Coachella ERUPTS: Gaga’s Jaw-Dropping Show, Surprise Queen Reunion & More!

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In the chronicles of Coachella yet to be penned, the inaugural day of the 2025 event is expected to be marked by two significant events: first, the scorching heat exceeding 100 degrees that made the early hours a tough trek even for die-hard enthusiasts of the desert festival; second, and more significantly, Lady Gaga’s exceptional headlining performance, arguably one of the most spectacular and elaborate shows ever presented on Coachella’s grandest stage.

Lady Gaga’s debut performance for her latest album, “Mayhem,” was structured into five acts, each with fittingly dramatic titles like “And She Fell Into A Gothic Dream” and “The Beautiful Nightmare that Knows Her Name.” The show appeared to tell a semi-continuous story where Gaga seemed to abandon her Mother Monster character, but it resurfaced by the end.

In this version, I’ve tried to maintain the original structure while making it more accessible and natural for reading.

From the get-go, it was evident that Gaga aimed high in her performance: she began by singing “Bloody Mary” from a towering stage centerpiece, which was actually a multi-storey dress on a dark, gothic stage. Inside this costume, dancers struggled to break free, symbolizing a fashion prison. The stage was decorated to resemble an ancient theater, featuring gargoyles and Roman columns, with musicians strategically placed – a hidden string section in one window, a powerful drummer and bassist in another, ready-to-go guitarists, and numerous dancers executing mesmerizing moves. From a choreographed rise from the dead reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” to a life-sized chessboard battle during “Poker Face” that turned into a deadly game, to a brutal war-march during “Born This Way,” the performance was packed with one breathtaking moment after another.

At one instance, an enigmatic DJ named Gesaffelstein appeared, accompanied by two keyboards, to perform “Killah” and further enhance the show’s grandeur. The entire scene had a strikingly cinematic feel, and it was as if we were watching a concert film. Some parts of the performance, particularly the chess match, were designed with both the online audience and the crowd on the field in mind, who were guided towards video screens to fully experience the spectacle.

During her performance,” Gaga announced, right before playing “Alejandro”, “I’ve decided to construct an opera house especially for you, right in the heart of the desert.” It’s tough to imagine how this spectacle will adapt to the massive arenas and stadiums she’ll perform at later this year. However, it seemed tailored specifically for Coachella’s audience, joining the ranks of artists who have delivered extraordinary Coachella headline sets that transcend mere tour stops (like Beyonce and Prince). Her performance was the kind that has earned Coachella its reputation as the festival king for over two decades. Whether this is part of a larger plan remains to be seen, but for the 100,000 spectators on the Polo Field, it certainly seemed like it.

Absolutely, Lady Gaga wasn’t the only performer to captivate the crowd: just prior to taking the main stage, Missy Elliott continued her triumphant tour, rocking the space-themed party that made her tour last year so enjoyable and demonstrating that songs like “Work It” and “Lose Control,” which are over 20 years old, remain timeless and visionary. Blackpink’s LISA, also known as Mook from ‘The White Lotus’, showed her solo artist prowess during the live premiere of her song “Lifestyle” in the Sahara Tent, and even gave a shout-out to her trendy HBO show from the stage.

Brian May, guitarist for Queen, unexpectedly joined a gospel choir, assisting up-and-coming artist Benson Boone in performing both “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and his own song “Beautiful Things”. He played with finesse and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself on stage. Meanwhile, Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day (who leads their long-standing punk-pop group at Saturday’s event) teamed up with the Go Go’s for a rendition of “Head over Heels” on the Outdoor Theater. Despite some sound issues, he skillfully brought together two generations of punk music.

At Ireland’s Kneecap performance, the crowd was sent into a whirlwind with their energetic, fast-paced Gaelic hip-hop. Meanwhile, fresh talent Lola Young ignited a massive chant of her popular track “Messy”, following a brief bout of stage sickness earlier – evidently affected by nerves and overheating. Amidst a day that felt like being inside a boiler, everyone understood her predicament.

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2025-04-12 22:54