Coachella kicks off with Sabrina Carpenter and surprise guests

Coachella Kicks Off with Sabrina Carpenter and Surprise Guests

Coachella’s opening day featured a dramatic twist as actor Susan Sarandon joined pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter during her headlining set on Friday. Sarandon took the stage in a fictionalized role, portraying an older version of the 26-year-old singer, midway through her performance. The Hollywood-themed concert also included appearances from comedian Will Ferrell and actor Sam Elliott, who added a unique flavor to the event.

The festival, held in the California desert, welcomed over 100,000 attendees each day across its two-week span. However, weather disruptions impacted the schedule, as strong winds forced the cancellation of DJ Anyma’s set after Carpenter’s performance. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival announced the decision in an Instagram statement: “Due to strong wind conditions affecting Anyma’s stage build, he is unable to perform tonight. Coachella and Anyma have made this decision together with your safety as the priority.”

Environmental concerns also arose, with the National Weather Service issuing an air quality advisory for the Coachella Valley from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning. The advisory warned that windblown dust could pose health risks for vulnerable groups. “Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections,” the service explained. Despite the warning, local air quality levels were reported as good to moderate by midday on Thursday.

Sabrina Carpenter transformed the stage into a cinematic scene, dubbing it “Sabrinawood” for the opening night. Her set began with a short film where she was pulled over by actor Sam Elliott during a nighttime drive. After being let go, she emerged on stage. Later, comedian Will Ferrell joined as a mock electrician, adding humor to the performance. Additional acts on Friday included KATSEYE and Disclosure, while Saturday’s lineup will be led by Justin Bieber, with Karol G set to perform on Sunday.

Several UK artists are also part of the festival’s schedule, such as Wet Leg, Lambrini Girls, Little Simz, and FKA Twigs. The festival’s lineup will repeat over the weekend. Coachella has been a staple in Indio since 2002, drawing global attention as one of the most anticipated events in the music calendar.

“Particle pollution can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems such as asthma attacks, heart and lung disease symptoms, and increased risk of lung infections,” the National Weather Service warned.