experience. It was hands down the best performance of the weekend and possibly one of the best shows I’ve ever witnessed. Over the course of two hours, she blended everything from her iconic "Poker Face" and "Bad Romance" eras to hits like "Judas," "Born This Way," and "Shallow." Her choreography, acting, and vocal talent were flawless, even when faced with a mic issue—she turned it into a seamless moment of pure professionalism. Watching her rise from the stage like a glittery phoenix under the desert sky truly healed my inner teen.
2. Charli XCX
Charli XCX brought the energy, and I’m pretty sure 10,000 of my steps on Saturday were thanks to her set. Hearing “I Love It” and “Party 4 U” live, surrounded by thousands of sweaty people screaming the lyrics, was pure euphoria. When she performed her BRAT tracks—especially “Guess”—I was jumping so hard that my dress tore, but I didn’t even care. Addison Rae briefly joined her on stage in a retro pink polka dot outfit to perform her “Von Dutch” remix, and though I was a bit bummed we didn’t get more surprise guests (I mean, Weekend 1 got Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan and Lorde!), at least we got “Party 4 U.” Charli also used her platform to pay tribute to fellow artists, flashing a list of names like Rosalía, A$AP Rocky, and Perfume Genius—celebrating the next wave of cultural influencers and officially saying goodbye to Brat Summer. RIP.
3. Zedd
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Did anyone at Coachella have more fun than Zedd? I seriously doubt it. He jumped from the DJ booth to the drum kit, snuck in emotional piano solos, and pulled out surprise guests like he had a magician on retainer.
About three-quarters into his set, he hit pause on the EDM and brought out Incubus for a full-blown rock detour. Zedd hopped on drums as they ripped through “Drive,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Pardon Me,” turning the Outdoor tent into a full-on alt-rock fever dream. It wasn’t totally my vibe—and it definitely pulled me out of the moment—but I’ve got to respect his love for all genres and the way he honors every kind of music fan.
The rest of the set felt like flipping through the best parts of a sonic scrapbook. He ran through his greatest hits, songs that instantly transported me to high school basement parties, dropped a Radiohead cover (“Everything In Its Right Place”), leaned into his Telos era with new tracks like “Tangerine Rays” and “Out of Time” (with Bea Miller!), and even reunited with Alessia Cara for “Stay.”
But the real emotional peak?? When he sat at the piano, played the Severance theme, and let it melt seamlessly into “Clarity” as the LA Philharmonic swelled behind him. I cried. You cried. Pretty sure Zedd cried. It was part rave, part symphony, and completely unforgettable. No question—highlight of the weekend.
4. Alesso B2B Gorgon City / Kaskade x Idris Elba
Both golden-hours at the Quasar stage felt like the DJ B2Bs were trying to win MVP of the weekend, and they really could have! On Saturday, Kaskade and Idris Elba teamed up for a nearly four-hour B2B set that felt like a Vegas pool party met Berghain in the desert. Kaskade brought seasoned finesse while Elba brought the swagger, and together they served high-effort fun. The crowd went wild, and I’m giving all the respect where its due for actor (and now top DJ?) Idris Elba. That man knows what the hell he’s doing (and looked good while doing it).
Then on Sunday, Quasar worked its magic all over again. Alesso x Gorgon City played a set so good it physically rejuvinated me. We had space to actually dance and the trio kept us there until the sky turned pink and our legs gave out. We tried to leave like six times to go to Zedd, but kept failing. The music was too good, and the vibes were too high. And the crowd was so kind and communal.
The common thread? Both nights felt intentional. Like these DJs wanted us to have a good time and weren’t afraid to work for it. And at a festival where effortless cool can sometimes border on, well, effort-less… that mattered.
5. Sammy Virji, Disco Lines, Mau P
My holy trinity of DJs this year take fifth place. Their sets at the Do Lab and Sahara stages had me grooving like I was hit with an electric shock. Even if house music isn’t your thing, the visuals were worth staying for. Fabric installations hung above us like technicolor jellyfish and the crowd couldn’t stop dancing.
Special shoutout to Sammy Virji at the Sahara. The man stole the show. I was dead sober (since his set was early in the day) and still I’ve never seen a crowd jump like that. Also Sammy, fantastic job with the B2B Salute set at DoLab. That collab deserves a Grammy, a Nobel Peace Prize, and a lifetime supply of Red Bull so it can go on forever. It was that good.
Also, shoutout to Disco Lines for being, like, so hot. I’ll leave it at that.
Last on the list for me= Keinemusik
Keinemusik, the Berlin-based collective known for crossing electronic genres, played Coachella 2025—and let’s just say, they tried…I think? Their Sahara set was a big deal for the group, but honestly, it felt like they were phoning it in. It was the biggest time slot of the biggest day of the weekend (during Travis Scott) , and I found myself forcing a dance instead of naturally grooving. I think they were trying to keep the influencer crowd happy, but every drop was a disappointment. And there were so many phones. It was giving…weekend 1.
On the bright side, I did get on my friend’s shoulders, which was dope, and their peace sign set design was sick. That’s about all I’ve got for you.
Here are the things no one warns you about.
One, your feet will hurt. Seriously, my body has never been so sore. We walked over 40 miles across the weekend, and by Day 3, I had no choice but to wear my brand-new white Solomons. Boots? Ripped and retired. Also, don’t be fooled by the sunshine—Friday night was freezing. If the weather even whispers “windy,” bring a sweatshirt or rent a locker. I was shaking in line for Travis Scott merch and genuinely questioning every life choice that led me there.
Fashion-wise, it’s so fun to experiment and get crazy-with-it, but comfort is key. The one day I wore a flowy dress was my least favorite—I couldn’t dance, couldn’t go on shoulders, couldn’t breathe without adjusting something. So yes, take your photos (I did too, the place is stunning), but make sure your outfit lets you move, because you will want to.
Now, let’s talk logistics. I stayed in an Airbnb with seven girls in La Quinta, and let me tell you: best decision ever. The shuttle pass was a game-changer—lines were never too long, and getting around was so easy. Plus, we had a cute house with a pool that was affordable and so fun. It was the perfect home base for a bunch of girls who wanted to be close to the action but not stuck in it.
Coachella, as it turns out, is the ultimate bonding experience. My friends and I had so many moments of crying happy tears, just grateful to be there together. Our friend Maggie even surprised us with friendship bracelets on Saturday night, and let’s just say, I was not prepared for the waterworks that followed. It’s one of those rare experiences you’ll carry with you forever.
From a cultural lens, Coachella is massive—installations, fireworks, food (though, like, my wallet’s recovering from the drinks and snacks)—it really is a playground. The influencer energy wasn’t as intense as I expected (Weekend 2 vibes), and honestly, everyone just seemed genuinely hyped to be there. The crowd was buzzing, and the festival was so well-run. I was honestly impressed by how seamless it all felt.
Would I go again? 100%. Would I change how I prepared? Absolutely. The dust did a number on my throat, my face is still recovering, and I had to sit down a few times to process the sensory overload. But I wouldn’t trade it. Coachella isn’t just about headliners or who wore what. It’s about a place where sound and spectacle collide in a way that genuinely moves you. Where strangers become dance partners. Where your high school anthems meet the person you’ve become. It’s overwhelming. It’s magical. It’s a lot.
But sometimes, a lot is exactly what you need!
Me right now, if you even care
Enjoyed this one. Keinemusik’s fan base is now overtaken by phone zombies. Worst vibes, anywhere they go.
Quasar has massive problems with sound quality. Did you hear them? https://open.substack.com/pub/magicaldancefloors/p/at-quasar-coachellas-soul-for-sale