We Didn’t Camp in the Desert—But We Showed Up, New England Style

Let’s be real. Most of us didn’t fly out to Indio.
We stayed home. We streamed. We kept our flannel on.
But Coachella 2025 still hit like a wave—from Portland to Providence, Burlington to Boston.

Because here in New England, we know a moment when we see one. And this festival wasn’t just a collection of big names and bright lights—it was art. And we tuned in like it was church.

Lady Gaga’s Set Was a Whole Cinematic Universe—and We Loved the Drama

Lady Gaga didn’t perform. She staged an emotional opera disguised as a pop concert.
Her five-act story arc—complete with costume burials, haunting visuals, and a “Bad Romance” that felt more like a final reckoning—was pure theatrical genius.

People watching from snowy corners of New Hampshire were texting things like “Wait, is this the end of the Fame Monster era??” And then Gesaffelstein stepped in, and suddenly the desert looked like the inside of a Berlin nightclub.

We live for that kind of contradiction. Gaga understood the assignment.

Green Day Gave Us Punk, Politics, and One Accidental Fire

Green Day showed up loud, unapologetic, and more relevant than ever.
Their Coachella debut wasn’t just nostalgia—it was now. They played American Idiot, called out Trump, honored Gaza, and accidentally lit a palm tree on fire mid-set.

Somewhere in Rhode Island, someone watching from their kitchen table whispered, “That feels about right.”

Then they brought out The Go-Go’s, and we were all reminded that punk and pop were never mutually exclusive. Just layered, like a New England winter.

The Surprise Guests Were… Actually Kind of Perfect

Coachella 2025 had no chill when it came to guest appearances—and New England noticed.

• Charli XCX brought out Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, and Lorde for an iconic remix that practically melted our flannel-lined souls.
• Bernie Sanders (Vermont legend) introduced Clairo, giving a heartfelt speech on climate change, economic justice, and youth activism. We’re biased, but it felt like the most New England thing to happen at a West Coast festival.
• Benson Boone sang Bohemian Rhapsody with Brian May of Queen, and it was as weirdly emotional as it sounds.
• And the Los Angeles Philharmonic performed everything from Vivaldi to the Star Wars score—with guest spots from Zedd, LL Cool J, and Maren Morris. Truly, Coachella went full symphony-core.

Post Malone and Travis Scott Delivered Maximum Emotion

Post Malone didn’t just sing—he ached. And even through a screen, we felt it.
Whether you were watching from a cabin in Maine or a dorm room in Boston, there was something so close about his voice—especially during “I Fall Apart.”

Travis Scott, back after his 2020 drop from the lineup, showed up big. His tribute to his daughter Stormi mid-set felt surprisingly intimate for a guy who just turned the desert into a bass pit.

Streaming from Afar? Kind of the Best of Both Worlds

New Englanders know how to appreciate a good livestream.
We like music. We like warmth. We like having our emotional breakdowns within reach of snacks and soft blankets.

Thanks to YouTube’s multi-stage livestream and Coachella’s upgraded festival app, we got front-row access without sunburn, overpriced bottled water, or port-a-potties.

Watching Gaga from your screened-in porch with a hot mug of something? Elite.

Final Thought—Coachella Might’ve Been There, But We Felt It Here

Whether you were watching from a snowy townhouse in Vermont, a Cambridge coffee shop full of quietly spiraling grad students, or a lakeside cabin with spotty Wi-Fi and a heart full of old feelings—just know: you weren’t the only one.

Coachella 2025 wasn’t just a music festival. It was a mirror. It reminded us that feeling too much is still okay. That art still matters. That some things are worth watching all the way through, even when you’re 3,000 miles away.

New England was watching. And we haven’t stopped thinking about it since.