REVIEW: Artistic Freedom and Cinematic Production Took Over Coachella 2026
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SOPHIE GRAGG ☆
Photo By Calder Wilson
Photo Provided By Pinterest
SINCE 2016, THE EMPIRE POLO CLUB HAS CALLED MY NAME EVERY APRIL, and I always pick up. Despite attending the festival for a decade, 2026 hit differently. For the first time in years, the festival sold out instantly and resale tickets were impossible to come by - and you could feel it the difference in the vibes the entire weekend. The energy was denser, fueled by a high-velocity pop crowd and a production level that made every set feel like it was being filmed for a 4K movie. While the wind tried its best to derail the weekend, claiming Anyma’s Friday night main stage set as its biggest casualty, the resilience of the crowd and the sheer quality of the performances and off-set activations made this one for the history books.
One of the weekend’s true highlights wasn’t on a main stage, but at the Red Bull Mirage. Positioned directly across from the Quasar stage, this three-story structure served as the ultimate hospitality sanctuary. We stopped by for the Sunday Happy Hour while Tinashe took over Level 2 for a surprise DJ set. Seeing her vibe up close with the crowd and bring out Olandria provided that intimate energy that defines the Coachella experience.
Staying festival-ready was easier than ever thanks to some massive brand integrations. Neutrogena’s SPF takeover ensured no one was skipping their reapplication, with over 250 gallons of Beach Defense distributed through eight on-site stations. Pinterest’s "poptimistic" sanctuary encouraged us to unplug with custom charms and analog cameras to capture physical keepsakes. Perhaps the most unique activation was MGA’s Miniverse, where we stepped into a miniature reimagining of the festival, complete with tiny working record players. On the culinary side, the Buldak Crawl was the talk of the food courts. As the official ramen partner, Buldak collaborated with festival favorites like Prince St. Pizza for a Spicy Buldak Not Ranch slice that left us thinking about that pizza slice for days. Importantly, the festival felt more conscientious this year with the return of the End Overdose tent, which provides life-saving education and resources, an essential pillar of modern festival culture.
Friday kicked off with history as Soraya became the first Filipina-American female DJ to play the Do LaB, followed by an infectious set from Fifi. By 3:00 PM, Slayyyter was commanding the Mojave with an energy that suggested she belonged on the main stage. The late afternoon brought the first real test of the weekend: the Yuma Tent. The hype for Kettama and Prospa resulted in a brutal hour-long line, but the high-octane energy inside was worth the wait. For those on the fields, the return of The xx was a full-circle moment for long-time attendees, while Sabrina Carpenter’s "Sabrinawood" set redefined theatrical pop. Though the cinematic video interludes occasionally broke the momentum, her performance, complete with a comedic Will Ferrell cameo, was a visual masterpiece. The night eventually belonged to Disclosure, whose set at the Outdoor Theatre provided the perfect high-energy catharsis.
Photo By Jamal Eid
Saturday was a study in contrasts. Addison Rae delivered what was arguably the surprise MVP set of the weekend; her commitment to the pop star fantasy was absolute, even bringing out Maddie Ziegler for "Aquamarine." Meanwhile, the Nine Inch Noize (Nine Inch Nails x Boys Noize) collab at the Sahara was a once-in-a-lifetime industrial odyssey that pushed production boundaries. While social media critiqued Justin Bieber’s stripped-back, laptop-driven headliner set, those of us on the field saw the intentionality. Influenced by his recent work with Mk.gee and Dijon (who both joined him on stage along with Tems, Wizkid and The Kid LAROI), Bieber gave us a raw, vulnerable, and genuinely happy performance. Watching him duet with projected versions of his younger self was deeply moving, easily our favorite set of the weekend for its sheer honesty.
Sunday was all about the muse energy. Little Simz commanded the Mojave with a lyrical precision that left the crowd in awe, while Mochakk turned the Sahara into a cohesive, video-game-themed universe. Duke Dumont ensured the energy stayed consistent for those of us who will never pass up a chance to dance to him. The final word, however, belonged to FKA Twigs. Her set was less of a concert and more of a performance art exhibition. From the pole choreography to the sheer emotional weight of her vocals, she left everything on the floor: a sweaty, passionate explosion that served as the perfect closing ceremony.
No Coachella review would be complete without a massive shout-out to our favorite corner of the polo fields: the Do LaB. Having backstage access again this year reminded us why this stage is the heartbeat of the festival. There is something special their ability to bring surprise guests like John Summitt and Romy out while bringing together b2b sets of attendees favorite DJs of the weekend, like Josh Baker and Prospa. The weekend finale was a historic recovery: after the wind canceled his Main Stage show, Anyma made his way to the Do LaB for a surprise b2b with Marlon Hoffstadt. It was the ultimate pivot, proving that at Coachella, the best moments are often the ones you never saw coming.
