WELCOME TO THE B-LIST, YOUR WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF CELEBRITY MESS AND POP CULTURE. THIS WEEK: A much needed recap of the first weekend of this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
*music out*
Coachella welcomed music fans into the blazing desert sun this past weekend, delivering a packed weekend of major musical moments—and a few faux pas. Known for drawing huge crowds decked out in the hottest Boho-chic attire, Coachella has become a major entity in American popular culture, which is why we, at the B-List, are here to keep you informed about all of this year’s happenings in Indio.
Starting first with Friday, Tyla made her Coachella debut this year, cooling off the desert with a set capped off with a performance of her hit “Water.” Other performances throughout the day included up and comer GloRilla, long time legend Missy Elliot, and LISA of BLACKPINK fame, who made reference to her character in “The White Lotus” during her fiery set. Benson Boone wowed the stage with a bombastic cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” bringing out founding member Brian May to play alongside him. The end of the night saw an epic headlining performance by pop legend Lady Gaga, who brought theatrics to the desert to celebrate her newest album “Mayhem.”
Moving into Saturday, legendary bands Weezer and Green Day proved that rock is as alive as ever, with both delivering a flurry of their greatest hits. Charli xcx proved that Brat Summer continues on in her electrifying golden hour set, bringing out stars like Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish to complement her punchy performance. Other major highlights include an energized set from rapper Travis Scott and indie singer Clairo bringing out U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders to deliver a political message.
Into the last day, Sunday featured a headlining performance by rapper-turned-country star Post Malone, who offered a celebratory set on a stage converted into a Formula 1 race track. Rapper Meghan Thee Stallion powered through her set despite a handful of technical issues, while BLACKPINK’s Jennie made her solo debut in the desert. Other notable moments include Addison Rae’s cameo in Arca’s set, a lowkey mainstage bout by Beabadoobee, and a “Coachella Country Hour” debut by Shaboozey.
Through all of the Instagrammable content, to some, Coachella wasn’t as perfect as it was made to seem. This year’s festival has drawn comparisons to the doomed 2017 Fyre Festival, with some reporting waiting in twelve hour lines with no access to bathrooms or food to enter the campgrounds. Other reports include long waits for the on-site showers and problems with lockers.
*music in*
THAT’S ALL FOR THE B-LIST THIS WEEK. CHECK IN NEXT MONDAY TO HEAR ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS THIS WEEK IN POP CULTURE. FOR WNUR NEWS, I’M BAZIL FRUEH.
