The Coachella Performances You Loved—and What They Reveal About You

Coachella came and went, but if you were paying attention, the performances told you everything you needed to know about people. With so many acts varying from hip-hop to indie, everyone had a bit of a sampler of their playlist. Although many people describe their music taste as eclectic, the performances you were drawn to say a lot about you.  Here is a quick highlight of some of the performances I have seen online, including notes from the final weekend. 

 Katseye

I recently wrote about Katseye’s shift and how it’s changed audience perception. The current 5-member girl group performed their latest release Pinky Up at Coachella. I focused on weekend two performance, as I expected little change in two weeks. For their final performance, I would say that their vocals and stage presence continue to improve every time I see them. I will say that the performances fell a bit flat since the choreography and songs were designed for six people. 

From a distance, their outfits appeared well put together, but as the camera panned in, I noticed that the members had a hodgepodge of random clothing items. I usually advocate for body positivity and creative expression, but sometimes it feels like their company oversexualizes them to the point that outsiders don't know how talented they really are. Although they are technically adults, 2-3 years ago, half of the group were barely legal or minors, so seeing them being overly sexualized feels a little awkward and takes away from their true artistry. Hopefully, this opinion doesn't send me to the guillotine of K-pop fans or Eyekons. 

PinkPantheress

 Much like the other acts that I have watched, I have only witnessed their final performance, as that's when artists go all out. PinkPantheress had an airport-themed performance as it complemented her latest viral song, Statewide, and obviously, she's British. PinkPantheress is the type of artist who releases hits back to back to the point where this performance reminded me how extensive her catalogue is. I have also noticed how much her stage presence has improved since she debuted. For those who may not know, PinkPantheress first released music through a faceless account with a buttercup (The Powerpuff Girls) profile photo on TikTok (the profile picture is still there). Seeing that kind of growth makes fans appreciate the artist even more.

From the background graphics to the mash-ups of iconic UK pop and club songs, there was never a dull moment with her performance, especially when there were intermissions. Romeo by Basement Jaxx and Starz in Their Eyes by Just Jack were some of the songs that were played as PinkPantheress sampled them for her songs. During one intermission, Zara Larrson appeared and performed a club version of Midnight Sun. Other special guests included Janelle Monae, actor Tyriq Withers, Manon, and Slayyyter. Overall, the performance was simple yet amazing.

Joost

Another high-energy performance was from the Dutch artist, Joost. In 2024, Joost gained international recognition for his unique performance and song Europapa at Eurovision. Most noticeably, Joost was very vocal about the ongoing political issues and the participation of one country during such a tense global moment.  With the resurgence of heavy European DnB (Drum and Bass) and hardstyle, the crowd enjoyed the chaotic performance, especially when Joost did a parody of Justin Bieber's "YouTube" performance the weekend prior. 

BigBang

I also did an article on the K-pop group BigBang's first major performance since their military hiatus. There were new outfits for night 2 that suited the members well. The energy remained the same and was not a disappointment. I will say that there were anticipations for their member, T.O.P, to appear for the final night, as the last night is when Coachella artists tend to go all out. Even up until T.O.P's verse in the final song, Still Life, we thought that he would emerge from the smoke. Sadly, only his voice was played, and it felt like the members were confirming that he was not coming back to the group. Overall, the performance did not disappoint, and for a 20-year-old group that has carried K-pop to the US since its early days, I am definitely saving my PTO and selling my things for tickets this August. 

Justin Bieber

For this performance, I only saw clips where special guests like Big Sean, Sexyy Red, and SZA performed. Many described his performance as a part of his healing journey as he went through the time capsule of his older songs and videos he liked as a child. Billie Eilish also got to live out her fangirl dreams as she was pulled on stage for "One Less Lonely Girl." 

