Coachella Weekend One Delivered Sabrinawood, Surprise Guests, and a Natalie Nunn Moment
The desert heat hit different this year, but the lineup more than matched it. Coachella’s first weekend—April 10 through 12—rolled out headliners, reunions, and curveball collaborations that turned the Empire Polo Club into a nonstop highlight reel. These were the sets and surprises that stuck with everyone long after the last shuttle pulled out.
Photo Credit: Coachella
Sabrina Carpenter Transforms the Main Stage Into Sabrinawood
Friday night belonged to Sabrina Carpenter’s first headlining slot, and she treated it like a full-blown film set. She dubbed the stage Sabrinawood, complete with a glowing sign she danced around during “When Did You Get Hot?” Costume changes, sharp choreography, and theatrical bits kept the energy locked in. Will Ferrell popped up as a comedic repairman when the lights “failed,” Susan Sarandon delivered a monologue from a parked car about chasing the spotlight, and former Girl Meets World co-star Corey Fogelmanis played a waiter during a quick change.
The whole production felt cinematic without losing the pop punch—big screens, slick moves, and Carpenter’s voice cutting through every hook. It was basically the kind of polished spectacle that reminded the crowd why she’s been dominating stages lately.
Teddy Swims Packs an Afternoon Set With Living Legends
Later that same Friday, Teddy Swims turned his main-stage slot into a masterclass in surprise chemistry. He kicked things off strong, then brought out Joe Jonas for a smooth run through the Jonas Brothers’ “When You Look Me in the Eyes.” The duo traded verses with easy chemistry that had the early-evening crowd leaning in.
Next came Vanessa Carlton joining him for her timeless “A Thousand Miles,” the two of them trading lines like it was the perfect match for both. To close the guest run, David Lee Roth stormed the stage for Van Halen’s “Jump,” injecting pure ’80s rock swagger. Swims capped his own set with “Lose Control” before hopping on a tricycle and riding offstage. The sequence felt loose and joyful, the kind of set where every handoff raised the bar higher.
Bia Brings Out Natalie Nunn for Her Viral Track, “Doin What I Want”
Saturday afternoon in the Gobi Tent, Bia flipped the script in the best way. Midway through her set, she called out reality-TV star Natalie Nunn (the CEO of Baddies on Baddies: USA), who stepped up and delivered her viral track “Doin What I Want.” The performance hit like a shot of adrenaline—Nunn owned the moment with the same unapologetic energy that made the song blow up online. The crowd response was immediate and massive, easily ranking among the loudest roars of the entire weekend (and of course it went viral).
Bia kept the momentum rolling with a few other guests, but Nunn’s appearance became the instant talking point. And of course—she still had to make it back in time for the Baddies concert in LA that same day because she always stays booked.
Justin Bieber Makes His Headlining Debut Count
Saturday night, Justin Bieber finally stepped into the festival’s headliner role and wasted no time. He opened the show with familiar hits, then later brought out The Kid LAROI for their popular collab “Stay,” sending the main stage into full roar.
Later, he welcomed Dijon for “Devotion,” followed by Tems and Wizkid sliding in for a live “Essence” that turned the desert into an Afrobeat block party. The guests layered perfectly over Bieber’s catalog, giving the set both nostalgia and a fresh sonic spark. And between the YouTube-era callbacks to the seamless handoffs, it also felt like a victory lap that proved Bieber can maintain full command of the epic stage.
The xx Reunites for a Sunset Glow-Up
Also on Friday, The xx marked their return after nearly a decade away from Coachella. The trio—dressed in signature black—hit the Outdoor Stage at golden hour and opened with “Crystalized” before closing the set with “Intro.” In between, they rolled through favorites like “Angels,” “Fiction,” “Shelter,” and “VCR,” plus newer solo cuts from Romy and Jamie xx. The performance carried that quiet intensity the band is known for, but the crowd filled every pause with sing-alongs and phone lights. It was less about flash and more about presence—the kind of set that feels like closure and a new beginning at once.
In the end, weekend one offered attendees a little bit of everything—polished pop sets, raw reunions, and those perfect left-field surprises that only Coachella can pull off.
