“Weekend 2 is better than Weekend 1,” Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn boldly proclaimed during the band’s turn on the main Coachella Stage, during the second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21.
The Coachella veterans proved that sentiment, sounding as tight as ever, with impeccable production and the animated characters fans know and love popping up on the massive screen behind them. Their set was also laced with non-stop guests including Beck, Little Simz, Thundercat, Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), Del the Funky Homosapien, Bootie Brown and Friday headliner Bad Bunny for the new “Cracker Island” track, “Tormenta.” The surviving members of De La Soul, who also joined Gorillaz Weekend 1, returned to kick off “Feel Good Inc.,” with the most famous laugh in music history before closing with “Clint Eastwood.”
Bad Bunny’s performances also got some notable upgrades from his set during Weekend 1. The Weekend 2 delivery seemed better orchestrated and he had an energetic confidence that matched the crowd. His set utilized video content and stage design and, for the most part, was much more cohesive and quicker with the stage transitions.
Fans of Bad Bunny cheer during his performance on the main stage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Ashnikko performs in the Gobi tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Burna Boy performs on the main stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny headlines day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny headlines day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Burna Boy performs on the main stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Becky G performs on the main stage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Burna Boy performs on the main stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Kaytranada performs on the Outdoor Theatre stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Fans of Kaytranada dance during his performance on the Outdoor Theatre stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Ashnikko performs in the Gobi tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
From left, Bad Bunny and Arcángel perform on the main stage of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Ashnikko performs in the Gobi tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
FKJ performs in the Mojave tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
FKJ performs in the Mojave tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Whyte Fang performs in the Gobi tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Muna performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Angele performs in the Mojave tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Tobe Nwigwe performs in the Gobi Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Muna performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Doechii performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Doechii performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Fans dance to Jupiter and Okwess in the Gobi Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Lewis OfMan performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
A security guard sprays fans with a mister during Doechii on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Jupiter and Okwess perform in the Gobi Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
DannyLux performs in the Sonora Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Jupiter and Okwess perform in the Gobi Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Doechii performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Doechii performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Lewis OfMan performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Doechii performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
The Funk Hunters perfrom on the Do Lab stage during first day of weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Moonchild Sanelly performs with Gorillaz on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
The Weeknd performs with Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny performs with Gorillaz on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Crowd cheer as The Funk Hunters perfrom on the Do Lab stage during first day of weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Fans cheer for the Weeknd and Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Beck (left) performs with Gorillaz on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
The Weeknd performs with Metro Boomin in the Sahara Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Blondie performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny (left) and Arcangel perform on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Fans watch Bad Bunny on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny performs with Gorillaz on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Blondie performs in the Mojave Tent during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Bad Bunny performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Jaylene Garcia of Glendale, Ariz. (left), and Kid Phang and Conspiiring of Upland, Calif. pose during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio on Friday, April 21, 2023. (Photo by David Brendan Hall, Contributing Photographer)
Most of the set was similar tracks to Weekend 1 that included some of his biggest hits from “Un Verano Sin Ti,” and brought back Jhay Cortez, Jowell, Randy and Ñengo ‘Flow.
A notable difference from Weekend 1 was the special guests Arcángel who performed “La Jumpa” on the platform resembling the gas station where they played a surprise concert for fans in Puerto Rico in 2022.
He didn’t bring back Post Malone for “La Cancion,” and instead had Puerto Rican guitarist José Feliciano (who wrote “Feliz Navidad”), join him on stage to play the track along with “Yonaguni.”
With rapper, singer and actor Tobe Nwigwe’s set, it’s difficult to say what’s more impressive: the distinctive choreography and individual character of each dancer, the synchronization of the costumes (even for the special guests), or Nwigwe’s skills as a rapper and larger-than-life stage presence.
