Coachella kicks off with Sabrina Carpenter and surprise guests

April 11, 2026

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival began its 2025 run with Sabrina Carpenter's debut headline performance featuring a Hollywood-themed show that included surprise appearances by Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, and Sam Elliott. Adverse weather conditions in the California desert led organizers to cancel DJ Anyma's set due to safety concerns about strong winds affecting the stage construction. Health officials issued an air quality warning for the weekend because of windblown dust that poses respiratory risks to vulnerable populations.

Who is affected

Over 100,000 daily festival attendees
Sabrina Carpenter (headlining performer)
DJ Anyma (whose performance was cancelled)
Susan Sarandon, Will Ferrell, and Sam Elliott (guest performers)
KATSEYE and Disclosure (Friday performers)
Justin Bieber and Karol G (upcoming headliners)
UK artists including Wet Leg, Lambrini Girls, Little Simz, and FKA Twigs
Sensitive groups vulnerable to air pollution and respiratory issues
Coachella festival organizers

What action is being taken

The festival is currently running over two weekends
Weather agencies are issuing wind and dust warnings
An air quality advisory is in place from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning
Local air quality management district is measuring pollution particle levels
The National Weather Service is monitoring and reporting wind conditions

Why it matters

Coachella is a globally renowned music festival that draws massive crowds and features major international artists, making it a significant cultural event. The weather-related safety concerns demonstrate the challenges of hosting large outdoor events and the priority given to attendee safety. The air quality issues pose genuine health risks, particularly for people with respiratory conditions, as particle pollution can cause asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased infection risk.

What's next

Justin Bieber will headline on Saturday
Karol G will headline on Sunday
The same lineup will repeat the following weekend

Read full article from source: BBC