Honourable Mentions: 

Sabrina Carpenter: Stayed on brand with a Hollywood Glamour theme. The live band definitely adds extra flavor to her performance. Since I have already seen clips of her tour, I knew what to expect. Quirky and fun personality, but given what occurred during weekend one, I think she might be choosing her moments a little more carefully now, especially if she leans too hard into the “sexy funny” persona. It was impressive to hear the audience clearly. The set was pretty huge and completed the song she was performing, maintaining engagement as she doesn't make intense dance music. For the final weekend, she brought out the legendary singer Madonna by introducing her in the iconic hit, "Vogue." Madonna then debuted her new song "Bring Your Love." This song is a confirmation that we will have a WeSeal/H&M European dance vibes. Madonna talking about astrology wasn't on my bingo card; however, she has always been a "heal the world" girl, and her using her platform reminded me how vocal pop stars were in the 80s and 90s. They closed the show with Madonna's biggest hit, "Like a Prayer," and it reminded me that Madonna can still keep up with, and dare I say do better than some of the young girlies who don't 

The Strokes: I remember hearing about The Strokes in the early 2000s, but I specifically remember the lead singer, Julian Casablancas, being a part of a GAP commercial with Producer/Singer Pharrell and Santigold. The group created much buzz for their performance of their song "Oblivious." A song that vaguely discusses being free from the chains of society and announcing your political stance (a song released 10 years ago that is relevant to today). While performing, the group displayed photos of progressive political leaders who were believed to be taken out by an organization that I don't feel comfortable writing about here, along with the themes of protests, racism, and colonization. This performance brings back the art of music, where musicians use their gifts and platforms to talk about the atrocities of the things that have happened and continue to happen. While many may argue that music should be political, politics controls everything we eat, do, and listen to, and stating what side you are standing on as an artist gives your audience a safe space. 

With that being said, what could these big-name performances say about you? 
If you were drawn to:

THE REBEL CHAMELEON (Katseye): You get bored easily, so you’re always looking for something new and exciting. Katseye has a bit of a rebellious Victoria's Secret/GAP vibe. You can get dolled up for the club, but wear baggy sweats the next morning. You like to slow down sometimes and then pick up the speed; however, be careful, as you can crash. But if you disliked any of their newer songs before Coachella, I fear that you do not follow the beat of your own drum with your pinky up. 

THE GLOBAL IT GIRL (PinkPantheress): You are an international socialite who makes connections everywhere you go. Everyone knows your name, what you do, and what you are about. You hail where you came from and find creative ways to show your background most cleverly. Longevity and legacy are your goals for success in life. 

THE CHAOTIC SIGNAL (Joost): You’re the life of the party—even when no one asked you to be. Although you may appear well put together, everyone looks at you during a serious time, and laughter erupts. You are very vocal about what you stand for and don't care if the general mass does not give you the attention you deserve. Slightly chaotic at times, but always knows when to tone it down.

THE ICON (BigBang): You are unapologetically you, and it's what makes people drawn to you. You're loud (in a good way), people look to you for support, and you empathize with those who are outsiders. You may like a little leather here and there, but you are very experimental with your looks, and that makes people appreciate you more. 

THE HEALING ARC (Justin Bieber): You play it safe now—but that wasn’t always the case. During your teenage years, you were definitely chaotic (especially if you were a teen in the early 2010s with a social media platform). Breakups were definitely rough and maybe hard to get over, but you decide to move on. It's definitely important to slow down, feel things, and look towards your inner child to remind you who you are. 

THE CHARMER (Sabrina Carpenter): You're sweet and witty. The popular girls gravitate towards you because you have a naturally fun aura, think Marilyn Monroe. As mentioned, if you try to be too witty to the point where you come off as mean or rude, the crowd will slowly disappear. Be mindful and considerate. 

THE REBEL (The Strokes): You are a rebel who stands up for what you believe in, regardless of the setting. You have no problem teaching people about topics that would be considered taboo.  Any opportunity to speak out is better than not speaking up for your own benefit. 

Which performance resonated the most with you? Was there a performance that aligned with you that wasn't mentioned? Let me know, and I will see what the performance says about you.