Day 1 of Coachella ended a few hours ago. For those who couldn't stay up until dawn to see what happened, here are some key moments of the day.
Sabrina Carpenter's Hollywood show
Sabrina Carpenter's full intro at #Coachella Weekend 1. #Sabchella pic.twitter.com/rKedw7DBxU
— Sabrina Carpenter Daily 2.0 (@SCdailyupdate) April 11, 2026
He said it two years ago: “I'll be back as a headliner.” And so it was. In these two years Sabrina has not only become one of the most important pop stars in the world, but she has certainly been preparing this show in detail for some time. Because it was just great. Perfection, if we're talking about a pop concert. A long, very Hollywood cinematic intro of 7 minutes (in black and white for television), costume changes, dancers dressed as adoring dogs at his feet, cameos from Samuel L. Jackson, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell (all three with a small comic monologue). We mention the American 50s and 60s, we flirt, we joke. All right, all very sabrina. It really was the Sabchella that his fans hoped for. For everyone else, perhaps it is confirmation that we are faced with a pop star with a vision of sexy and light entertainment which is very necessary these days.
The return of the XX
INSANO ESSE SHOW DO THE XX NO COACHELLA!
Don't miss out on two great shows this year at the C6 Fest. 🤒 pic.twitter.com/bSQU0URF29— felipe (@felpsgalvao) April 11, 2026
They had done a few concerts under their belt in recent days around the Americas while waiting for this concert. They seemed more close-knit than ever, in very good shape. Did we miss them? Very.
Justice for Vanessa Carlton
Teddy Swims brings out Vanessa Carlton to perform 'A Thousand Miles' at Coachella pic.twitter.com/qzpywTyq4w
— FilmIndex (@FilmIndexMedia) April 11, 2026
Meme or no meme, A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton is perhaps one of the most representative pop songs of the MTV era of the early 2000s. Teddy Swims finally gave it the right recognition on such a stage. The American singer-songwriter invited Vanessa on stage and left her space to perform that piano turn that we all know by heart by now. Honor.
Radiohead's bunker
Above the party, the joy, the influencers' parade. Underground, however, the opposite. In fact, this year Coachella has opened a new space – the Bunker – in which this year a Radiohead installation/exhibition designed by Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood was set up. A refreshing break from the sun, of course, but also and above all a violently intellectual response to a festival increasingly bent towards pop.
Katseyes turn golden
Katseye brought out HUNTR/X to perform 'GOLDEN' at #Coachella pic.twitter.com/mkxxvIMLJp
— FilmIndex (@FilmIndexMedia) April 11, 2026
There was great anticipation for the American K-pop girl band and the wait was rewarded. And the wait was rewarded also because Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami, the voices of Kpop Demon Hunters, arrived on stage, with whom the group performed Golden, the winning song at the latest Oscars.
The wind ruins Anyma's party
It would have been the first Italian headliner in history. But instead the weather was against it and Anyma was unable to perform. The EDM producer had to give in when faced with the strong wind that rose in the desert during the night and forced the closure of his stage before the scheduled time. Very unfortunate.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
