Record Temperatures Set the Stage
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returned with record-breaking temperatures above 39°C. Forecasts predict highs of 103°F for both weekends. The unusual heat exceeds typical April averages by up to 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The festival spans two weekends, 11–13 April and 18–20 April. It continues at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Each day, organisers expect crowds of around 125,000 people.
Lady Gaga Headlines with Anticipated Return
Lady Gaga will headline both Friday nights of the festival. Her performance begins at 11:10 p.m. local time on 11 and 18 April. Gaga last headlined Coachella in 2017. During that year, she also filmed scenes for A Star Is Born.
In a recent interview, she stated, “I genuinely don’t want to give anything away about Coachella. I know that is heartless of me, in a way, but I could honestly cry on the phone with you just thinking about how excited I am to do this show, and I want it to be a total surprise, and want everyone to have as much fun as possible.”
Figure 1: Lady Gaga’s Performance in Coachella 2017
Gaga confirmed she would perform songs from her new album Mayhem as well as older hits. She described the show as “an opportunity to do something unique and special”.
Streaming Access for Global Fans
YouTube will livestream the performances starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. Fans can switch between multiple stages from their homes. A vertical stream featuring DJ sets will be available.
YouTube also introduced the “Watch With” feature this year. It allows creators to offer live commentary and audience engagement.
Nostalgia and New Sounds Blend in Lineup
The 2025 lineup showcases veteran and emerging artists across genres. The headliners—Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone—boast 24% more global Spotify streams than last year’s top acts.
Green Day and Post Malone will perform major sets throughout the weekend.
The newer generation includes artists like Lola Young, Shaboozey, Amyl and the Sniffers, Rema, underscores and Glorilla.
Classic acts such as Jimmy Eat World, Missy Elliott, Kraftwerk, Basement Jaxx and the Go-Gos also return.
The Prodigy will play for the first time since Keith Flint’s death in 2019. Band member Liam Howlett told the Los Angeles Times, “I will say that us carrying on isn’t a Keith tribute show. We want to honour him, and we will continue to do that, because Keith is more than just a person they saw on stage. Even though he wasn’t a musician, he was such an important person in the studio as a right-hand man.”
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Weezer Moves Ahead Despite Legal Controversy
Weezer remains scheduled to perform despite ongoing controversy. Bassist Scott Shriner’s wife, Jillian Lauren, was recently shot by police.
Authorities claim she aimed a handgun at officers investigating a hit-and-run incident. She now faces attempted murder charges.
Scott told reporters, “See you at Coachella” on Thursday.
Artist Withdrawals Due to Visa Issues
FKA twigs withdrew from the lineup because of visa complications. Her production team reportedly failed to submit the correct paperwork in time.
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The artist shared on Instagram that she felt “devastated” by the cancellation.
Other performers also faced similar visa hurdles. A booking agent told the Los Angeles Times, “I just did visas for a Coachella band and it was $8,000. It’s becoming a huge financial hurdle because it takes so long through regular channels, you have to go for the heavy-duty expediting.”
A Festival Under Pressure After Slow Sales
Coachella 2024 reported the slowest ticket sales in the festival’s history. That year featured Doja Cat, Lana del Rey and Tyler, the Creator as headliners.
Organisers and artists see 2025 as a critical moment for recovery. The presence of high-streaming acts aims to boost attendance and reassert Coachella’s influence.
Set times for all artists appear on the official Coachella website and social media pages.
