Watching Lady Gaga light up the screen in my living room, I felt transported to Coachella in Indio, California, where the pop icon declared she had built an opera house in the desert for her fans. And she had, complete with Roman columns, a giant sandbox, and an enormous chess board, all under the starry sky. For almost two hours, Gaga dazzled the crowd, performing everything from classics like "Bad Romance" to new tracks like "Abracadabra." Meanwhile, I was about 7,500 miles away in Sydney, Australia, experiencing this musical spectacle through YouTube's livestream. More people than ever are tuning into YouTube's Coachella livestream, with non-U.S. viewership doubling between 2019 and 2024. This year, I decided to immerse myself in the festival from afar.
The lineup was too tempting to resist, featuring acts like Jimmy Eat World, which sent me back to my Millennial roots. YouTube introduced new engagement features, including vertical livestreams and a "Watch With" option, allowing fans to view sets alongside their favorite creators. The "Multiview" feature enhanced my Coachella experience, enabling me to switch between multiple stages as if I were wandering the festival grounds. But first, I needed to prepare for the event.
In the days leading up to the festival, I scoured YouTube Shorts for outfit inspiration and settled on a rainbow mesh top paired with jeans. To familiarize myself with the artists I hadn’t yet discovered, I dove into YouTube Music's Coachella Playlists, finding a new favorite in the Mojave stage playlist. I set up notifications for the livestreams of stages that piqued my interest, as well as for individual sets through the new Coachella Livestream app. I was ready. However, in true festival spirit, I stayed up too late the night before and missed much of what I had planned to see.
Fortunately, YouTube's Multiview feature helped me catch up. With my outfit on and coffee brewing, I fired up YouTube on my TV and tuned into several streams showcasing four stages simultaneously. It felt like walking onto the festival grounds, hearing snippets of sound from different stages and following the siren call of whichever performance beckoned. I even spent some time with Tyla and Djo before opening the Main Stage livestream for Benson Boone's set. Known for his energetic performances, Boone did not disappoint, flipping on stage to the delight of the audience.
Inspired by his athleticism, I took Coachella with me to the gym, streaming LISA from the Sahara stage while I worked out. Missy Elliott’s Main Stage show propelled me through some grueling intervals on the treadmill. During my cool down, I checked out Missy’s merch via the shopping icon on YouTube, eyeing a cap that read, "Work It." I felt I’d certainly earned it after that workout.
Later, I returned to my couch, decked out in my rainbow mesh and with a refreshing beverage in hand, ready to enjoy Lady Gaga's performance with my partner. The excitement was palpable as we cranked the volume and cheered as the "Mayhem" unfolded on screen. It was thrilling to experience Gaga's artistry live, alongside thousands in California and millions of other Little Monsters around the globe. Now, I can’t wait for the second weekend’s livestream, scheduled to begin on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 4 p.m. PT.
Meanwhile, the fashion at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took on a different energy this year. On Friday, April 18, 2025, moto boots and Doc Martens replaced the usual cowboy boots, and black hues emerged as the new color trend, overtaking the pastels and whites that previously dominated. Lady Gaga, once again, was a major influence, as her performance last week was described as "dazzling," "impressive," and "uniquely artful." This week, she returned to the festival for round two, further solidifying her impact on the aesthetic of the event.
Attendee Edwin Gomez remarked, "She just always does it right," while showcasing his all-black outfit of draped dress pants, a baggy hoodie, and lacy black gloves, complete with a stuffed black cat attached to his belt. Fellow festival-goer Junior Casas echoed this sentiment, stating he’s been a true monster since the early days, crediting Gaga with transforming both fashion and music. "It’s always been based off her own artistry," he said.
The crowd reflected this newfound aesthetic, with many attendees opting for black or silver outfits. The unusually cool weather for Coachella, with highs in the upper 70s, allowed for creative layering that echoed Gaga’s iconic looks. While some festival-goers embraced the darker palette, there were still plenty of cowboy boots and colorful outfits scattered throughout the grounds.
As the festival continues, it’s clear that Lady Gaga has not only set a new standard for performances but has also redefined the fashion landscape at Coachella. With her influence felt both on stage and in the crowd, the festival has become a celebration of creativity and self-expression, uniting fans from around the world in a shared love for music and art.
As I prepare for the next weekend's livestream, I can't help but feel grateful for the technology that allows us to connect with such a vibrant event from afar. The energy, the outfits, and the performances create a unique atmosphere that transcends geographical barriers, making Coachella a global phenomenon.
