The world-famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returned to the desert of California, US, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 outbreak, to considerable hoopla this past weekend.
The first weekend of Coachella 2022 was held from April 15 to 17 at Empire Polo Club in Indio. It will be followed by the event's second weekend, which will begin on April 22 and end on April 24 (hurry up, the tickets are selling fast!).
Fans flocked to the major event to see their favorite musicians play. With them came the revival of boho-chic dress, which is especially popular at Coachella. A slew of celebrities descended on Indio for the festivities.
On all three days of the first weekend, shows began at midday and lasted until just after midnight. One of the major highlights of Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 were performances by Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd, respectively.
On April 15, Princess Nokia, City Girls, Black Coffee, The Martinez Brothers, Lil Baby, and SLANDER were among the numerous artists who performed on the Coachella festival stage and in the other venues.
Miane, Buster Jarvis, Megan Thee Stallion, and 21 Savage were among the big names on the second day. Cole Knight, Karol G, Doja Cat, The Blessed Madonna + Honey Dijon, and Run the Jewels all performed on the final day of the weekend.
Additionally, YouTube broadcasted live concerts, behind-the-scenes footage, artist interviews, and exclusive content on Weekend 1 and will do it again on Weekend 2.
Coachella has released a great map of the festival grounds, which shows all of the performing stages as well as the main Coachella stage and unique features.
Take a ride through some of the biggest link-ups from Coachella's first weekend below, as the festival's second installment approaches with no doubt more surprises in store.
Billie Eilish and Damon Albarn Feel Good (Inc.)
On Coachella's weekend, Billie Eilish became the festival's youngest ever headliner (she'll do the same at Glastonbury this year). And, boy, did she make it a night to remember for her followers.
Her 90-minute show had Billie's characteristic self-deprecation and moments of appreciation throughout, covering what has become an unassailable record of triumphs.
During the night, she brought out Khalid for a performance of 2018's 'Lovely,' before presenting Damon Albarn as the man who 'changed my entire idea of what music, art, and creation could be.'
The twosome performed Billie's song 'Getting Older' before performing the famous Gorillaz cut 'Feel Good Inc.' with the help of De La Soul's Pos, who joined them on stage.
Phoebe Bridgers and Arlo Parks are besties with a lot of energy.
Both Phoebe and Arlo have released some of the best records in the previous year and a half, so seeing them both perform at Coachella this weekend was a treat. To see them work together across both sets of characters? Feels like the icing on the cake.
During Arlo's afternoon session, Phoebe made an appearance to perform 'Black Dog' from Collapsed In Sunbeams, a song that Australian fans will be able to hear live later this year on the British artist's first Australian tour.
Later that night, Arlo dropped by Phoebe's stage for poignant duets on both 'Graceland Too' and 'I Know The End.'
Day 1 comes to an end with Harry Styles’ performance
On his Coachella debut, the British singer-songwriter and former member of One Direction wowed the crowd.
Shania Twain joined Styles on stage during his performance. They sang "Man, I Feel Like A Woman," a classic song by Mark Twain.
As he addressed the audience, Styles stated, "Shania Twain taught me to sing." "She also instilled in me the belief that men are garbage."
Styles began his act before Twain arrived with the song "As It Was," which will be on his upcoming album Harry's House, which will be released in May 2022. His supporters screamed at the top of their lungs as he sang "Adore You."
Styles wore a Gucci multi-colored glittering jumpsuit that was certainly one of the top Coachella outfits of 2022.
Another song from Styles' next album, "As It Was," was one of his set numbers.
"To boyfriends worldwide, f–k you," Styles yelled before singing what appears to be "Boyfriend."
He also sang "What Makes You Beautiful," a hit tune by One Direction from 2011, to which the audience sang along.
Day 2
Danny Elfman's incredible performance, the comeback of the K-pop group, and Billie Eilish's night-changing performance were among the highlights of Coachella 2022's Day 2.
Danny Elfman is the star of the show.
Danny Elfman wowed the crowd at Coachella with a performance that warmed everyone's hearts. The 68-year-old singer-composer was one of the festival's oldest performers.
Elfman presented the audience on a musical journey across his whole career, featuring songs from Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985), Batman (1989), Edward Scissorhands (1990), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), and Spider-Man (2002).
Elfman ended his act with "Happy," a song from his former band Oingo Boingo and his current album Big Mess.
The employment of a full orchestra to the cinematic treasures Elfman has produced over his distinguished career was the most astonishing aspect of his presentation. The orchestra did a fantastic job of seamlessly transitioning from upbeat to quirky pieces.
Megan Thee Stallion drops a new single
The talented singer-songwriter made a splash at Coachella. The audience was enthralled by her on-stage performance, which opened with "Megan's Piano," a hit song from her 2021 album Something for Thee Hotties.
Megan Thee Stallion debuted a new song at the festival while grooving and gyrating to her music, driving the crowd into a frenzy. It's a song about female empowerment called "To Whom It May The Fuck Concern."
"Body," "Eat It," "Girls In The Hood," "Captain Hook," and "Cry Baby" were among the tracks performed by the 27-year-old performer.
Megan kept the spotlight on her throughout her performance, donning futuristic spectacles and a silver Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit. At the after-parties, she turned heads in a hot pink crop top and leggings combination.
During his performance at 21 Savage, Post Malone surprised everyone.
While 21 Savage was putting on a show at Coachella 2022, Post Malone made an appearance.
A technical glitch with Malone's microphone caused a brief stoppage just before he was about to enter the stage.
"We have to start anew," stated 21 Savage.
They then performed on Malone's "Rockstar," which also included 21 Savage. Malone, on the other hand, didn't finish it; instead, he danced the rest of the way and broke a guitar.
Malone and 21 Savage played together for the second time at Coachella after 2018.
The K-pop group 2NE1 reunited
During the "Heads In The Clouds Forever" concert, which featured stars belonging to the 88Rising label, the hit all-girls K-pop group 2NE1 made an appearance.
For the first time in six years, all four members of 2NE1 — Bom, CL, Dara, and Minzy — were on stage at the same moment.
CL sang a few solo songs before the other three joined her for "I Am the Best." At Coachella 2022, it was the only song they performed as a group.
The South Korean band, which was formed in 2009, disbanded in 2016. They had last performed together as a group a year before the breakup. "Goodbye," their most recent single was released in 2017.
Coachella weekend 1 features Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd
The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia closed out Weekend 1 with a bang.
The quartet, which includes Swedish musicians Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso, expressed gratitude to the festival's attendees for their support in keeping the ensemble together.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, on the other hand, played songs including "The Hills," "Blinding Lights," and "Can't Feel My Face."
Swedish House Mafia and The Weeknd collaborated on the song "Moth to a Flame" to round out Weekend 1.