Coachella 2025 boasted A-lister guest appearances, a dose of leftist politics, orchestral fusion and Y2K fashion.

Here are takeaways from the first weekend of the premier festival that draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to the California desert:

Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Benson Boone, Charli XCX, Tyla, Lisa, Jennie... the pop lineup ran deep at Coachella 2025, a reflection of the charts and the fanbases that ride or die with their idols.

Boone performed his hit of the moment "Beautiful Things" -- and did his signature showtime backflip, as well as a rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" backed by none other than Queen guitarist Brian May.

And Gaga's rendition of "Poker Face" was an example of the arena-ready performance art that made her one of the contemporary era's seminal pop stars.

Celebrated conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic meanwhile gave one of the weekend's most eclectic performances.

Their sunset show featured half a dozen guest appearances from........

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