Coachella 2025: Ed Sheeran, Cynthia Erivo and other Saturday highs and lows
The weather on Saturday during Weekend 2 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival couldn't have been better, with 80-degree temperatures during the day and a gentle breeze. Since Saturday is often the busiest day with the most highlights, it was off to a great start with Ed Sheeran making his Coachella debut and the Weekend 2 crowd anticipating sets by Charli XCX, LA Phil, Green Day, Travis Scott, and more.
THE HIGHS
Ed Sheeran's performance drew thousands of fans to the Mojave tent
Ed Sheeran's Coachella debut was announced as a last-minute surprise addition for Weekend 2 shortly before the festivals began, and the British singer-songwriter didn't disappoint. Thousands of people packed into the Mojave tent and its surrounding areas before Sheeran took the stage to hear him perform songs such as "Shivers," "Photographs," and "Don't" with the Blackstreet song "No Diggity" blended in.
LA Phil brings new guests
Even though the LA Phil had the same guests from Weekend 1, such as Icelandic singer Laufey and Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso, the orchestra brought new guests for Weekend 2. Already announced special guest Natasha Bedingfield, who sang "Unwritten," former Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl on “The Sky is a Neighborhood” and "Everlong," and a spectacular ending by Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, who sang "Brick by Brick" and a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain."
The concert went a few minutes over the Philharmonic’s slated end time, but thankfully, Erivo was given the time to leave us with her unforgettable vocals.
Charli XCX delivered another banger mostly by herself
Even though Charli XCX had Addison Rae as a special guest, she put on a banger of a set by herself and still managed to fill the stage and hold the crowd with her energy alone. Comedian and podcast icon Bowen Yang and creative partner Matt Rogers were also in the front row and appeared on the video screen during "Apple Girl."
THE LOWS
Travis Scott's 'Cactus Jack' installation is an eyesore
After spending five days in the media tent next to the "Cactus Jack" installation created by rapper Travis Scott, I have begun to view the exposed scaffolding, boxcars, and the entrance sign as an eyesore. If Scott was aiming for a "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" or other post-apocalyptic theme, it could have been executed more effectively with enhanced immersive features and better aesthetics.
The music is live, but the grass isn't
As the winds settle into a gentle breeze and temperatures cool down this weekend, the grass is starting to wither and is already dead in many places at the Empire Polo Club, and allergens are becoming more prevalent at the festival. Compared to Weekend 1, more festivalgoers are wearing masks this weekend, and the situation will likely worsen for Stagecoach next weekend. If you're attending Stagecoach, pack your Claritin and any other items you may need to alleviate allergy-related discomfort.
Politicians don't even want to come back for Weekend 2
One downside of Weekend 2 is the overall lack of special guests. Many of the sets from last weekend have less, some have the same amount, but most have none at all in Clairo's case, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders didn't return to introduce her, nor did any other politician.