Oh, sweet, sweet Coachella! The time has finally come, and we can’t help but thank the festival gods. As we inch further into weekend one, allow us to offer some unsolicited advice for surviving the three-day weekend music series. A golden rule, of sorts; Cast your fate to the desert wind. I know, so profound, right? But trust us here, this ain't our first rodeo. One moment, you could find yourself lounging on the grass, mingling with newfound friends, and the next, stumbling upon a DJ spinning a track destined to become your summer anthem. Each passing minute brings unpredictability, yet the promise of incredible music and infectious vibes. For those wishing to experience the festivities from the comfort of their homes, don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Highsnobiety and YouTube have joined forces to deliver the Coachella experience directly to you, regardless of your location. Taking you behind the music, quite literally, the YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio—situated behind Coachella’s main stage—offers a candid, uncut, and intimate look at your favorite artists.
DAY THREE - SUNDAY, APRIL 14
Hard as it is to believe, weekend one of Coachella ended yesterday with nothing short of a bang. Spurred by the knowledge that it was the last day of festivities until Friday rolls back around, attendees were extra eager to soak in the desert vibes and catch more exhilarating sets on Sunday. Fittingly, ‘90s rock group Taking Back Sunday were first up in the YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio, adding to our roster of nostalgic guests from days one and two.
The trend of capturing icons from across the eras continued as Busta Rhymes pulled up, fresh off a surprise appearance at YG Marley’s rousing set featuring hit single “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.” Marley, the grandson of Bob Marley, stopped by himself to take portraits with his other surprise guest: his mother, neo-soul legend Ms. Lauryn Hill. Hill had joined him along with Wyclef Jean for a mini-Fugees reunion that had everyone singing along. Between Marley’s fringe leather pants and Rastafari jacket and her yellow suit and metallic-beaded braids, the musical family offered a masterclass in festival fashion.
Between shoots, artists relaxed in lawn chairs in the photo studio’s garden, playing Jenga and garden games while music from across the grounds drifted by. At one point, a “Cowboy Carter” promo banner flew overhead—reminding attendees of the cultural reset that was Beychella in 2018 while highlighting Beyoncé’s recent mega-hit country album.
As the day heated up, so did the energy in the studio. Tinashe made a memorable impression as she posed for snaps in a trendy fuzzy red hat. The "Nasty" singer chatted about her love of aromatherapy and how she dresses to match what she’s feeling at any given moment—with comfort being a priority. Trio Flo brought unmatched girl-group energy, breezing in with their on-stage outfits after a killer set that had fans deeming it Flo-chella. They spilled that their pre-performance ritual includes holding hands and chanting, “Pussy, cunt, slay...and then we walk on and we slay!” Other artists visiting the photo studio included ethereal R&B multi-hyphenate Girl Ultra and SPINALL, a Nigerian DJ who was immaculately outfitted.
Outside the studio, day three’s lineup attracted some of the biggest crowds of the weekend. Reneé Rapp and guest Kesha took over the Outdoor Theater to perform 2009 anthem “Tik Tok.” Nightfall brought Highsnobiety cover alum Lil Yachty to the Mojave Stage, following an enthralling Tems set. J. Balvin and guest Will Smith delivered a sci-fi-infused “Men In Black” performance that’s sure to spawn many memes. Finally, headliner Doja Cat wrapped up the night with a hypnotizing set that was the perfect send-off for the wild, wonderful weekend. The main takeaway: this Friday can’t come soon enough.
Keep scrolling to catch up on all the best moments of weekend one, and if that doesn't quite scratch your Coachella itch, stay tuned for weekend two. There's a lot more where that came from!
DAY TWO - SATURDAY, APRIL 13
On the heels of an energizing opening night, Coachella’s second day came in hot—and we aren’t just talking about the temperature. As festival goers streamed into the desert for another jam-packed day of thrilling performances and spectacular style, the YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio welcomed back-to-back talent to cool off and snap some stunning portraits. Palace, an alt-rock band from across the pond, were infectiously hyped for their Coachella debut. Other studio guests from around the world included London singer Raye, who scored 6 Brit Awards just last month, Spain’s post-punk breakout Depresión Sonora, K-Pop girl group LE SSERAFIM and Afro-Cuban rockstar Cimafunk—the latter commanding attention in a grungy pink vest and matching bedazzled sunglasses.
California band Sublime held a speaker-busting performance on the main stage featuring the group’s surviving original members and new frontman Jakob Nowell—the son of founding member Bradley Nowell—who stepped into the photo studio to take a few portraits. He was followed by more Cali natives, from “Die Hard” rapper Blxst, who chatted about his pre-show ritual, to Channel Tres, who spilled on the secrets to his flawless skin (a monthly facial and sunscreen, of course). Also gracing the studio: Jack Antonoff of Bleachers who took the stage as pianist for Lana Del Rey’s buzzy set the night before alongside Jon Batiste and Billie Eilish. The multi-hyphenate artist shared what inspires him when creating music: “Conversation with whoever's in the room. Music should feel like a conversation.”
Speaking of conversations, several performances from Saturday had everyone talking. Crowds sipped Matcha Tonics and fresh-squeezed watermelon juice as they witnessed Ice Spice take over the Sahara stage—in furry boots, no less. Gwen-Stefani-helmed group No Doubt held quite the reunion with their first performance in nine years, featuring a surprise performance of 2000 track “Bathwater” by pop darling Olivia Rodrigo. Finally, headliner Tyler, the Creator kept the party going well into the night with an electrifying set that had everyone shouting along—because if you aren’t losing your voice before Sunday night, you aren’t doing Coachella right.
DAY ONE - FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH
A few words to describe Day One? “Truly unforgettable,” but we aren’t sure even that does the day justice. The YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio transported the musicians of Day One to a nostalgic ‘90s bedroom. A nod to the sentiment that most music connoisseurs discover the songs that define their youth (and arguably adulthood) in the comfort of their childhood bedroom. Although there weren’t any new songs being discovered, it’s safe to say music’s boldest and brightest stars felt right at home in the YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio.
Sid Sriram set the tone for the day, kicking off the first few snaps captured in the studio, followed by burgeoning songstress Chloe Bailey and Y2K legend Lance Bass. The NSYNC heartthrob notes, "Coachella has morphed into a fashion extravaganza, and I'm all for it. It's all about embracing your style, so don't be surprised if you see me sporting four different outfits today."
While the energy within the photo studio’s four walls soared, outside, the melodic madness that comes with Coachella amplified. Amidst the excitement, festival attendees indulged in decadent sushi from KazuNori, along with complimentary drinks, free portraits, and live photo editing tutorials at the Google Pixel booth. Be sure to thank them later for those flawless Coachella selfies. The day also featured electrifying performances from artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Deftones, who also popped into the YouTube x Highsnobiety Photo Studio.
As the day unfolded and the ambiance shifted, Sabrina Carpenter graced the mainstage from 6 to 7, where she ended her performance with a Coachella-specific “Nonsense” outro, “All about the balls, I’m Cinderella. Only use my mouth; that’s acapella. I’m so glad you came for me, Coachella,” igniting a wave of roars from the crowd. The evening reached its crescendo, with Lana Del Rey commanding the mainstage with a spellbinding performance. Fans were seen crying, cheering, and singing along (we may have also shed a tear, or it might have just been our allergies, we’ll let you decide).
While experiencing Coachella in person may seem like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the YouTube app ensures that the magic can be enjoyed from anywhere. So, sit back, relax, and soak in the Coachella vibes, and stay tuned for more–live from Indio.
Can't get enough? Put your favorite performances of the day on replay!
