Coachella is more than just a festival. It’s a masterclass in music, the arts and pop-culture both on and off the main stages. Besides the dazzling headline acts (hello, Gaga) and surprise cameos (Lorde! Billie! ..Bernie?), there were the underground sets, late-night parties, and curated brand pop-ups scattered throughout. From the main stage to the coolest off-site scenes, here are just a few of Coachella’s most unforgettable moments.
Lady Gaga’s History-Making Set
Lady Gaga’s Coachella headlining set was a theatrical tour de force – bold, bizarre, and unmistakably Gaga. Split into three acts and a dramatic finale, the two-hour performance fused elaborate stagecraft, statement fashion, and some of the most iconic songs in pop music. She opened draped in a sweeping red cape on a brutalist stage, then re-emerged from a sand-box set, surrounded by skeletons as she sang her new hit “Perfect Celebrity”. As the show built in intensity, so did the looks: gleaming metal armour for “Paparazzi,” a feathered blue Marni coat for “Killah”, and finally, a winged all-white ensemble by Matières Fécales for her surprise encore of “Bad Romance.” The lights had dimmed, the crowd was ready to leave, and then—she came back. It was an electric, cinematic, day 1 closer that proved exactly why Gaga is in a league of her own.
Neon Carnival
Neon Carnival returned for its 14th year as one of Coachella’s most exclusive and highly-coveted after-parties. Held at the Desert International Horse Park, it attracted A-listers like Paris Hilton, Teyana Taylor, and Lori Harvey. Anderson .Paak performed as DJ Pee.Wee, spinning vinyl for the second year in a row, joined by Chase B & Friends and Charly Jordan. The event featured classic carnival rides, including slides and a Ferris wheel, along with immersive light displays and games.
ENHYPEN’s Coachella Debut
ENHYPEN made a striking Coachella debut this year, proving their global star power is only just beginning to peak. Clad in head-to-toe Prada, the seven-member group delivered a sleek, high-energy set that blended their usual sharp choreography with polished vocals. Formed through a survival competition in 2020, ENHYPEN has skyrocketed to arena-level fame in record time – their Kyocera Dome performance in Japan marked the fastest a K-pop boy group has ever reached that scale. With their youngest member, Ni-ki, just 19, the group continues to build momentum with a new EP dropping June 5, teasing a new chapter for the fast-rising phenoms.
Framework In The Desert
Framework in the Desert 2025 delivered an unforgettable afterparty experience, keeping the energy high with an appearance from Chris Lorenzo as he joined Chris Lake for a surprise b2b set. The three-night event also featured electrifying performances from heavyweights like deadmau5, Mau P, Alesso (BODY HI), and more. Hosted in the expansive Atlantic Aviation hangar, this desert event drew over 14,000 attendees, solidifying Framework’s status as a must-attend experience for underground music lovers, with a stellar lineup and world-class production to match.
Bernie Sanders Introduces Clairo
Perhaps the most surprising moment of the weekend came when Senator Bernie Sanders took the stage on Saturday to introduce indie-pop sensation Clairo. Fresh off a rally with fellow politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Los Angeles earlier that day, Sanders energised the Coachella crowd with a call to action, urging the next generation to stand up for justice and get involved in shaping the future.
Absolut House of Cosmo ft. Paris Hilton
At the Absolut House of Cosmo, Paris Hilton made a surprise DJ appearance to debut tracks from her upcoming Infinite Icon Remix EP, before weekend-long sets continued with Blake Horstmann behind the booth. Exclusive Absolut cocktails were served inside the air-conditioned space, offering a refreshing escape from the desert heat.
Charli XCX Brings On Lorde, Billie Eilish & Troye Sivan
Charli XCX turned her Coachella set into a pop fever dream, surprising the crowd with appearances from Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, and—perhaps most notably—Lorde. The two longtime internet-pitted rivals shared the stage with undeniable chemistry, shutting down any lingering whispers of a feud. Lorde joined Charli for “Girl, so confusing,” while Billie and Troye added even more star power to Charli’s highly anticipated set.
Red Bull Mirage ft. Nobu
Above the chaos of Coachella, Red Bull Mirage offered a rarefied escape complete with a $350 Nobu omakase, panoramic views of the Quasar Stage, and a celeb-stacked guest list that included Cardi B, Lisa, Emma Roberts, and Anderson .Paak. The three-story, 20,000-square-foot structure was equal parts luxury lounge and musical playground: GA guests cooled off with Red Bull Summer Edition slushies and surprise DJ sets, while the invite-only Level 2 and Level 3 served as a backstage-style sanctuary for artists and VIPs.
Revolve Festival
REVOLVE Festival made a bold return for its 8th year, transforming the desert into its shimmering Desert Mirage playground. Hosted at a new location in Thermal, California, the invite-only event blended fashion, music, and over-the-top brand activations with its usual roster of It-girls and internet royalty. Alex Consani, Julia Fox, Lisa, and Emma Roberts were among the buzzy guests spotted, while performances by Lil Wayne, Tyga, and a surprise set from Cardi B kept the energy high.
Editor
Carina FischerCredit
Lead image: courtesy of Coachella













