The Best Performances of Coachella 2025 (So Far)

And just like that, the first weekend of Coachella 2025 is officially over.

Every year, the annual music and arts festival makes waves worldwide for its prolific (and eclectic) lineup of performers, who more often than not comprise the best and most promising musical acts of every passing generation. Whether you’re looking for your usual rock fix, a highlight reel of the pop genre’s biggest songs, or even a means of discovering some of the best and thrilling new talents today, Coachella has become a staple and core event for millions of music aficionados around the world, bridging mainstream music with that of the independent scene for two glorious weekends of performances.

Given that all of Coachella’s six stages have been provided a livestream, the past few years’ iterations of the famed festival have never been more accessible than ever, giving audiences worldwide a front-seat experience to what hundreds of thousands of individuals make the pilgrimage for in Indio, California –– keeping us glued to our screens for the duration of each meticulous set.

This year was no different, as online viewership for Coachella 2025 was an all-time high — with credit to the well-curated lineup of acts such as the headliners Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Green Day, Travis Scott, beloved K-pop phenomenons such as ENHYPEN and BLACKPINK‘s JENNIE and LISA, or even a variety of indie darlings from all around worldwide that we can’t keep track of.

With that being said, Billboard Philippines rounds up our picks for the best musical performances from the first weekend Coachella 2025 –– shedding insight as to why this year’s iteration may arguably be one of the most exciting and electrifying versions of the festival that we’ve had in years.

Beth Gibbons

Fresh off the release of her first solo album Lives Outgrown, the renowned vocalist of Portishead delivered an intimate yet equally enthralling set at the Gobi Tent last Saturday, reminding us as to why her gentle vocals retain the power of capturing one’s attention in a near instant. Though most tracks from her ten-track set consisted of her solo record, a surprise live rendition of “Glory Box” took audiences’ breaths away, given that it was only the second time she had performed the 1994 classic without the band.

Djo (Joe Keery)

Beyond spending his time as the fan-favorite character of Steve on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Joe Keery is also beloved by many for his musical alter-ego, Djo. For his first Coachella performance ever, the indie-alternative musician carried his own by giving festival goers a rocking good time at the Mojave Stage. Keery’s sheer excitement to be on stage translated into an impressive demonstration of energy that was akin to a mad, talented hype man.

It was evident that Keery was having fun performing a genre-spanning set of tracks from his three albums (including the newly released The Crux), but what astounded me more was just how immaculate his vocals sounded on stage. Pairing those factors altogether, one could easily be surprised as to how endearing his Coachella set was — making anyone an even bigger fan of his discography than before.

Green Day

Amidst various points of online discourse, many have speculated whether or not Green Day deserved to have their headlining set at this year’s festival — and their performance over the weekend easily proved all those naysayers wrong. Because from what we’ve seen, this iconic American punk band still has the juice flowing in a myriad of ways.

Aside from frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s commendable, politically charged lyric changes, the group’s 80-minute hits-filled performance was a major highlight of the festival that transported audiences to a cathartic space wherein one could express their angst and frustration about the world’s current state of affairs. Nothing is more punk rock than standing up for your beliefs, which is why Armstrong and his band gave audiences a great demonstration of their artistry and never-ending commitment to embodying punk to this very day.

Clairo

It’s one thing to be charmed by Clairo’s discography (especially with her excellent third album of the same name), but her grand return to the Coachella festival served as the perfect marriage of all the special elements in her discography. Following a surprise introduction by Bernie Sanders, the beloved singer-songwriter delivered a can’t-miss performance of her catalog (so far) at the Coachella Outdoor Theatre, blending her lo-fi hits with the indie pop gems and jazzy folk sounds of her later records with seamless precision.

To no one’s surprise, Clairo made sure to bring out fan-favorite hits like “Bags,” “Juna,” and “Sofia,” and soon entranced audiences into her spell with the warm, soft nature of her Charm tracks, then exciting the crowd once more with the surprise appearance of her band, Shelly, for a performance of their track “Steeeam.”

Viagra Boys

Taking charge of the Gobi Tent on day two of the festival, the Viagra Boys delivered a memorable (and equally unhinged) performance that will ultimately be etched in the minds of those who watched it. As frontman Sebastian Murphy began stripping away nearly every layer and article of clothing that he arrived on stage with, the set spiraled further into the depravity of their glorified trash punk schtick, resulting in a frenetic yet high energy set that had audiences enthralled and singing along to nearly every lyric.

