It’s officially Coachella season! Each April, music lovers, influencers, and celebrities from all over the world flock to the Californian desert for Coachella — one of the most iconic music and arts festivals on the planet. Known for its retro bohemian fashion and massive line-ups, it’s where pop culture and music collide in the most unforgettable way.
You’ve probably spotted your favourite celebs and influencers lighting up the desert – but the real buzz? The surprise performances that had the crowd losing it. From Grammy-winning superstar Billie Eilish to Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May, here’s the ultimate round-up of the A-listers who made unexpected stage appearances during Coachella 2025 Weekend One:
1. Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan and Lorde (with Charli XCX)
“Bratchella” is exactly the energy we needed to kick off the summer – and Charli XCX is serving everything and more. The iconic “BRAT” album made its explosive Coachella debut, and it did not disappoint. Charli opened her set with none other than Troye Sivan, delivering their playful collab, “Talk Talk”. Lorde appeared next, joining Charli for a fierce, hit song with “Girl, So Confusing (Remix)”. And just when we thought the surprises were over, Charli brought out Billie Eilish for a stunning performance of their hit collab “Guess,” marking the perfect final twist in her Coachella set.
2. Brian May (with Benson Boone)
From the outfits to the vocals to the sheer stage presence, it was impossible to ignore just how much rising star Benson Boone was channelling the legendary Freddie Mercury during his Coachella set. So it felt only right when Boone took his place at the piano and launched into the Queen classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” But even the most devoted fans soaking up the Freddie energy likely weren’t prepared for what came next: Queen guitarist Brian May suddenly appeared on a raised platform above the stage, delivering a spectacular performance.
3. Kali Uchis (with BLACKPINK Jennie)
No one does Coachella quite “like Jennie”. The BLACKPINK star made her highly anticipated soloist debut on Sunday night, but technically, she didn’t do it alone. Her latest album “Ruby” is packed with star-studded collaborations, featuring the likes of Dua Lipa, Doechii, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis, and more, leaving fans to wonder who might make an appearance. In the end, it was Kali Uchis who joined Jennie on stage for a sultry performance of their track with Childish Gambino, “Damn Right.”
4. Becky G (with Tyla)
After performing her own set in 2023 and making a guest appearance with Peso Pluma last year, singer Becky G returned to the Coachella stage once again. This time, the singer joined Tyla early in her set for a surprise performance of their track “On My Body”. The crowd, which stretched far into the distance, was clearly thrilled by the unexpected appearance, brimming with excitement as the duo took the stage together.
5. Bea Miller, Elley Duhe, Maren Morris, John Mayer, Julia Michaels (with Zedd)
Zedd kicked off his Sunday night set with the crowd singalong to “Stay the Night” (minus Hayley Williams), before launching into a string of surprise guest appearances. Bea Miller opened with “Tangerine Rays,” followed by Elley Duhé for “Happy Now” and Maren Morris with their hit “The Middle.” The set also featured John Mayer and pop star Julia Michaels, marking another iconic performance by Zedd for this year’s Coachella.
6. Bernie Sanders (with Clairo)
In a completely unexpected twist, Senator Bernie Sanders took to the stage ahead of Clairo’s set, delivering a passionate call to action to her young fans. “The future of America rests in your hands,” he declared, urging the crowd to rise up and challenge the growing injustices across the country. It was a political moment no one saw coming, but undeniably iconic.
7. Queen Latifah, Ciara and Victoria Monet (with Megan Thee Stallion)
Rapper Megan Thee Stallion brought the ultimate girl power to her Coachella set on Sunday night. First up was Queen Latifah during “Plan B,” which seamlessly transitioned into the opening verse of her iconic 1993 hit “U.N.I.T.Y.” Next came Victoria Monét for a sultry performance of their duet “Spin,” followed by a snippet of her hit song “On My Mama.” And to top it all off, Ciara lit up the main stage as the crowd erupted in cheers, treating fans to a performance of “Goodies” complete with her signature choreography. Ciara and Megan then joined forces as the song transformed into a mash-up with “Roc Steady.”
Source: Desert Sun
Nakhla Sabrina contributed to this article
