First class-chella

 

Here are a few highlights from this nice little 2022 Californian shindig, 7 to be exact:

1. Billie Eilish, famously the festival’s youngest-ever headliner, did not disappoint — although very few imagined she would. Performing sets on both weekends, she made all sorts of memories, from bringing on stage Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Damon Albarn to falling on her face (sh*t happens) to otherwise performing like the stage queen that she is…
2. Arcade Fire made a surprise appearance at this year’s festivities. They were announced last minute and the news instantly became viral. A huge live favorite, they brilliantly did their piece once again, performing both brand new tracks and some of the classic songs, including the unavoidable “Wake Up” — which they once sang with David Bowie, lest we forget…
3. Megan Thee Stallion — speaking of powerhouses — not only performed at Coachella for the first time this year, but she did so in absolute style. She notably premiered her new song “Plan B”, which is more or less the 2022 feminist equivalent of an Ice Cube ACAB track circa 1989. Respect…
4. One-time One Directioner Harry Styles showed that he is the new dominating force in pop with masterful performances — which happened to coincide with his new single “As It Was” hitting #1 on the Billboard charts. The uber-charismatic singer managed to surprise his audience ever so slightly when pop veteran Shania Twain showed up on stage for a memorable rendition of “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”. And then there was Lizzo…
5. Doja Cat might have been challenged on the feminist front by the likes of Billie Eilish, let alone Megan Thee Stallion, she nevertheless managed to take over the stage in her own unique way. Her remarkably stylish, sophisticated and spectacular show, which included pyrotechnics and first rate choreographies, proved that she is without a doubt one of the leading ladies of pop. Let’s just hope she doesn’t retire…
6. Danny Elfman provided one of the most surprising and wonderful moments of the fortnight, performing on stage under his own name for the first time in decades. The man, who is most well known today as a film composer, actually got his start in music with the 1980’s new wave band Oingo Boingo and, it turns out, never lost his touch for live theatricality…
7. Last but not least, he may have showed up for only a handful of songs, but that was enough to cause a storm: LA’s own Kendrick Lamar was a surprise guest in Baby Keem‘s set, whom he joined to perform the duet “Family Ties”. He then stayed on for another song and that was it. Coincidentally, he (finally) announced his long-awaited new album. Big days, we keep telling you…