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Most iconic Coachella performances that changed music forever
Unforgettable Coachella moments that still has fans talking
No other festival has managed to concentrate the same amount of culture into its celebration the way Coachella has. It's not just another festival in the desert.
It is the convergence of culture, music, and style, with its own global standing. Coachella has gifted us with truly historically significant performances. These are the ones consistently mentioned and marvelled at by attendees.
Beyoncé headlining in 2018
was a massive leap for the music industry. It was not just another performance. It was history in the making.
She was the first woman of color to headline the festival and she did not let the opportunity go to waste. She put on a spectacular performance with unique and innovative dance routines, which she gloriously accompanied with live music, and a touching homage to Black Colleges.
Daft Punk
Back in 2006, festival production was a rather novel concept. Daft Punk, was the clear precursor of that. They are known for their performance in the glowing pyramid at the Sahara Tent, which subsequently became the rave cathedral.
Unanimously, this performance was considered to be the peak of electronic music. The performance became the standard by which other performances were measured.
Tupac’s 2012 hologram
Coachella took the real and illusion boundary too far in 2012 when Tupac was brought back as a holograph by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.
It shocked the audience so much that the use of technology in live music remains a controversial topic of debate. It was strange, memorable and a real culture shock wave.
Madonna’s 2006 surprise
Madonna does not like to be outshone, and her spontaneous Sahara Tent appearance was just that. She made it an intimate nightclub to the fans and they remembered why she is still the Queen of Pop. It was spontaneous, uninhibited, and innocent Madonna.
Lady Gaga’s 2017 spectacle
Lady Gaga had to take the place of a pregnant Beyoncé who had to drop out. Her 2017 performance featured strong-voiced vocals, fancy visuals, and the release of her single, The Cure. Gaga was very energetic and fearless and this turned out to be a theatrical show at night in the desert.
Prince’s 2008 guitar heroics
The 2008 set by Prince still lives as a legend. His passionate version of Radiohead’s Creep got the fans on their feet, and his presence and amazing guitar playing skills left everyone wondering why we needed to look any further to know that he was one of the best performers in music. It was a moment of Coachella of a lifetime.
