The first weekend of Coachella 2026 has officially concluded, leaving behind a trail of memorable performances and cultural moments. Over three days in the desert, the festival showcased a diverse array of talent, ranging from pop icons making bold creative choices to rock favorites delivering raw, high-octane energy. Despite some challenging weather, the festival solidified its reputation as a premier destination for contemporary music innovation.
Turnstile and Not For Radio
Turnstile delivered a poignant set during a sensitive time for the band. Following the arrest of former guitarist Brady Ebert, the group opened with a series of pre-recorded videos, including a message from Bill Yates, the father of lead singer Brendan Yates, which resonated deeply with the crowd. The performance itself was a masterclass in intensity, featuring crowd-surfing and fan favorites like “Never Enough” and “Blackout.”
Later in the evening, Not For Radio—the solo project of The Marías’ María Zardoya—provided a late-night highlight. Despite the fatigue of a long festival day, Zardoya’s performance was captivating, featuring the live debut of an unreleased track titled “Fireflies After Dark.”
Sabrina Carpenter and Geese
Sabrina Carpenter lived up to the hype surrounding her “most ambitious show” to date. The spectacle included surprise appearances from Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, and Samuel L. Jackson, the latter of whom provided a memorable voiceover during a meditation segment. Meanwhile, the band Geese continued their streak of impressive live covers, surprising the audience by weaving a snippet of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” into their own track, “2122.”
Nine Inch Noize and PinkPantheress
A new supergroup, Nine Inch Noize, made their debut, featuring Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross collaborating with Boys Noize. The set was a masterful exploration of their combined discography, building on the momentum of their recent tour collaborations. PinkPantheress also commanded the stage, utilizing a rotating cast of collaborators including The Dare and Thundercat to elevate her performance.
Justin Bieber, Sombr, and Wet Leg
Justin Bieber’s headlining set proved to be one of the most divisive yet talked-about moments of the weekend. By incorporating a giant screen to play his own music videos and even a viral meme, Bieber turned the performance into a casual, nostalgia-fueled experience. Elsewhere, Sombr brought out Billy Corgan for a rendition of “1979,” while Wet Leg maintained their reputation for charm and energy, bolstered by a surprise appearance from Horsegiirl.
FKA Twigs
FKA Twigs closed out the weekend with a performance that highlighted her status as a high-effort, charismatic artist. Her choreography, which included a return to her signature pole-dancing, provided a striking and emotional conclusion to the first weekend of the festival.
