Lady Gaga on stage during her 2017 Coachella performance. Getty Images
Coachella 2025 kicks off this weekend with stars like Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Missy Elliott, and Charli XCX set to perform. But the festival isn't just known for music this year—it’s also making headlines for its intense heat. Temperatures are expected to hit 103°F (over 39°C), much hotter than usual for this time in April.
The California desert festival runs over two weekends and brings in about 125,000 fans each day. Last year saw slow ticket sales, but this year’s lineup is seen as a big step toward winning fans back. Headliners include Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone. Combined, they pull in nearly 25% more Spotify streams globally than last year’s lead acts.
Gaga is especially drawing attention. She last headlined in 2017 and even filmed scenes from A Star Is Born at the festival. This time, she promises a mix of new songs from her album Mayhem and some of her biggest hits. But she’s keeping the details under wraps.
“I genuinely don’t want to give anything away about Coachella,” Gaga said in a recent interview. “I could honestly cry on the phone with you just thinking about how excited I am to do this show. I want it to be a total surprise.”
This year’s lineup brings together both new and classic artists. Fresh acts include Glorilla, Shaboozey, Rema, Amyl and the Sniffers, Lola Young, and underscores. Fans of older music can catch Kraftwerk, Missy Elliott, Jimmy Eat World, the Go-Gos, and Basement Jaxx.
The Prodigy is also returning to Coachella for the first time since Keith Flint died in 2019. Bandmate Liam Howlett made it clear that their performance isn’t just a tribute. “We want to honor him, and we will continue to do that,” he said. “Keith is more than just a person they saw on stage.”
Weezer is another well-known name on the lineup. The band grabbed headlines this week after bassist Scott Shriner’s wife, Jillian Lauren, was involved in a police shooting. She allegedly pointed a gun at officers and now faces attempted murder charges. Still, the band plans to perform. Scott said simply, “See you at Coachella.”
Not every act made it to the stage. FKA twigs had to cancel due to problems with her team’s visa paperwork. She shared on Instagram that she was “devastated” by the situation. This isn’t an isolated case. Many performers now face high costs and delays while trying to get performance visas. One booking agent said, “I just did visas for a Coachella band and it was $8,000.”
Despite the heat, drama, and visa troubles, Coachella 2025 is gearing up to be one of the biggest festivals yet. With big names, surprise performances, and a wide mix of styles, fans have plenty to look forward to.
