Coachella 2024: The Heat, The Hits, And The Headaches

The Coachella music festival is known for its star-studded lineups and massive crowds. This year was no different, with some incredible performances and a few notable missteps. The festival faced some serious challenges, including record-breaking heat and strict set times that caused some issues. But let's start with the good stuff. The headliners this year really brought their A-game. Lady Gaga kicked off her global tour with a spectacular show featuring towering structures and a full band. Megan Thee Stallion had a star-studded performance with cameos from Queen Latifah, Ciara, and Victoria Monét. Green Day, Missy Elliott, and Charli xcx also delivered stellar performances. Charli xcx even hinted at the end of "Brat Summer" with some cryptic messages on the screens. Other surprises included LL Cool J, Cynthia Erivo, and a hoarse Dave Grohl joining the L. A. Philharmonic. Ed Sheeran also made an appearance, drawing a massive crowd with just a loop pedal and guitar. He even joined Post Malone onstage later. But it wasn't just the big names that stole the show. Some up-and-coming artists also made a splash. Benson Boone, known for his hit "Beautiful Things, " tackled Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and got a cosign from Brian May. The Marías delivered a theatrical performance of their acclaimed album "Submarine, " and Clairo opened her set with a speech from Senator Bernie Sanders. She also showed significant growth as a performer with a sultry, mid-tempo set. The livestream of the festival was also a major highlight. Producing a livestream for an event this big is no easy feat. It requires meticulous planning and quick reflexes to catch surprises in the moment. The team behind the livestream did an incredible job, enduring the same harsh conditions as the artists and the audience. However, the festival wasn't without its issues. The heat was a major problem, with temperatures soaring to 106°F (41°C) on the first day. This made the long process of getting in and out of the festival grounds even more challenging. Some car campers reported waiting in their vehicles without access to water or restrooms for up to 12 hours. Strict set times also caused some headaches. Delays can have a massive domino effect, affecting not only the performers and the attendees but also the people producing the livestream. Even top-billed artists like Megan Thee Stallion had their mic cut off when they ran a few minutes overtime. Rema's technical difficulties during weekend one also brought him little mercy, although he redeemed himself with a strong set on weekend two. Political controversy also reared its head. While some artists made quick, humanitarian references to current events, others went too far. Irish rap trio Kneecap displayed the words "Fuck Israel / Free Palestine" on the screen during their performance. This not only alienated a sizable percentage of the audience but also lost any nuance in the statement on this enormously polarizing subject. Making such statements at a music festival is generally a bad idea. In the end, Coachella 2024 was a mix of incredible performances and significant challenges. The festival continues to be a major platform for recording artists, but it's clear that there are some issues that need to be addressed. The heat, the strict set times, and the political controversy all added to the complexity of the event. But despite these challenges, the music and the artists shone through.