Coachella 2022 live: Billie Eilish brings out Paramore’s Hayley Williams as special guest

After a two-year absence, Coachella has made its highly anticipated return.

Located in Indio, California, the desert festival has gained popularity over the years for its glitzy Instagram-worthy dress code and major celebrity guest sightings.

The festival began its second weekend on Friday (22 April), following a lively first three days a week ago.

Day three of the festival proved to be a memorable closer to the first weekend, with south London rapper Dave delighting fans when he invited a fan on stage to perform his 2016 hit single “Thiago Silva”. Hours later it emerged that the teenager – nicknamed “Spike from London” – was the son of Notting Hill director Richard Curtis.

Elsewhere, The Weeknd sparked speculation when he played a voicenote, which many fans believe to be his ex-girlfriend and model Bella Hadid, during his headliner with Swedish House Mafia. A source close to the musician has denied that it was Hadid.

The events of day three followed a jam-packed Saturday (16 April) that featured sets from composer Danny Elfman, the oldest artist performing at this year’s youth-focused Coachella by some margin, and a farewell show from Brockhampton.

Billie Eilish-mania swept the site ahead of her performance on Saturday 16 April, following fellow headliner Harry Styles’s show on the first night, which included a surprise appearance from the queen of country herself, Shania Twain.

Read more:

• Harry Styles review: Cheesy chat, One Direction hits and a cameo from country queen Shania Twain

• Coachella 2022 Day 2 talking points: From a surprise Gorillaz appearance to The Simpsons theme, live!

• Maneskin Q&A: ‘Our new single was inspired by Ukraine – we wanted to raise our voice for something meaningful’

• The Weeknd sparks speculation over mystery voice note played during Sunday headliner set

• Teenage fan invited on stage to perform with Dave revealed to be the son of ‘Notting Hill’ director Richard Curtis

Find all the updates from this year’s festival below

Key Points

• How to access the Coachella live stream on YouTube

• See the full list of set times for Coachella 2022 performances

• The Weeknd fans speculate over mystery voicemail played during Coachella set

• Billie Eilish review: Youngest ever headliner triumphs with Gorillaz in her midst

• The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia review: Festival headliners lacked a certain magic

• Doja Cat review: Singer delivers weekend’s flashiest rock show

Billie Eilish brings out Hayley Williams as special guest

08:41 , Isobel Lewis

Billie Eilish delighted the teenage emo in all of us by bringing out Hayley Williams for her headline spot on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old dueted with Williams on an acoustic version of “Misery Business” by Williams’s band Paramore.

07:30 , Isobel Lewis

Just for your reading pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of the 23 greatest Coachella headliner performances of all time.

Check ‘em out below...

The 23 greatest Coachella headline performances

06:30 , Isobel Lewis

Omar Apollo clearly found his guest spot with Daniel Caesar very emotional – at least according to his tweets...

04:30 , Isobel Lewis

However, there was one noticeable ommission from this Friday’s line-up.

While Arcade Fire performed last week (you can check out The Independent’s five-star review below), they were not at the festival for weekend two.

Catharsis and anthems at Arcade Fire’s intimate Coachella show – review

All the guest performances on Friday

02:30 , Isobel Lewis

Friday’s show was packed out with surprise performances. Harry Styles was joined by Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar joined Baby Keem on stage and Arlo Parks performed with Phoebe Bridgers once again.

Omar Apollo also joined Daniel Caesar for his set. Last week, Caesar had Justin Bieber come out as a special guest for their song “Peaches”.

Sunday 24 April 2022 00:30 , Isobel Lewis

Billie Eilish is highlighting Saturday night’s show and will likely bring out another amazing guest.

Last week, the singer performed with Blur frontman Damon Albarn, singing “Getting Older” together along with “Feel Good Inc” by Gorillaz.

However, fans didn’t all recognise Albarn, with many assuming that he was Eilish’s father... or even Elton John.

Billie Eilish brings Damon Albarn on stage to perform ‘Feel Good Inc’ at Coachella

Saturday 23 April 2022 22:30 , Isobel Lewis

Måneskin sat down with The Independent’s Kevin E G Perry for a quick chat at last week’s festival.

They spoke about their first impressions of the festival, their urgent new protest song for Ukraine, and what it means to be a rock star in 2022.

Read the full Q&A below.

Maneskin Q&A: ‘Our new song was inspired by Ukraine’

Saturday 23 April 2022 20:30 , Isobel Lewis

Just like Måneskin, Doja Cat and Harry Styles, Megan Thee Stallion debuted new music on stage at Coachella.

You can see all the new tracks heard at weekend one here...

All the new music that debuted at Coachella 2022

Saturday 23 April 2022 19:30 , Isobel Lewis

Megan’s set last week left some fans confused, however, as they questioned whether she’d “bailed” mid-set.

Fans confused as Megan Thee Stallion disappears from stage during Coachella debut

Saturday 23 April 2022 18:30 , Isobel Lewis

You can read The Independent’s Leonie Coopier’s review of Megan Thee Stallion’s show last Saturday below...

Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-filled Coachella set didn’t all work – review

Saturday 23 April 2022 17:34 , Isobel Lewis

During Saturday’s show, you can expect more amazing performances from Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Danny Elfman, Pabllo Vittar, Caroline Polachek, Rina Sawayama and more!

Saturday 23 April 2022 16:30 , Isobel Lewis

You can check out The Independent’s review of Harry’s set at last week’s festival show below...

