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Coachella: the greatest performances of all time, from Beyoncé to Daft Punk
As Coachella kicks off once again, it’s the perfect time to look back at the seven most iconic performances ever seen at the festival, including those by Prince, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and Daft Punk…
Photo: Beyoncé at Coachella in 2018 by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images/Coachella
by Chloé Bergeret,
Publié le 12 april 2025. Modifié le 14 April 2025.
Beyoncé delivers a powerful performance at Coachella in 2018
As the first Black woman to headline the festival, Beyoncé left an indelible mark on Coachella. Originally slated for the 2017 edition, the star—partner to rapper Jay-Z—lit up the stage on April 14 and 21, 2018, with two hours of timeless hits and electrifying dance moves. In the heart of the Californian desert, the Crazy in Love singer delivered an XXL performance in front of over 100,000 festivalgoers, surrounded by a predominantly Black ensemble of musicians and dancers.
Dubbed “Beychella,” the unprecedented show featured a powerful setlist and surprise guests like Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child. Iconic and deeply committed to various causes—most notably the Black Lives Matter movement—the performance is immortalized in the Netflix documentary Homecoming, directed and produced by Beyoncé. The film retraces the meticulous preparation of the show with her dancers and musicians, alongside excerpts from the performance itself.
Daft Punk: the most spectacular live show of Coachella 2006
On April 29, 2006, Daft Punk gave us what is considered one of the most incredible performances of the year—if not in Coachella’s entire history. The globally famous robot-like duo took the stage from the top of a majestic LED-covered pyramid. The show—still available on YouTube—was nothing short of legendary. For 35,000 attendees, the French electronic duo mixed tracks from their first three albums in a breathtaking set.
As the beats of One More Time and Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger filled the air, ecstatic and frenzied fans whipped out their (then-basic) phone cameras to capture the surreal moment. Few can claim to have seen Daft Punk live—fewer still to have witnessed such a mind-blowing concert.
Prince: a legendary performance at Coachella in 2008
In 2008, after years of speculation and dashed hopes, Prince was finally confirmed as a Coachella headliner. On April 26, he took the stage and mesmerized the audience with iconic hits like 1999, Little Red Corvette, Purple Rain, and Let’s Go Crazy, alongside a slew of unexpected covers.
One moment particularly stood out: his rendition of Radiohead’s Creep. For eight emotional minutes, the American icon deeply moved the crowd. Sheila E. later joined him on stage, adding to the unforgettable atmosphere of this truly legendary set.
Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg: the legendary 2012 Coachella set that had it all
In 2012, a hip-hop dream team graced the Coachella stage: Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Kendrick Lamar, and even a hologram of the late 2Pac. This jaw-dropping performance is one that fans and regular festivalgoers will never forget. Tracks like The Next Episode, In Da Club, and I Need A Doctor still echo in the ears of those lucky enough to attend.
Stromae and Kanye West: an electrifying and unexpected duo in 2015
April 2015 saw an unforgettable surprise on stage. As Belgian singer-producer Stromae performed his dance anthem Alors on danse, Kanye West—who had remixed the song five years earlier—suddenly joined him on stage. The crowd erupted in cheers. This surprise appearance turned into an explosive duet, a magical moment for fans of both artists.
The Weeknd in tears on the Coachella stage in 2018
Shortly after his breakup with pop star Selena Gomez, The Weeknd gave a heart-wrenching performance at Coachella 2018. For over an hour and a half, in front of 100,000 fans singing along to Can’t Feel My Face and Starboy, he performed with emotional intensity. Tears streamed down his face during Call Out My Name, a clear nod to his heartbreak. The monumental stage setup—with a giant cracked face and hand—visually mirrored his emotional state.
The Cure: unshakable on stage at Coachella in 2009
In 2009, gothic rock legends The Cure pushed limits at Coachella. Known for marathon sets, the band played for over three hours—well past the festival’s curfew. During Boys Don’t Cry, half an hour after they were supposed to stop, frontman Robert Smith exclaimed, “They said we can play one more song—yeah, right!” They continued performing even without a working microphone, prompting fans to sing along loudly. Formed in 1978, the iconic band proved their fire and energy remain intact.
