Coachella 2025 delivers big with surprise collabs: Troye Sivan, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian May & more stun fans
Coachella 2025 officially opened its gates on April 11, setting off a three-day whirlwind of electrifying performances with unexpected collaborations and unforgettable musical moments in the heart of the California desert. While the festival is always known for its surprise elements, this year’s lineup of unannounced guest appearances took things to a whole new level — thrilling fans and lighting up social media all weekend.
The legendary all-female band The Go-Go’s brought serious nostalgia to the Outdoor Theatre stage, giving fans a special treat when they welcomed Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day for a live rendition of their collaborative track “Head Over Heels.” The moment blended punk rock eras in a way only Coachella could pull off.
Meanwhile, over on the main stage, hip-hop took center spotlight as Three 6 Mafia amped up the energy by bringing out a slew of guest stars. According to The Hollywood Reporter, rap fans were blown away by surprise appearances from Project Pat, Blink-182’s Travis Barker, genre-blender Machine Gun Kelly and the always-iconic Wiz Khalifa. Their joint performance turned the stage into a cross-generational celebration of hip-hop’s evolution.
Pop icon Charli XCX made her Coachella debut with a headline set that had fans excited even before the music started. But the real highlight came when she brought out longtime friend and collaborator Troye Sivan for a powerful joint performance. The duo performed the live debut of Charli’s remix of Caroline Polachek’s “Welcome to My Island,” creating a dreamlike moment for fans of synth-pop. The pair’s history marked by their hit track “1999” and the recent SWEAT tour—made their reunion extra special.
One of the most talked-about surprises came courtesy of Queen legend Brian May . The iconic guitarist shocked fans when he joined rising star Benson Boone on stage for a soulful duet of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The crowd erupted as the classic anthem took shape with May later calling the moment “golden” in a heartfelt social media post shared after his performance with the 22-year-old sensation.
Closing out the surprise train was EDM powerhouse Zedd, who brought singer-songwriter Maren Morris onstage. The two reignited the energy of their 2018 smash “The Middle,” which had last made waves at Coachella six years ago.
As always, Coachella 2025 proved itself not just as a music festival but as a cultural spectacle where the expected meets the unpredictable. Between major headliners and these explosive surprise acts, the weekend solidified its reputation as the pinnacle of live music experiences.
The legendary all-female band The Go-Go’s brought serious nostalgia to the Outdoor Theatre stage, giving fans a special treat when they welcomed Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day for a live rendition of their collaborative track “Head Over Heels.” The moment blended punk rock eras in a way only Coachella could pull off.
Meanwhile, over on the main stage, hip-hop took center spotlight as Three 6 Mafia amped up the energy by bringing out a slew of guest stars. According to The Hollywood Reporter, rap fans were blown away by surprise appearances from Project Pat, Blink-182’s Travis Barker, genre-blender Machine Gun Kelly and the always-iconic Wiz Khalifa. Their joint performance turned the stage into a cross-generational celebration of hip-hop’s evolution.
Pop icon Charli XCX made her Coachella debut with a headline set that had fans excited even before the music started. But the real highlight came when she brought out longtime friend and collaborator Troye Sivan for a powerful joint performance. The duo performed the live debut of Charli’s remix of Caroline Polachek’s “Welcome to My Island,” creating a dreamlike moment for fans of synth-pop. The pair’s history marked by their hit track “1999” and the recent SWEAT tour—made their reunion extra special.
One of the most talked-about surprises came courtesy of Queen legend Brian May . The iconic guitarist shocked fans when he joined rising star Benson Boone on stage for a soulful duet of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The crowd erupted as the classic anthem took shape with May later calling the moment “golden” in a heartfelt social media post shared after his performance with the 22-year-old sensation.
Closing out the surprise train was EDM powerhouse Zedd, who brought singer-songwriter Maren Morris onstage. The two reignited the energy of their 2018 smash “The Middle,” which had last made waves at Coachella six years ago.
As always, Coachella 2025 proved itself not just as a music festival but as a cultural spectacle where the expected meets the unpredictable. Between major headliners and these explosive surprise acts, the weekend solidified its reputation as the pinnacle of live music experiences.
Read more