Harry Styles offered 1D hits and a country queen cameo at Coachella – review

Saturday 23 April 2022 15:32 , Isobel Lewis

Doja Cat was also in the audience for Harry Styles’s performance – and went so far as to call Coachella “the Harry Styles concert”.

Saturday 23 April 2022 14:30 , Isobel Lewis

ICYMI, these are all the acts you can watch this weekend (and when to watch them)...

Saturday 23 April 2022 13:30 , Isobel Lewis

The real question on everyone’s minds when it comes to Coachella weekend two: will any media quotes top model Sarah Talabi’s skillful deflection when being asked if she kissed Timothée Chalamet?

Model Sarah Talabi lauded for deflecting Timothée Chalamet Coachella question

I’m going to say no...

Saturday 23 April 2022 12:32 , Isobel Lewis

Anyone else obsessed with this photo from Harry Styles’s set? Just me?

Arlo Parks performs with Phoebe Bridgers (again)

Saturday 23 April 2022 11:00 , Isobel Lewis

Clearly refusing to leave sunny Palm Springs for considerably less warm England, Arlo Parks joined Phoebe Bridgers on stage again for the second weekend in a row.

The pair dueted on Bridgers’ 2020 song “Graceland Too”.

Baby Keem brings out Kendrick Lamar

Saturday 23 April 2022 10:34 , Isobel Lewis

Kendrick Lamar also made a surprise appearance at Coachella after joining Baby Keem on stage on Friday night.

Lamar has a history of surprise Coachella spots, appearing on stage with SZA back in 2018.

Lizzo thanks Harry Styles for having her on stage

Saturday 23 April 2022 10:00 , Isobel Lewis

Lizzo has given Harry Styles a shout out on social media after performing on stage together.

“Proud of you @harrystyles. Thank u for having me,” she wrote.

Billie Eilish watches Harry Styles with fans

Saturday 23 April 2022 09:30 , Isobel Lewis

Billie Eilish snuck into the crowd to watch Harry Styles perform on Friday night, where she was spotted by a number of fans.

The “Happier Than Ever” singer will headline Satuday night’s show.

Saturday 23 April 2022 08:57 , Isobel Lewis

Finishing off his Friday night headline slot with a performance of “Sign of the Times”, Harry Styles appeared beneath the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag.

Harry Styles brings out Lizzo as his weekend two guest

Saturday 23 April 2022 08:52 , Isobel Lewis

After wowing the crowds at Coachella weekend one by collaborating with music legend Shania Twain, Harry Styles’s second performance had a lot to live out to.

Luckily, the British pop star – wearing a pink glittery cowboy-inspired outfit – had an equally impressive guest in the form of Lizzo.

The pair, who have previously collaborated on stage, performed Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful”.

They both sported matching pink fur coats (of course).

Saturday 23 April 2022 07:30 , Louis Chilton

One more time, for those at the back (or who can’t be bothered to scroll back through to last weekend’s blog posts) – here’s how to watch the Coachella live stream.

How to tune into the Coachella 2022 live stream

Saturday 23 April 2022 06:00 , Louis Chilton

Doja Cat’s set last weekend got the full five stars from Leonie Cooper.

Was this the best show of the whole festival? Quite possibly.

Read the review below

Doja Cat delivers flashiest rock show of Coachella weekend – review

Saturday 23 April 2022 04:30 , Louis Chilton

Earlier this week, US police officials said they arrested 112 Coachella attendees over the first weekend of the music festival, which began last Friday (15 April).

According to police, the number of arrests in 2022 rose by 13 per cent, in comparison with Coachella’s 2019 edition.

Per official figures, 112 festival-goers were arrested for drug and alcohol-related charges, as well as property crimes and false identification.

Read more below...

Coachella 2022: 112 people arrested in first weekend of festival

Saturday 23 April 2022 03:00 , Louis Chilton

The identity of the woman featured in a voice recording played during The Weeknd’s Coachella set last week has been revealed.

Ahead of his collaborative performance of “Moth to a Flame” with Swedish House Mafia, The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – played concert-goers a short voicemail recording.

Some speculated that the voice in the message belonged to his ex-girlfriend, model Bella Hadid, who dated the Canadian musician from 2015 to 2019.

However, social media users have now matched the message to a previously released Weeknd song, and not a personal message from Hadid.

Read more below...

Woman behind The Weeknd’s mystery ‘voicemail’ at Coachella set revealed

Saturday 23 April 2022 01:30 , Louis Chilton

Danny Elfman’s set may have won over our reviewer, but it seems that some people thought it was a little too “weird”.

The Simpsons composer subsequently addressed the furore around his set, admitting in an interview that he had a “lot of mental hesitation” over it.

Read more below...

Danny Elfman reacts to furore over ‘weird’ Coachella set

Saturday 23 April 2022 00:00 , Louis Chilton

We’ve seen a number of artists debut new music at the festival – here’s a rundown of all the previously unheard tracks that have graced the ears of attendees.

All the new music that debuted at Coachella 2022

Friday 22 April 2022 22:32 , Louis Chilton

Hello, and welcome back to the Coachella live blog, as we prepare for the second weekend of the California music festival.

As a refresher, here’s a rundown of the biggest talking points from Day 3 of the festival last Sunday...

All the biggest talking points from Day 3 of Coachella 2022

Coachella Day 3 biggest talking points

Monday 18 April 2022 22:00 , Inga Parkel

Here’s a recap of the biggest talking points on Day 3 of the free-spirited, technicolour festival, before the tents go up again on 22 April:

Coachella 2022 Day 3 talking points: From Dave’s mate ‘Spike from London’ to Doja Cat’s rock’n’roll triumph

Other highlights from day three of the Californian music festival included a special country music set from Orville Peck, and Finneas’s solo show

Biggest talking points from Coachella Day 2

Monday 18 April 2022 21:00 , Inga Parkel

Catch up on the biggest talking points from Coachella Weekend 1.