Without the use of any backing tracks or any fancy light shows, the Swedish post-punk group relied on the sheer power of sweaty, shirtless men and pure punk rock. If the Viagra Boys are spearheading a dance-punk revival, then we’re all for it.

LISA

Following BLACKPINK’s headlining set last 2023, this year marked the first instance in which LISA would be performing at the festival as a solo artist — and boy, did she surprise us. The renowned Thai K-pop icon came through with a highly conceptualized setlist that honored the variety of sonic elements from each of her ‘ALTER EGOs,’ giving audiences an eclectic mix of R&B, rap, and pop performances at a jam-packed Sahara Stage.

From the electric opener “Thunder” to the sultry surprise of the night “Elastigirl,” LISA proved that she was more than capable of carrying her own as a solo artist, given that her sheer star-power shone throughout the duration of her entire set. Her performance also allowed her to disprove many of her haters with a commendable demonstration of her live vocals (albeit with the use of some backing), paired together the nonstop energy she showcased from beginning to end, allowing us to witness her growth, improvement, and evolution as a soloist.

Japanese Breakfast

Japanese Breakfast have always been a favorite amongst several people within the festival circuit, and the band’s 2025 Coachella performance is just another peak demonstration as to why it is so. The alternative-indie group’s performance pulled tracks from their catalog and their new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), including “Orlando in Love,” “Picture Window,” “Mega Circuit,” and “Honey Water,” giving festival goers a pleasant mix of grunge, whimsy, and joyful exuberance.

A standout moment from their set included a surprising yet equally excellent cover of Gorillaz’s hit track “On Melancholy Hill,” which they performed alongside Ginger Root, who (sadly) had to read the lyrics from his phone, though it didn’t take away much from the overall joy that was evoked from singer Michelle Zauner’s gorgeous take on the classic.

Megan Thee Stallion

Despite some microphone hiccups, Megan Thee Stallion commanded the main stage with a genre-blending, high-octane show that had the crowd buzzing all weekend long. With surprise guest appearances from Queen Latifah, Victoria Monét, and Ciara, Megan brought an extra layer of excitement to her set. But it wasn’t just the star-studded lineup that stole the show; it was Megan’s undeniable joy and raw energy. She was clearly in her element, radiating confidence and pride in how far she’s come to land on the iconic Coachella mainstage.

From the hilarious, almost Bigfoot-esque backing dancers (who totally owned their quirk) to Megan’s infectious smile and playful moments with her guests, it was impossible not to be swept up in the fun. Of course, the twerking, stunning beauty, and her overall magnetic presence were just the cherries on top of an enthralling performance.

Charli xcx

For what could be considered as her biggest Coachella set to date, Charli XCX made the bold decision to have nothing but herself as the central attraction of her performance on the main stage over the weekend. Luckily, it was a gamble that paid off — the English pop star’s energetic performance stood out as one of the best sets of the festival, with credit to her impressive showmanship skills and an undeniable joie de vivre that enraptured audiences from beginning to end.

Though the majority of the setlist merely consisted of BRAT, Charli’s stage presence was further amplified by buzzy surprise guest appearances from Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish, and Lorde, who each showed up to perform their respective features from the record’s remix album. Unlike what some would state elsewhere, her performance was more than just camp, but a provocative demonstration of an artist who is fully in command of her craft, reaching the pinnacle of her career at that very moment.

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Lady Gaga

If there was any Coachella performance that everyone has been talking about over the past few days, it’s undoubtedly that of celebrated pop icon Lady Gaga.

Taking the main stage this year (following a delayed headlining set in 2020 due to the festival’s cancellation during the COVID pandemic), Gaga delivered what could undoubtedly be recognized as one of the best headlining sets in Coachella’s 26-year history. It’s rare to see such an intricate demonstration of a musician’s dedication to their work as this one, given that the hitmaker’s nearly two-hour show took audiences on a thematic journey that celebrated the impact of her expansive discography over the years.

Whether it was the astounding stage designs, an abundance of costume changes, the jaw-dropping choreography, or even the seamless nature of its setlist, this particular set could single-handedly be described as Gaga’s best musical performance ever. Even when one considers the amount of effort that went into her and her team’s thought process and preparations, it was clear that Gaga’s Coachella 2025 set could very well be the pinnacle of her artistry — serving as both a celebration of her career and a reminder that she is not an artist that you would ever underestimate.