As weekend one of Coachella comes to a close, a number of standout performances have already set the tone. From Sabrina Carpenter’s cinematic headline set to Justin Bieber’s stripped-back show and Karol G’s historic closing, the first weekend delivered clear highlights. With the same lineup returning for week 2, attention now turns to what carries forward. Here are the performances worth bookmarking

Friday: Katseye

One of the clearest breakout moments of Friday. Taking over the Sahara stage with one of its largest crowds, Katseye turned their Coachella debut into a statement, further lifted by a surprise appearance from Huntr/X for “Golden.” The moment stood out not just for its scale but for what it represented, celebrating the shared milestone of both groups’ debut at the festival.

Friday: The xx

Returning for the first time since 2017, The xx’s set carried the weight of an eight-year reunion while remaining quietly assured. Moving through tracks like “Crystalised” and “VCR,” alongside reworked moments from “On Hold,” the trio let the set unfold gradually, building from intimacy into something more expansive. By the time “Intro” closed things out, the stage was subtle but deeply felt.

Friday: Sabrina Carpenter

Her first Coachella headline set didn’t miss. Built around a cinematic “Sabrinawood” concept, the show turned the main stage into a full Hollywood-style production – complete with elaborate set pieces, multiple costume changes and tightly choreographed sequences. With hits like “Espresso” and “Juno,” alongside unexpected actor cameos, it struck a confident balance between spectacle and control, setting the tone for the weekend.

Saturday: Taemin

A significant moment for K-pop on a global stage. As the first Korean artist to perform solo at Coachella, Taemin’s debut felt precise and deliberate. Moving through tracks like “Move” and “Guilty,” the 50-minute set leaned into intense choreography while maintaining strong live vocals, highlighting the discipline and control that define his performance style.

Saturday: PinkPantheress

Playing a packed Mojave tent, PinkPantheress delivered one of the weekend’s most kinetic sets. Moving through fan favourites from “To Hell With It” and “Fancy That,” she gradually built the energy into a full club moment – bringing out guests including The Dare and Horsegirl for a high-energy finish that turned the stage into an immersive, crowd-driven experience.

Saturday: Justin Bieber

The most talked-about set of the weekend. Bieber approached it with near-minimalism, building the performance around a laptop and YouTube, revisiting early hits like “Baby” and “Never Say Never” while reacting to his younger self on screen. At moments, it unfolded like a livestream, with the audience guiding what came next. Without the usual production, the set leaned into memory and reflection – bringing a strong sense of nostalgia for his global fans, with an intimate and genuine tone throughout.

Sunday: Young Thug

Bringing out Camila Cabello for a surprise performance of “Havana,” Thug delivered the track live for the first time since 2018—one of the night’s most immediate crowd peaks. He kept that momentum going with guest appearances from Ty Dolla $ign on “Carnival” and Nav for “Trimski,” turning the set into a seamless run of high-impact moments.

Sunday: BigBang

A return shaped as much by emotion as performance. Reuniting as three with G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung, the group marked both their Coachella debut and their 20th anniversary. Opening with “Bang Bang Bang,” they moved through defining tracks like “Fantastic Baby,” “Haru Haru” and “Lies,” alongside solo stages. Closing with “Still Life,” with T.O.P’s recorded vocals still present, the set carried a quiet sense of history and absence.

Sunday: Karol G

A defining close to the weekend, both in scale and meaning. As the first Latina to headline Coachella, Karol G delivered a high-concept set that turned the main stage into a celebration of Latin culture, blending reggaeton, mariachi and pop with cinematic staging. Guest appearances from Becky G, Wisin and Mariah Angeliq added to the moment, but it was her message that grounded it: “This is not just about me… this is about my Latina community, this is about my people.”

Also see: K-Pop groups over the years at Coachella