Coachella 2022 Day 2 talking points: From a surprise Gorillaz appearance to The Simpsons theme, live!

Day two of the Californian music festival featured a number of other surprise guest appearances, including by Chinese megastar Jackson Wang, and Billie Eilish’s history-making headliner set

Need a refresher on the biggest talking points from Coachella Day 1?

Monday 18 April 2022 20:00 , Inga Parkel

Now that Coachella’s first weekend has wrapped, take a look back at the festival’s biggest talking points.

Between Harry Styles’s Shania Twain guest appearance and Arcade Fire’s surprise return to the desert, here are 10 of the biggest things that happened on Day 1.

Coachella 2022 Day 1 talking points: From Harry Styles’s Shania surprise to Arcade Fire

Other highlights from the day include additional surprise appearances from Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg.

Matoma uses Coachella billboards to raise awareness for Ukraine

Monday 18 April 2022 18:30 , Inga Parkel

The Norwegian DJ had initially purchased the billboards along the road to Coachella to promote his new music.

However, with the ongoing war, he felt it would be more meaningful to use them to highlight Music Saves UA, an organisation providing relief to those in need in Ukraine.

DJ Matoma uses Coachella billboards to raise awareness for Ukraine

“Those days of freedom are sadly gone for them, and now bombs rain down on their cities,” the DJ said.

Monday 18 April 2022 15:28 , Isobel Lewis

In news that’ll surprise some, the “flashiest rock show of the weekend” came from none other than Doja Cat.

Check out Leonie Cooper’s five-star review of the pop star and rapper’s set below...

‘Spike from London’ identified as director Richard Curtis’s son

Monday 18 April 2022 15:15 , Annabel Nugent

The teenager – who took to the stage with south London rapper Dave – has since been identified as the son of director Richard Curtis.

Writer and activist Scarlett Curtis took to Twitter to commend her brother Spike for the performance.

Spike from London: Fan who joined Dave on stage is director Richard Curtis’s son

The Weeknd fans speculate over mystery voicemail played during Coachella set

Monday 18 April 2022 14:03 , Annabel Nugent

One of the biggest talking points to emerge out of The Weeknd’s headline performance this weekend concerns a voicenote that the musician played during his set last night (17 April).

“Hey, it’s me. I know it’s been a while but I was just thinking about you and I’m sorry about everything,” a woman was heard saying.

The Weeknd fans speculate over mystery voicemail played during Coachella set

Some fans believe that it was a voicemail from The Weeknd’s ex-girlfriend, model Bella Hadid. Others, however, are less convinced.

Dave brings on ‘Spike from London’ to perform ‘Thiago Silva'

Monday 18 April 2022 13:43 , Annabel Nugent

In case you missed it, there’s a new “Alex from Glasto” in town.

During his Coachella set on Sunday (17 April), Dave invited an audience member – “Spike from London” – to join him on stage for his performance of the 2016 hit single “Thiago Silva”.

Video footage of the moment went viral on social media at the time, with the original BBC YouTube view count now comfortably over 30 million.

Dave brings on crowd member for ‘crazy’ performance of ‘Thiago Silva at Coachella

Monday 18 April 2022 12:58 , Isobel Lewis

Footage has emerged on social media showing The Weeknd changing the lyrics of his 2016 song “Party Monster” on stage.

The musician sang: “Like Anitta, ass shaped like Anitta” where the song usually references Selena.

Anitta performed at day one of Coachella alongside Saweetie.

Monday 18 April 2022 12:35 , Isobel Lewis

In case you missed it, one of the biggest moments from Sunday was Isaiah Rashad addressing his reported sex tape leak live on stage.

The rapper kicked off his Coachella performance with a video montage addressing speculation about the alleged tape.

“The purpose of doing that was to embarrass him,” one person said in the video. “However, it backfired. When his video leaked, his streams and everything went up. He’s up on the charts now.”

Soon after the montage, Rashad entered the stage and thanked his fans who “kept [him] alive these last couple of months”.

“I see all the messages and all the positivity... Y’all kept me alive these last couple of months,” he said.

Isaiah Rashad addresses his apparent sex tape leak during Coachella performance

Monday 18 April 2022 12:09 , Isobel Lewis

Check out the biggest talking points from Coachella day three below, from Dave’s mate ‘Spike from London’ to Doja Cat’s rock’n’roll triumph

All the biggest talking points from Day 3 of Coachella 2022

The Weeknd fans speculate over mystery voicemail played during Coachella set

Monday 18 April 2022 11:45 , Isobel Lewis

During his set on Sunday night, The Weeknd played an apology voicemail that has left fans scratching their heads.

A woman could be heard saying: “Hey, it’s me. I know it’s been a while but I was just thinking about you and I’m sorry about everything.”

While many fans speculated that the voice was Bella Hadid’s, a source close to The Weeknd denied this.

Read more below...

The Weeknd fans speculate over mystery voicemail played during Coachella set

Monday 18 April 2022 11:20 , Isobel Lewis

The Independent’s Kevin E G Perry also sat down for a chat with EuroVision’s reigning champs backstage at Coachella.

You can read the full interview below!

Maneskin Q&A: ‘Our new song was inspired by Ukraine’

Maneskin delight Coachella fans with cover of ‘Womanizer’ by Britney Spears

Monday 18 April 2022 10:55 , Isobel Lewis

Elsewhere on Sunday night, Måneskin fans were thrilled after the bands included a cover of Britney Spears’s “Womanizer” in their set.

