Lady Gaga Turns Coachella Into ‘Gagachella’ With 2-Hour Show

Lady Gaga made her triumphant return to the Coachella stage Friday night time, headlining the 2025 competition with a high-octane, career-spanning efficiency that thrilled followers and honored her legacy in popular culture.

The 39-year-old music icon kicked off the almost two-hour set in Indio, California with “Bloody Mary” from her 2011 album “Born This Method,” launching into an electrifying medley of fan favorites together with “Abracadabra,” “Judas,” and the era-defining “Poker Face.”

The response from Girl Gaga’s Little Monsters? Rapturous applause and cheers echoing throughout the desert.

From the beginning, Gaga signaled that this wouldn’t be simply one other greatest-hits run, because the set was layered with references to her most iconic visuals and moments.

Throughout “Paparazzi,” she introduced again the steel crutches seen within the 2009 music video, and for “Unhealthy Romance,” she theatrically laid beside skeletons whereas a dancer donned a white crown evocative of her unique look.

“Girl Gaga completely OUTDID HERSELF,” one person wrote on X, the social media platform previously often called Twitter, after seeing the efficiency. “That was probably the most unbelievable, creative, theatrical efficiency of her profession. She is what you name an ARTIST.”

“THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LADY GAGA,” one other expressed. “THIS IS EVERYTHING I WANT AND MORE.”

All through the night time, Gaga continued to mix previous and new, debuting tracks from her seventh studio album, “Mayhem,” together with “Illness” and “Killah.” The latter featured a particular look from producer Gesaffelstein, who collaborated with Gaga on the monitor.

“I actually love that document,” she informed Uproxx forward of the present. “It’s the Gesaffelstein characteristic. It’s extremely assured, extremely funky, tremendous distinctive and funky.”

She added, “I’ve by no means completed something prefer it earlier than, in order that’s making me really feel actually excited simply to do one thing I haven’t completed but earlier than.”

Followers additionally clearly cherished it because the reward poured in on social media, with one Little Monster saying, “Wow! Girl Gaga actually outdid herself with this present!”

“Girl Gaga… You may need simply taken that #1 spot for one of the best Coachella efficiency of all time,” one other declared.

Teasing the present prematurely, Gaga promised there could be “Mayhem within the Desert” however initially saved the main points beneath wraps.

“I genuinely don’t wish to give something away about Coachella,” she informed Uproxx. “I do know that’s heartless of me, in a approach, however I might actually cry on the telephone with you simply eager about how excited I’m to do that present, and I would like it to be a complete shock, and need everybody to have as a lot enjoyable as doable.”

This yr marks Gaga’s second time main Coachella’s predominant stage. She beforehand headlined in 2017, stepping in with simply two weeks’ discover after Beyoncé canceled as a consequence of her being pregnant with twins Rumi and Sir.

“Following the recommendation of her docs to maintain a much less rigorous schedule within the coming months, Beyoncé has made the choice to forgo performing on the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Competition,” a rep for the “Texas Maintain ‘Em” singer stated on the time.

Regardless of the quick prep window, Gaga delivered a standout present that yr, together with hits like “Poker Face,” “Phone,” “The Remedy,” and “Unhealthy Romance.”

She additionally used Weekend 2 of the competition to make a serious announcement, her function in “A Star Is Born,” giving followers a primary have a look at the movie’s manufacturing, a few of which was shot at Coachella itself. On stage, she gave a heartfelt because of her co-star and director, Bradley Cooper.