Halfway through Green Day’s headlining set on the second day of this year’s Coachella Music and Arts Festival, frontman Billie Joe Armstrong asked the audience if it was their first time at Coachella.
When about half of the crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers, Armstrong playfully said, “It’s my first Coachella too!” This was more than just a playful fib; Armstrong had actually performed a historic set at the Outdoor Theater on the Polo Field in 2014, stepping in as frontman for the then-reunited Replacements while singer Paul Westerberg relaxed on a couch onstage.
That night, a small group of hardcore alt-rock fans witnessed Armstrong fulfill his cult-hero dreams. In contrast, last night, a massive crowd of tens of thousands watched as Armstrong and his main band realized their destiny as torchbearers of rock music. As the sole announced rock headliner in the festival’s post-Covid era—Blink-182 had filled in last minute for Frank Ocean the following weekend—Green Day’s hit-laden 90-minute set was not just a celebration of their legacy but also a resounding affirmation of the enduring presence of alt-rock at a festival known for advancing the genre.
On a stage that the night before showcased a spectacular performance by Lady Gaga, Green Day embraced the classic rock elements that have made them a beloved band across generations. Explosive bursts of pyro punctuated hits like “American Idiot,” “Basket Case,” and “Hitching a Ride.” In fact, one errant firework at the end of the set even briefly ignited a palm tree backstage—kudos to the on-site team for extinguishing it quickly enough that it didn’t disrupt the festival.
Armstrong energetically ran up and down the massive catwalk, racking up an impressive number of steps by the end of the performance. Longtime bandmates, drummer Tre Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt, attacked their instruments with their signature blend of humor and intensity, supported by three touring members who filled the expansive venue with a rich sound of guitars and keys.
Interestingly, Green Day’s set was notable for what it lacked: there were no covers—save for brief teases of “Iron Man” and a few seconds of “Free Falling”—and no special guests apart from two audience members they invited onstage. One woman, clearly in awe, joined in to scream the end of “Know Your Enemy,” while a confident guitarist from the crowd helped close the set with “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” displaying such enthusiasm that Armstrong had to rein him in. With a setlist centered on the power of singalongs, Green Day demonstrated that their catalog is still more than enough to secure their place—and rock music’s—on one of the biggest stages in the world.
It could be said that there were three headliners on the main stage Saturday. Just before Green Day, pop star Charli XCX drew the largest crowd of the day with a surprisingly minimalist set featuring multiplatinum guests like Troye Sivan, Lorde, and Billie Eilish, all performing Charli’s biggest hits amid flashing white lights and a mid-stage lift. Closing the night was rapper Travis Scott, who, originally set to headline in 2020 before the pandemic, performed on the B-stage surrounded by flames and occasionally backed by a massive horn section half a mile away.
For those seeking pure joy during the day, two standout performances delivered just that. The first came from the ever-popular kids’ show band Yo Gabba Gabba!, making their second appearance at the festival a decade after their first. Their set, untouched by adult humor, was a delightful mix of nostalgia, wonder, and hilarity. Lead by 13-year-old frontgirl Kammy Kam, the group engaged an audience of adults in freeze tag and silly dances alongside their whimsical mascot-costumed friends. By the end, when Kammy brought out Weird Al, Thundercat, Portugal. The Man, DJ Lance Rock, and writer Paul Williams for a rendition of “Rainbow Connection,” the childlike joy radiating from the audience was both palpable and heartwarming.
Anyone who ventured to the Outdoor Theater was treated to a unique highlight: the LA Philharmonic’s first-ever Coachella performance under the baton of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who may actually be the biggest star on the field for some Angelenos. The set was masterfully arranged, with pristine sound that highlighted every violin note and rhythmic beat. The setlist featured guests like Laufey and Maren Morris amidst a collection of classical music favorites, culminating in an incredible collaboration between the expansive orchestra and hip-hop legend LL Cool J.
Dudamel has always positioned himself as a man of the people, and the embrace he shared with LL at the end of the performance demonstrated his belief in the unity of classical and pop music. As he approaches his final season as conductor in L.A. in 2026, this Coachella set serves as both a tribute to his significant impact on the city and a hopeful signal for a potential annual return to the desert.
Weezer made headlines earlier in the week when bassist Scott Shriner’s wife was shot by police during a pursuit of suspects in a hit-and-run case. While Shriner acknowledged the crowd with a fist pump upon taking the stage, the incident was otherwise left unmentioned. Instead, the band powered through hits like “Say It Ain’t So” and “Island In The Sun” with their characteristic deadpan sincerity, even surprising fans with a faithful cover of “Enter Sandman” that might have led some younger audience members to believe it was an original Weezer song.
The festival also took on a political tone at times, with Bernie Sanders introducing Clairo and delivering a greatest-hits stump speech reflecting on the current politically charged climate, suggesting that music serves as a vital outlet during such times. Just hours earlier, Sanders had hosted a rally in L.A. featuring stars like Neil Young, Joan Baez, and Maggie Rogers.
Green Day, for their part, altered the lyrics of their 2004 hit “American Idiot” to say, “I’m not a part of your MAGA agenda.” The crowd’s roar was fueled not just by the flames that accompanied the performance. From the energy of both moments, it’s evident that the generation present is passionate and engaged.
Stay tuned for more updates from HiCelebNews as we continue to cover the pulse of the music world.
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