“WOMANIZER BY MÅNESKIN AS I LIVE AND BREATHE,” one fan commented.

Read more reactions below.

Maneskin delight Coachella fans with cover of ‘Womanizer’ by Britney Spears

The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia lacked a certain magic at Coachella 2022

Monday 18 April 2022 10:30 , Isobel Lewis

The Independent’s Leonie Cooper was live to watch The Weeknd’s set and offers her verdict below.

The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia lacked a certain magic at Coachella 2022 – review

Isaiah Rashad addresses apparent sex tape leak during Coachella show

Monday 18 April 2022 10:12 , Maanya Sachdeva

American rapper Isaiah Rashad kicked off his Coachella performance this weekend with a video montage addressing speculation about a sex taped that was leaked online earlier this year.

The video footage showed a man being intimate with another man.

The 30-year-old rapper did not comment on the authenticity of the video at that time or admit to being on it. He also has not commented about his sexuality.

However, the Coachella video suggested that an attempt to out him had backfired and only got him more support.

Peony Hirwani has the full story:

Isaiah Rashad addresses his apparent sex tape leak during Coachella performance

The Weeknd’s fans react to singer’s ‘top-tier’ set

Monday 18 April 2022 09:47 , Maanya Sachdeva

Early reactions to The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia’s headliner Coachella set are out, with fans overjoyed by the dual performance on Sunday (17 April).

“This Coachella performance from Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd is making [me] have FOMO so bad,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

The Weeknd’s set list included some of his biggest hits, from “Can’t Feel My Face” to “Starboy” and “Blinding Lights”.

Read more about The Weeknd x Swedish House Mafia’s “epic” set on Day 3 of Coachella here:

The Weeknd’s ‘top tier’ closing headline set sends Coachella crowd into a tizzy

Coachella weekend one - in pictures and videos

Monday 18 April 2022 09:28 , Maanya Sachdeva

A recap of all the action from Coachella’s star-studded first weekend – in bright pictures and technicolour-soaked video clips:

Megan Thee Stallion spotted at The Weeknd x Swedish House Mafia show

Monday 18 April 2022 08:15 , Maanya Sachdeva

The Weeknd’s set list includes singer’s greatest hits

Monday 18 April 2022 08:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – has the Coachella crowd grooving to “Can’t Feel My Face” and “Blinding Lights”, as seen in fan clips from his headliner set with Swedish House Mafia.

Drake’s also tuning in for The Weeknd’s headliner set with Swedish House Mafia

Monday 18 April 2022 07:48 , Maanya Sachdeva

The Canadian rap megastar posted pictures from The Weeknd’s Day 3 headliner set with Swedish House Mafia on Instagram on Sunday, as excitement over the performance builds on social media.

The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia replaced Kanye West, who pulled out of the festival last-minute.

‘Crowd is chanting Abel’: Excitement over The Weeknd’s headliner set builds

Monday 18 April 2022 07:30 , Maanya Sachdeva

‘Doja Cat is so iconic’: Fans ‘amazed’ over singer’s performance

Monday 18 April 2022 07:16 , Maanya Sachdeva

Doja Cat’s fans are celebrating the singer’s “impact” after she delivered an “iconic” Coachella show Sunday.

“She f****** devoured it. Ate and left no crumbs,” one tweet read, posted shortly after Doja Cat performed the weekend’s flashiest rock set, ahead of

Doja Cat’s Coachella set proves singer’s as much rock’n’roll sensation as TikTok triumph

Monday 18 April 2022 06:41 , Maanya Sachdeva

The Independent’s Leonie Cooper watched Doja Cat live at Coachella, and is convinced that retiring from the music industry is the last thing the Grammy winner needs to do.

Here’s why:

Doja Cat delivers flashiest rock show of Coachella weekend - f

Foals at Coachella?

Monday 18 April 2022 05:15 , Leonie Cooper

We almost think there’s a secret Foals show happening at the Outdoor Theatre after we hear the disembodied voice of Yannis Philippakis singing 2013 single “Last Night” floating across the site.

Turns out it’s just Bosnian-German DJ Solomun dropping some indie bangers into his set of deep, pulsing house.

After ‘Alex from Glasto’, Dave introduces internet to ‘Spike from London’ during blistering set – review

Monday 18 April 2022 04:46 , Leonie Cooper

Anyone remember Alex from Glasto – the guy who absolutely destroyed AJ Tracey’s bars when Dave pulled him onstage at Glastonbury 2019 to perform the pair’s 2016 single “Thiago Silva"? Video footage of the moment went viral on social media at the time, with the original BBC YouTube view count now comfortably over 30 million.

Well, it doesn’t matter if you don’t, because there’s a new Alex from Glasto in town.

Say hello to Spike from London, who Dave picks from the crowd to join him during his blistering Mojave stage set on Sunday (17 April). “Oh my god, speak to the people, brother,” gasps an impressed Dave after the backpack-wearing Spike delivers Tracey’s lines (almost) without putting a foot wrong.

It’s a highlight in a set that’s packed full of them, with the south London MC turning rockstar halfway through the show, bringing out an electric guitar and doing his best Dave Gilmour impression on a Pink Floyd-esque rendering of his and James Blake’s 2021 collaboration “Both Sides of A Smile”.

“So I just thought I’d learn it on the guitar and show it to you here at Coachella,” the Brixton-born artist says casually.