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Either way his performance in the Gobi Tent was a spectacle to behold. His guests included Duckworth, Coast Contra and Cee Lo Green, whose appearance came complete with the Gnarls Barkley track “Crazy.” The guests were an excellent surprise for the crowd, but after Cee Lo left the stage and they were all chanting “Tobe!” he didn’t need any other guests.
The main Coachella Stage continued to have technical difficulties. Rapper Pusha T started his performance over 15 minutes past the scheduled time and had his set interrupted by the on going audio situation. He performed his song “If You Know You Know” before he began pacing around on stage and said “These wires aren’t right,” he said. “Just give me my time. … I love y’all, man.”
He would go on to perform “Neck & Wrist” before eventually apologizing for the technical difficulties and explaining he wouldn’t be given extended time to finish his set.
Inglewood-native and singer Becky G powered through early issues and asked the crowd if they were able to hear her on the microphone. The audio issues arrived for the final time while introducing Cameroonian singer Libianca for “People.”
Fans remained unfazed as the crowd appeared pleased and danced while Becky G finished out her set with a cover of Selena’s “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” “Sin Pijama” with Dominican singer Natti Natasha and her song “Shower.”
Burna Boy dealt with some static while performing “Alone” during his set later in the evening. Gorillaz and Bad Bunny appeared to be free of any difficulties.
Despite having a set time that boasted competition from Metro Boomin at the Sahara Tent and the start at Bad Bunny on the mane Coachella Stage, Ashnikko came out to full Gobi Tent of fans ready to dance. The rapper and singer is not afraid to get weird. That level of fearlessness is a huge part of what makes it impossible to look away and why their fans are so dedicated. In front of a dystopian stage design and fierce dancers, they’re nothing if not a force.
“This is a festival that can really change your lives so thank you for being here with us,” said a grateful Katie Gavin, who earlier in the set strutted out like she owned all of Coachella during indie pop band Muna’s set at the Mohave Stage. Naomi McPherson and Josette Maskin are stars in their own right, with Maskin oozing an Alex Turner-level sex appeal and McPherson being the coolest one in the room. They ripped through fan favorites and once again brought out their Saddest Factory Records label boss Phoebe Bridgers and Boygenius for “Silk Chiffon.”
After the stage divers and mosh pits cleared for the Soul Glo in the Sonora Tent, DannyLux took the stage for a much mellower set, but was missing a bass player after the band reportedly got their bass stolen just before the set. It didn’t deter the singer and his band from delivering performance where fans sung along to tracks such as “Desamor,” “Si Supieras” “Jugaste y Sufri”.
“I can’t believe y’all are here,” DannyLux said in Spanish.
The set had a wholesome tone throughout with cheers and banter from the crowd when DannyLux, a local, shouted the Coachella Valley and raised a Mexican flag. At one point he brought out his father, who bought some very heartwarming freeway banners last weekend to support his, and he sang and danced along to his songs.
The Sonora Tent soon got filled to the brim with fans rushing in and standing up, on couches, tables and furniture to try and catch a glimpse of the performance before he brought out singer songwriter Cuco to perform “Decir Adios.”
The fun continued on the outdoor stage with Kaytranada’s turn which had fans grooving to his set. The Haitian-Canadian producer had a giant replica of his head painted white like a Greek statue that shot green lasers from the makeshift eyes. Another screen included the syllable breakdown of his name “kay-tra-na-da.”. With each spin on his turntable the cityscape glitched in a patterned motion distorting itself and then reappearing to its original state. The crowd wowed with every glitch of the pattern. The stage design and props are one of the many ways Coachella artists enhance their sets.
Kaytranada performed “10%” with Kali Uchis, but she did not join him for the live performance. He did however bring back H.E.R. to perform “Intimidated,” which had the crowd singing along.
Metro Boomin began right on time in the Sahara Tent with a special guest The Weeknd, who returned from his guest spot from last week, but continued playing at least five songs together with mosh pits opening up for special guest, Future. The people who didn’t make it through the chaos of swarming crowds found a comfy spot on top of the nearby water refill stations.
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