Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians singers perform near Coachella
Members of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians bird singers performed on Friday, April 11, 2025 in the campgrounds area of Coachella fest.
There’s something about the golden hour performances on Saturday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival that many don’t realize: It’s the intermission of the three-day festival and there’s an opportunity for a special performance to leave a lasting impression on festivalgoers.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic understood that and had the honor of serenading thousands of festivalgoers that packed into the Outdoor Theatre area as the sun went down on Day 2. The sound of guitars, drums, repetitive electronic beats and rap songs was replaced by the strings, horns and percussion of Richard Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” as many people continued to fill in.
It felt like this would set the tone for the next 45 minutes, but LA Phil — conducted by Gustavo Dudamel — had a different program in mind and delivered a performance that will be discussed for years to come filled with special guests across genres such as jazz, country, rock, Latin, electronic and rap with mainstream classical hits between.
LA Phil brings out Laufey, Maren Morris, Becky G, Zedd and more
The first guest, which was previously announced by the orchestra, was the Icelandic jazz singer Laufey. She performed “From the Start,” and before the live debut of her new single “Silver Lining,” she said performing with the orchestra was a “dream come true” and congratulated Dudamel on reaching Coachella.
Maren Morris, who performed a free concert at The Saguaro Palm Springs the day before Coachella, followed with an electrifying performance of “My Church” with the orchestra and a gospel choir. Coachella veteran Becky G, who was also a surprise guest for Tyla the day prior, was next and appeared in a gorgeous white dress with a long train that flowed in the wind as she sang “Shower.”
The Argentinian rap duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso was an interesting choice to appear with the orchestra and stood out like a sore thumb at some points, but the orchestra seized on the opportunity to show off its Latin percussion and style during “Dumbai.”
Zedd, who’s scheduled to perform at Coachella tomorrow, received a loud ovation when he sat at a piano positioned next to Dudamel’s platform for “Clarity” with the gospel choir, but the fans also filled in the vocals throughout the entire song and it was a highlight of the set.
LL Cool J closed out the historic LA Phil Coachella set
How should a performance by Southern California’s favorite orchestra at one of the world’s most prestigious music festivals end? It wasn’t going to be on Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra,” even though it seemed like it.
The biggest surprise was saved for last when LL Cool J’s name flashed on the screen and the beginning of his 1990 hit “Mama Said Knock You Out” started playing, and with an orchestra, it sounded just as intense as the original and gave the crowd an adrenaline boost. But there was more.
LL Cool J told the crowd he was going to perform an offering of classics, starting with “I Need Love,” followed by “Murdergram” and closing out on “Rock The Bells.”
The final moments of Dudamel and LL Cool J vibing together showing on the screen were not only enjoyable, but heartwarming in many ways for the conductor, who is leaving the orchestra next year to become the Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic.
LA Phil at Coachella was enjoyable for many reasons. This was never going to be an orchestra performing an offering of “classical for people who hate classical” at the festival, even though they played selections such as Max Richter’s “Spring 1,” J.S. Bach’s “Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor,” “The Imperial March” from the “Star Wars” films, and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5, Movement 1,” this was about inviting the beloved orchestra to create something special for Coachella.
Watching festivalgoers sing along with the special guests, hold their partners and sway along during the classical pieces, sit down and observe the performance without looking at their smartphones and have a moment as the sun went down and the temperature cooled down was a beautiful sight.
LA Phil reminded us on Saturday that not only was the festival half over, but to pause and enjoy the moment and for Dudamel to give us this beautiful parting gift before moving on.
Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at [email protected].