A final flourish of “Location” proves to be another absolute belter, as a beaming Dave shouts out his mum in the audience and yells “South London stand up!” It’s surely not possible that the 10,000 people who cheer back are actually all from Streatham, but we’ll let that side when a show’s quite this special.

Monday 18 April 2022 03:51 , Roisin O'Connor

Who’s ready for The Weeknd?

Orville Peck’s Coachella set was more than pastiche, it was a glitzy country tribute

Monday 18 April 2022 03:21 , Roisin O’Connor

Leonie went to check out Orville Peck’s set, and it sounds like a blast.

Read her review here:

Orville Peck’s Coachella set was more than pastiche, it was a glitzy country tribute

Dylan Minnette pauses Wallows' Coachella performance to help fan

Monday 18 April 2022 02:24 , Roisin O'Connor

Coachella talking points Day 2

Monday 18 April 2022 04:07 , Roisin O'Connor

Coachella 2022 Day 2 talking points: From a surprise Gorillaz appearance to The Simpsons theme, live!

Day two of the Californian music festival featured a number of other surprise guest appearances, including by Chinese megastar Jackson Wang, and Billie Eilish’s history-making headliner set. Check out the biggest talking points from yesterday below:

Day 2 Coachella highlights – from a surprise Gorillaz appearance to Billie mania

Finneas performs solo set after supporting sister Billie Eilish

Monday 18 April 2022 02:10 , Leonie Cooper

Full marks on attendance for Finneas, who’s pulling double duty only a few hours after helping out his little sister Billie Eilish during her history-making main stage headliner set. If he was out celebrating last night, he doesn’t seem any worse for wear. He belts out his own anthem of pop ballads at the Outdoor Theatre, while wearing a natty grey suit that makes him look a bit like an off-duty estate agent or a funky vicar.

Viagra Boys deliver a mezcal-driven version of ‘Lost in Music’ by The Fall

Monday 18 April 2022 01:16 , Leonie Cooper

More Fat White Family than Fat White Family, psychedelic Swedish punks Viagra Boys finish their set in the dark, dungeon-like Sonora tent with some grubby saxophone, an extreme avoidance of t-shirts and what sounds like a mezcal-driven version of The Fall’s take on disco anthem “Lost In Music”.

Talking points from Day 2 of Coachella

Monday 18 April 2022 01:00 , Roisin O'Connor

From a surprise Gorillaz appearance to The Simpsons theme, live, a lot went down during Day 2 of Coachella.

Over the course of a dusty day in Indio, California, Coachella featured a number of surprise guest appearances, including by Chinese megastar Jackson Wang, and Billie Eilish’s history-making headliner set.

Check out all the biggest goings-on right here:

Day 2 Coachella highlights – from a surprise Gorillaz appearance to Billie mania

Billie Eilish invites Damon Albarn on stage during Coachella performance

Monday 18 April 2022 00:37 , Roisin O'Connor

‘Thank you @coachella. u made me substantially happy'

Monday 18 April 2022 00:29 , Roisin O'Connor

Rapper Rich Brian has posted a series of photos from his Coachella set on Sunday night (17 April).

“Thank u @coachella. u made me substantially happy,” he wrote in the caption.

Maneskin: ‘Our new single was inspired by Ukraine'

Sunday 17 April 2022 23:57 , Roisin O'Connor

Backstage at Coachella, the Italian band tell Kevin E G Perry about their first impressions of the festival, their urgent new protest song for Ukraine, and what it means to be a rock star in 2022...

Maneskin Q&A: ‘Our new single was inspired by Ukraine’

Rebecca Black parties from Friday to Sunday

Sunday 17 April 2022 23:49 , Leonie Cooper

On Saturday, Rebecca Black – of cheesy chart smash “Friday” fame, turned experimental hyper-pop renegade – brought out some special friends during her Do LaB stage set - with New Orleans legend, bounce rapper Big Freedia, Blu DeTiger and Slayyyter all joining in the party. The more the merrier!

Coachella is Outstanding in its Field

Sunday 17 April 2022 23:44 , Leonie Cooper

It’s not all bands, DJs and denim hot pants at Coachella. Some of the world’s finest cuisine also graces the festival, including a pop up from the legendary Outstanding in the Field. The global phenomenon – which sees hundreds of hungry guests gathered around the longest table this side of the Last Supper – is a farm to table experience, with renowned chefs using local produce to create incredible family style sharing meals with bottomless wine. Situated in the festival’s hidden VIP Rose Garden area, every seating is packed, despite its hefty $275 price tag.

SG Lewis plays three-hour DJ set

Sunday 17 April 2022 23:07 , Roisin O'Connor

Coachella is always full of surprises. Not content with Billie Eilish’s unannounced Damon Albarn cameo, last night British producer SG Lewis popped up out of nowhere to play an epic three hour disco and house DJ set on the Do LaB stage.

Sunday 17 April 2022 23:00 , Louis Chilton

For a full rundown of the biggest talking points from day two of Coachella, see below.

From mosh pits to shock guest appearances to adverse weather conditions, these are the buzziest moments from Saturday, according to Leonie Cooper, who’s been in the thick of it.

Day 2 Coachella highlights – from a surprise Gorillaz appearance to Billie mania

Sunday 17 April 2022 22:00 , Louis Chilton

The biggest act of the night was surely Gen Z pop sensation Billie Eilish.

“During opening track ‘bury a friend’, a woozily pulsating song about a monster under her bed, Eilish immediately heads to the place where she always looks happiest: surrounded by her fans out on a long runway,” Kevin writes, in his four-star review.

