Introduction: My Coachella 2025 First-Timer Experience
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returned to Indio, CA, for their 23rd edition across the middle two weekends of April. This festival boasts a large lineup of diverse musical acts with artists ranging from basically every genre of music imaginable. At Coachella 2025, there was music for everyone! Another thing that is unique about this festival is the fact that ALL ages are allowed inside the grounds. Seeing little kids dancing on top of the speakers on stage in the Yuma Tent to Eli Brown’s dynamic techno set was for sure a core memory for me and them both. I love to see parents sharing the music festival magic with their kids from an early age (with proper earplugs, of course). If you’re planning your trip to the desert for next year and looking for Coachella tips and highlights, you are in the right place.
Camping at Coachella 2025: My GA Experience
Now let’s talk accommodations; the festival offered a range of different camping to glamping options. Personally, I stayed in the GA campgrounds with nothing but a couple of methodically planned outfits, a sleeping bag, some cup-o-noodles, a portable charger, and a vision for what my first Coachella experience would be like.
Let me tell you, Weekend One was HOT. Thankfully, there were plenty of Coachella staff members walking around the campgrounds selling ice, so my group was able to beat the heat. Additionally, the showers were just a short walk away from our campsite. I nearly cried tears of joy when I felt the cold water from the shower during Day One. The nice thing about camping at Coachella 2025 during Weekend One is that the grass is still green and fresh. It feels like you are camping in a lush meadow amongst a music-loving community.
Exclusive Perks for Campers: Pre-Parties and Silent Discos
Did I mention the campers have exclusive access to a Coachella pre-party, along with a silent disco after the festival ends each night? We were lucky enough to catch Chris Lake set the mood for the weekend on Day Zero after a long day of travel and setting up our campsite. After the festival ended each day, the afters-lovers headed over to the silent disco to keep the party going into the wee hours of the morning.
Livestreaming at Coachella 2025: Exclusive Stages You Can’t Watch at Home
Of the ten stages at Coachella 2025, seven were livestreamed on YouTube. Those seven excluded the DoLab, Heineken House, and the Yuma (during Weekend One). This allowed for a more “exclusive” experience for attendees, as viewers at home were unable to watch the full sets at these stages.
Weekend One Special Guests: Surprises on Stage
As for the festival itself, Weekend One is known for having better special guests, which I can confirm to be true from my personal experience. All of the artists performing DID NOT come to play! The bigger acts welcomed huge surprise special guests.
On Day One, Benson Boone performed his rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody with the legend himself, Brian May. The Queen Guitarist played his iconic solo live once again and paid tribute to the band and late lead singer Freddie Mercury. The fact that this was his first major public performance on a huge stage since he had a stroke in September of 2024 solidifies how iconic of an artist Brian is and exemplifies just how dedicated he is to the craft.
The following day, Charli XCX brought out the entire holy trinity of Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish, AND Lorde. The BRAT energy in the crowd became increasingly electric with each surprise guest who performed alongside Charli on stage. At the end of her performance, the screens on stage displayed messages that were seemingly from Charli’s stream of consciousness including declaring she “[Is] Charli,” a desire to stay in this moment forever, and ending with the powerful message of “PLEASE DON’T LET IT (BRAT ERA) BE OVER.” But will the BRAT era ever REALLY be over considering how groundbreaking of an electronic album it is? I doubt it.
The DoLab: Secret Guest Performances
The surprises did not end at the Mainstage Acts — the DoLab had five secret special guests slotted throughout the weekend. Each day, attendees were alerted by the DoLab via text message who the special guests would be. The bassheads attending Weekend One were extremely lucky because both Zeds Dead and Levity performed, whereas Weekend Two did not have any dubstep acts. Sara Landry also debuted her Blood Oath set with a stacked B3B between her, Amelie Lens, and Indira Paganotto. Talk about a girlboss moment.
Coachella Fashion: Trends and Must-See Outfits
Last but not least, Coachella would not be Coachella without the fashion!!!!!!!! I saw a lot of girls wearing crocheted attire, microshorts, chunky jewelry, disc belts (which I personally thought we left in 2024), and bikini tops. As for the men, Keinemusik’s fashion sense clearly had a huge impact amongst the male househeads. I saw patterned handkerchiefs tied around the neck/head EVERYWHERE. Light colored button-ups and western attire were also a fan favorite for male attendees.
Conclusion: Coachella 2025 Was Unforgettable
Overall, I found the production, music, and overall vibe of Coachella 2025 to be an incredibly unique experience. This festival really is comparable to no other. Like thousands of other attendees, I cannot wait to be in the desert again next year.