Coachella 2022: Weekend One Highlights

Over the weekend just gone all eyes (and phone camera lenses) were focused on Indio, California as Coachella made it's long-awaited return.

After three desperately dry years in the desert, waves of festival-goers from around the world flocked to the USA's West Coast in what was arguably the most highly-anticipated congregation of contemporary musicians in recent memory. 

It's been a bumpy ride to get there, and the festival's reinstatement hasn't been sans drama - several delays and postponements meant wholesale lineup changes, and even the fully confirmed roster for this edition didn't see it through with Kanye West pulling out only weeks ago. You wouldn't have noticed however, given the good spirits and sheer jubilation on the faces of the artists and audience alike.

So, one week down, one to go. Here's our highlights from Coachella's first weekend.

Headliner Harry Styles

Harry Styles' transformation from adolescent boyband member to bonafide pop god was completed during his debut Coachella set, and a headline set at that. Adorned in a glittering Gucci jumpsuit and with his arsenal of hits (and a Shania Twain duet), he sashayed across the stage with the swagger of knowing his entry into pop music's pantheon is fully justified.

Arcade Fire's (Not So) Secret Set 

After a few years out, Arcade Fire are seemingly (given the anthemic nature of recent single 'The Lightning I & II') back to their choral, fist-pumping best. Capable of headlining the festival themselves, they instead offered a snippet of things to come with a 'secret set'. Evidently it wasn't so secret, as they drew in one hell of a crowd. 

Danny Elfman's Movie Music Muscle

One of the weekend's biggest surprises - 68-year old composer Danny Elfman, supported by a impressive orchestra and an even more impressive physique, performed an array of his theme tunes from over the years including Tim Burton's Batman, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Simpsons, and more. All completely topless. People marvelled at his youthful appearance, others were mystified by his macabre, show-stopping set. 

Phoebe Bridgers Finally Makes It

Having been to Coachella as a punter, several years back Phoebe Bridgers tweeted asking to help get on the festival's lineup. Two years after the release of her lauded album Punisher, she made it. Not only was her set emotive and epic, she invited her pal Arlo Parks on stage for a perfect emo-indie match up, only to return the favour with Arlo's set a day later.

BROCKHAMPTON Call It Time At Coachella

Rap troupe BROCKHAMPTON called it quits recently, and announced that alongside a couple of dates at London's Brixton Academy that Coachella would be their final stop before disbanding. They brought their A-game to Indio, and their set truly popped off. There's only one more chance to see them live - they're making it count. 

Megan's 'Hot Girl 'Chella'

Megan Thee Stallion has taken no prisoners in her phenomenal rise to rap superstardom in recent years, and China's coverage of the festival was her latest victim. Her performance saw the country's censors struggling to block out her provocative choreography and hyper-feminist anthems like 'WAP'. There's certainly no dampening the sentiments of this 'hot girl' firebrand. 

Billie Eilish's Set Made Us 'Feel Good'

As the youngest ever headliner Coachella has invited to perform at their California home, Billie Eilish asked an old head to even out the median age on stage, as legend Damon Albarn joined her for a bouncy rendition of Gorillaz' 'Feel Good Inc.'. Not that she required previous expertise of headlining - Eilish is the finished article already as her Saturday slot proved. 

Coachella 2022 takes place again next weekend. For your tickets and travel packages, head to our shop here.