“The faces in the crowd light up as she passes, and even when she brings out Georgia-born R&B singer Khalid for their aptly named duet, ‘lovely’, all eyes remain locked on her.

“In the years since she last performed here, Eilish has grown into a polished live act, punchier and somehow more vulnerable than on record.”

Read the full review below.

Billie Eilish triumphs at Coachella 2022 with Gorillaz in her midst – review

Sunday 17 April 2022 21:00 , Louis Chilton

Danny Elfman went down better with Kevin EG Perry, with the idiosyncratic film composer providing an interesting departure from usual Coachella fare.

In a four-star review, he writes: “Elfman’s booking was undoubtedly a gamble, but it’s one that pays off many times over.

“He’s an artist with an impressive, varied and well-known back catalogue, but one who’s a long way from typical festival heritage act.”

Read the full review here:

Danny Elfman’s ‘strange’ Coachella show among this year’s most memorable - review

Sunday 17 April 2022 20:00 , Louis Chilton

Leonie Cooper found things to admire in Megan Thee Stallion’s Saturday headline slot, but wasn’t quite convinced by the whole performance.

“For all the set’s powerful seizing of such sensuality, there are moments which don’t quite work,” she wrote in her three-star review. “Sure, it’s great that Megan manages to fit in a fabulous outfit change halfway through the show, returning in a spangly turquoise bodysuit.

“But when you’ve only got 50 minutes, leaving the stage for five of them seems like a waste of time and energy. Especially when Megan leaves her floundering DJ onstage to take the reins, his lacklustre hype man duties leaving the crowd confused at best and bored at worst.”

Read the full review here:

Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-filled Coachella set didn’t all work – review

Sunday 17 April 2022 19:00 , Louis Chilton

In one of the more amusing stories from day two of the festival, Billie Eilish’s fans were bemused as the singer welcomed Damon Albarn on stage.

When some viewers failing to recognise the Gorillaz frontman, he was mistakenly identified as Eilish’s dad – with some even thinking it was Elton John.

Read the full story here...

Coachella fans mistake Damon Albarn for ‘Billie Eilish’s dad’ during guest appearance

Sunday 17 April 2022 18:00 , Louis Chilton

It was a mixed night for Brockhampton fans, who announced that their shows in California would be their “last ever”.

After the band left the stage following their performance, a pre-recorded clip of frontman Kevin Abstract talking to his bandmates flashed up. He has something to tell them, he says in the video.

Fans were devastated by the revelation, with one writing: “I listened to nothing but Brockhampton for like four years straight, I can’t believe they’re really leaving us like this.”

Read the full story here...

Brockhampton announce final album at Coachella as fans left shocked

Sunday 17 April 2022 17:00 , Louis Chilton

Chinese superstar Jackson Wang made a surprise appearance yesterday, becoming the first Chinese singer to perform on Coachella’s main stage.

The Independent’s Leonie Cooper caught Jackson’s performance at LA-based record label 88rising’s showcase of musical talent from Asia.

“A mini version of 88rising’s own hugely successful Head in the Clouds festival, it’s the perfect potted variety show – with spots from Thai rapper Milli, South Korean singer songwriter Bibi and Jakarta-born Taylor Swift co-signed singer Niki as well as Indonesian rappers Rich Brian and Warren Hue,” she reported.

Read the full story here...

Fans react to Jackson Wang’s ‘festival devouring’ Coachella 2022 show

Sunday 17 April 2022 16:20 , Louis Chilton

In case anyone needs a refresher – here’s how to watch Coachella if you’re one of the many who wasn’t lucky enough to attend in person.

(If you were lucky enough... what on earth are you doing reading this?)

The whole thing is live streamed on YouTube, giving music fans half a world away the chance to see some of these big acts perform remotely.

How to tune into the Coachella 2022 live stream

Sunday 17 April 2022 15:09 , Louis Chilton

A lighthearted moment from the second night of the festival...

After joining Billie Eilish on stage for a rendition of her song “Getting Older”, Blur’s Damon Albarn appears to sing the wrong lyrics.

It was a little snafu that didn’t escape the attention of viewers, though judging by Eilish’s reaction the singer saw the funny side.

You can watch the clip here...

Sunday 17 April 2022 14:16 , Louis Chilton

Danny Elfman’s set sounded like a lot of fun.

Spider-Man, Edward Scissorhands, The Simpsons... and just take a look at this backdrop!

Sunday 17 April 2022 13:41 , Louis Chilton

Here’s Kevin EG Perry’s full review of Billie Eilish’s record-breaking performance at Coachella last night.

Kind of blown away by how good the headline is on this one.

(But the rest of the piece is well worth a read too!)

Billie Eilish triumphs at Coachella 2022 with Gorillaz in her midst – review

Sunday 17 April 2022 12:40 , Louis Chilton

Our full review of Megan Thee Stallion’s set from earlier, and it was something of a mixed bag for Leonie Cooper...

Chock-full of sex positivity and oh, so much twerking, the set was dulled a little by an overlong costume change and a complete lack of special guests.

Read the full write-up here...

Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-filled Coachella set didn’t all work – review

Sunday 17 April 2022 12:10 , Louis Chilton

Leonie Cooper presents a rundown of the biggest talking points from Coachella day two.

We’ve had guest appearances, Billie-mania and even a showing for a classic TV cartoon theme.

Read all about it below...

Day 2 Coachella highlights – from a surprise Gorillaz appearance to Billie mania

Sunday 17 April 2022 11:44 , Louis Chilton

As part of Kevin EG Perry’s Billie Eilish review, which will be shared here as soon as it’s live, he reflects on the singer-songwriter’s first Coachella outing, back when she was just 17.

