Desert Diaries: Coachella 2025 Unfiltered
Weekend One Recap
The trip to the desert took over everyone’s feed this weekend and if your phone wasn’t overheating in Indio, it was probably overheating from all the content. Coachella 2025 kicked off with a bang, and we’re here to give you the full rundown - from the hottest fits to the most unexpected on-stage moments.
There wasn’t a corner untouched by wide cowboy hats, fringe bags and knee-high boots. In a sea of same-same silhouettes, some stood out by adding a Brat spice; sparkly mesh tops, braided colorful hair and next-level nail designs. Rawr. People came dressed to be seen, and we’re not mad at it. Some attendees talked about prepping for months, and it showed.
On the more laid-back celeb side, The Biebers: Hailey went for a vintage flame-print halter top by Mugler paired with simple black capri pants and slim ballet-inspired sneakers. Justin styled his jeans low (like, really low) with a bright yellow belt barely hanging on over his knees. Stefanie Giesinger gave Berlin-meets-California in a pair of dad-length shorts, vintage USA tee and layered statement jewelry. The misses? Sadly, the Jenner sisters. Kylie, once the queen of Coachella, showed up in a yellow latex bodycon dress to promote her beauty brand KY.
Kendall missed the memo too, strolling in with a butter-yellow sundress that screamed Portofino more than Palm Springs.
Pop Power & Surprise Guests: Lady Gaga lit up the main stage with an emotional, nostalgic set. It was peak Gaga: stunning visuals, emotional speeches, and a little freaky twist. The crowd went wild for “Poker Face” and “Alejandro”, and her message on love, inclusion and self-expression reminded us why pop is still so powerful. But she wasn’t the only one making waves.
The surprise no one saw coming; Bernie Sanders showed up on stage. He took the mic to speak about climate justice, women’s rights, and the power of youth-led change, earning thunderous applause and more than a few shocked gasps. Charli XCX threw a rave for the history books with her high-energy “Bratchella” set. Just when fans thought it couldn’t get more iconic, she brought out: Troye Sivan for “Talk Talk”, Lorde for the girl, so confusing remix and Billie Eilish for their collaboration “Guess”. The show closed with the message “PLEASE DON’T LET IT BE OVER” flashing on the big screen, a declaration that Brat Summer is still alive. Other highlights You shouldn’t miss. Tyla, a breakout star of the weekend, wowed with her choreography and vocals, especially during “Water.”Keinemusik closed out the weekend with a mesmerizing house set beneath the stars, already fueling the anticipation for Weekend Two.
It wasn’t all dreamy desert magic. Attendees took to social media their frustrations: Facing significant logistical issues, including traffic delays of up to 12 hours to enter the campgrounds, leaving many stranded without access to restrooms and food. Once inside, festivalgoers were shocked by exorbitant prices; reporting spending over $100 on meals like tacos and lemonade.
Looking ahead to the second weekend : Coachella promises another lineup of exciting performances. However, as the festival continues, social media users are expressing overstimulation from the constant stream of content flooding their feeds. The overwhelming volume of posts has led to calls for attendees to put down their phones and immerse themselves in the live experience without the digital overload.
Stay in the moment, let the music shake the dust off your soul, and be California crazy in the best way.
by Lareen Roth-Behrendt