“It was a set was blighted by technical mishaps: she arrived onstage over half an hour late, forgot some of the words to ‘All the Good Girls Go to Hell’ and, worst of all, brought out special guest Vince Staples for ‘&Burn’, only for his microphone to entirely fail to work and leave him rapping in silence.

“Still, she had fond memories of that weekend too. After all, it was backstage here in Indio that Eilish met her teen idol Justin Bieber. In footage captured for RJ Cutler’s 2021 documentary Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, the pair meet and embrace for the first time.

“Eilish had grown up worshipping the Canadian singer, who is eight years her senior, and the moment marked a sort of emotional crossing of the Rubicon for Eilish as she was quite literally welcomed into the world of pop superstardom by the icon she’d deified.”

More to come shortly!

Sunday 17 April 2022 11:25 , Louis Chilton

We’ll have our full review of Eilish’s set going up very shortly.

In the meantime, people have been sharing their thoughts on social media.

The 20-year-old became the youngest person ever to headline Coachella tonight. The festival’s official account summed it up pretty nicely: “Unbillievable”

Sunday 17 April 2022 10:40 , Louis Chilton

Damon Albarn’s guest spot during Billie Eilish’s set also prompted bemused reactions from some fans, with many writing on Twitter that they weren’t sure who he was.

Albarn (whose core demographic, it has to be said, skews a good bit older than Eilish’s) was mistaken for Eilish’s dad, as well as Elton John.

Not sure he’ll neccesarily be too flattered by that.

Read the full story below...

Coachella fans mistake Damon Albarn for ‘Billie Eilish’s dad’ during guest appearance

Sunday 17 April 2022 10:10 , Louis Chilton

Fans of Megan Thee Stallion were left somewhat confused during her Saturday set, after the singer appeared to vanish mid-way through her set.

In what was believed to be a particularly difficult costume change, the singer walked off and took minutes to come back on, prompting some viewers to question whether she had “bailed”.

Read more below...

Fans confused as Megan Thee Stallion disappears from stage during Coachella debut

Billie Eilish and Gorillaz’s Damon Albarn perform ‘Feel Good Inc’

Sunday 17 April 2022 09:00 , Kevin E G Perry

Damon Albarn wanders onstage to join Billie Eilish who is midway through “Getting Older”.

The 20-year-old later introduces him afterwards as Gorrillaz’s Damon Albarn who “changed her life” and is “literally a genius”, before they team up for a performance of “Feel Good Inc”.

Watch: Billie Eilish joined by Khalid as duo perform 2018 hit ‘Lovely’

Sunday 17 April 2022 08:30 , Maanya Sachdeva

Billie Eilish was joined by Khalid as the duo recreated the magic of their 2018 hit “Lovely” during Eilish’s history-making set at Coachella.

Fans on social media have shared snippets from Eilish and Khalid’s performance, describing it as “iconic”.

Watch it here:

Danny Elfman brings Spider-Man, Batman and The Simpsons to Coachella - review

Sunday 17 April 2022 08:00 , Maanya Sachdeva

And now, time for something completely different: composer Danny Elfman is by some margin the oldest artist performing at this year’s youth-focused Coachella. But on the basis of his eclectic show on the Outdoor Theatre stage late on Saturday night (16 April), his age is the least unusual thing about him.

For a start, there can be few 68-year-old composers around who would choose to perform topless so as best to show off a heavily tattooed torso. More pertinently, there are few composers of any age who could make a full orchestra sound like a garage punk band, as Elfman often does throughout his hour-long set.

“Hello Coachella,” he says, not long after playing deranged 2021 single “Insects” and then a section of his orchestral score from 2002’s Spider-Man. “My name’s Danny Elfman, and I’ve got a strange little show for you.” He’s not kidding.

Read Kevin E G Perry’s four-star review of Elfman’s first Coachella performance here:

Danny Elfman’s ‘strange’ Coachella show among this year’s most memorable - review

Coachella bids rowdy farewell to innovative boy band Brockhampton - review

Sunday 17 April 2022 07:27 , Maanya Sachdeva

After almost a decade of boundary shifting and rule breaking, the most innovative boy band of the 21st century have decided to call it a day.

Taking over the huge aircraft hangar that is the Sahara stage at Coachella music festival on Saturday (16 April), sprawling Texan collective Brockhampton have decided to hang up their bucket hats for good. Well, at least that was what fans were told in January of this year, when they revealed via social media that they would be taking an “indefinite hiatus” following Coachella, while thanking fans for their support over the past eight years.

However, after tonight’s hour-long spectacular, video screens reveal that they’re not quite done yet. When the band leave the stage, a pre-recorded clip of de facto frontman Kevin Abstract talking to his bandmates flashes up. He has something to tell them he says. The screens then go dark, leaving nothing but the words: “Brockhampton. The Final Album. 2022.” If the crowd hadn’t been going bonkers enough during the set, this is enough to make them totally lose it.

Read The Independent’s US Entertainment Editor Leonie Cooper’s full review here.

Coachella bids rowdy farewell to innovative boy band Brockhampton - review

First pictures of Megan Thee Stallion at Coachella day 2

Sunday 17 April 2022 07:01 , Maanya Sachdeva

Megan Thee Stallion’s set is currently underway at Coachella!

“You ready hotties?” the “Hot Girl Summer” singer arrived onstage, wearing a silver cut-out jumpsuit, for her first time performing at the festival.

Fans are speculating whether Dua Lipa might make a surprise appearance with Megan; the singers’ collaborative “Sweetest Pie” was released last month.

Brockhampton’s forthcoming 2022 album will be their ‘final’ one

Sunday 17 April 2022 05:47 , Maanya Sachdeva

Brockhampton have announced their final album together at Coachella, after founding member Kevin Abstract also told fans that their shows in California would be their “last ever”.

The American hip-hop boy band on Saturday (16 April) concluded their set at the festival’s Sahara stage with an emotional update: Brockhampton‘s forthcoming 2022 album will also be their final one.

Read the full story here.

Brockhampton announce final album at Coachella as fans left shocked

Disclosure joined by Khalid and brass band during high-energy rave set

Sunday 17 April 2022 04:58 , Kevin E G Perry

Last time Surrey-born brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence played Coachella, back in 2016, they augmented their live show with a number of high-profile guest vocalists including Lorde (for “Magnets”), Sam Smith (for “Latch” and “Omen”) and AlunaGeorge (for “White Noise”).

By those high standards, tonight’s performance was relatively light on surprises – bar the appearance of Khalid late on for the first ever live performance of their 2020 collaboration “Know Your Worth”. Perhaps that’s a sign that the Lawrence brothers are now more confident in their own ability to hold the Coachella audience captive with minimal bells and whistles.

Now over a decade into a career they began as minors, the pair have become practiced experts at delivering a high-energy rave by this point. The Coachella crowd is more than willing to meet them half way, and they’re out in force for the duo’s sunset set, a euphoric, hands-in-the-air performance. “We want to see maximum energy, maximum vibes tonight,” announce the brothers. It’s fair to say their wish is granted.

“When a Fire Starts to Burn” has the whole crowd moving in unison, while phone lights flash on to illuminate “Nocturnal”. Despite playing the festival yesterday, there’s no sign of Slowthai aside from in pre-recorded form on the big screens for Grammy-nominated banger “My High”.

The duo close their set with party anthem “Tondo”, joined on stage by a brass band horn section, but the focus never really leaves the siblings at centre stage during the sort of uplifting performance the Coachella stage was made for.

Jackson Wang’s surprise appearance is all Twitter can talk about

Sunday 17 April 2022 04:10 , Leonie Cooper

While Disclosure are busy bringing in one of the biggest crowds of the weekend over on the Outdoor Theatre, 88rising are doing their own equally impressive thing on the main Coachella stage.

The first ever record label to be given their own showcase at the festival, the collective doesn’t take this honour lightly.

Since 2015, 88rising have been working with artists and creators from across Asia and, tonight, the LA-based company brings in the big boys and girls for an 80 minute extravaganza with an epic list of names as well as a troupe of dancers and multi-layered stage.

A mini version of 88rising’s own hugely successful Head in the Clouds festival, it’s the perfect potted variety show – with spots from Thai rapper Milli, South Korean singer songwriter Bibi and Jakarta-born Taylor Swift co-signed singer Niki as well as Indonesian rappers Rich Brian and Warren Hue.

It is the unannounced appearance of Chinese superstar Jackson Wang however, that really makes the festival lose its collective mind.

With his silver blue hair and red gloves on majestic display, the flashy Wang slinks his way through ten minutes of Michael Jackson inspired choreography with Las Vegas magician worthy flair, leaving a whole lot of fans more than happy for his arrival, but also wondering why he wasn’t on stage for an hour longer at least.

Fans react to Wang’s ‘festival devouring’ Coachella performance here.

Fans react to Jackson Wang’s ‘festival devouring’ Coachella 2022 show

Coachella weather report

Sunday 17 April 2022 03:30 , Leonie Cooper

Where yesterday was too hot, today is decidedly too windy. Dust storms surround the site making visibility a challenge for many driving to the festival. On the ground, this means bucket hats blowing all over the place, bins tumbling across the fields and a lot of hairdos becoming hair don’ts. The solution? Hold onto your hats, Coachella.

A mosh pit at last

Sunday 17 April 2022 03:26 , Leonie Cooper

We find our first legit mosh pit of the weekend at Turnstile’s Mojave stage set. Crowd surfing and an abundance of flailing limbs accompany the US hardcore act’s enticing way with melodic but still utterly ferocious punk.

Sunday 17 April 2022 02:44 , Tom Murray

Kevin Abstract has urged fans to tune into Brockhampton’s Coachella performance as it will be their last as a band. Stay tuned for our review of their set...

Wallows hits pause to help fan

Sunday 17 April 2022 02:27 , Tom Murray

Dylan Minnette just stopped Wallows mid-song to help a fan in the crowd. The actor/singer got a big cheer and round of applause from the audience for making sure the festivalgoer was ok. Check out the footage below.

Coachella 2022: Dylan Minnette stops Wallows performance to get medic for fan

Sunday 17 April 2022 01:40 , Leonie Cooper

Fans of tonight’s headliner Billie Eilish will be delighted to know there’s an entire tent selling Billie specific merch. They might not be as happy to find out that a plain black hoodie costs $90 (£69) and a water bottle $30 (£23).

Billie Eilish has arrived ahead of her history-making performance

Sunday 17 April 2022 01:32 , Tom Murray

Billie Eilish’s eponymous perfume brand tweeted a photo of the singer at Coachella next to a giant replica of the fragrance’s bottle, which is a kind of a metallic bust with half a head missing.

These hills at Coachella look familiar...

Sunday 17 April 2022 01:14 , Leonie Cooper

Little known Coachella fact. The Teletubbie hills were relocated to the festival site in the early 2000s and now act as a home base for rickshaw drivers and stray influencers.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website