As ironic as it sounds, it’s no surprise that the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival brought with it a lot of surprise guests.
It’s become a norm for performers to bring out other musicians at the festival, typically to perform a feature on the performer’s song or a collab. After a two-year hiatus, Coachella returned in 2022 with a bunch of surprise performances including Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, and Shania Twain.
In 2019 Ariana Grande reunited *NSYNC, minus Justin Timberlake, to perform “Tearin’ Up My Heart.” The collaboration had fans talking not only because of Grande joining in on the classic choreography, but because she had sampled their song “It Makes Me Ill” for her single “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” off of her 2019 album “thank u, next.”
The question, then, is not if guests will make appearances, but who they’ll be. And with the reveals this weekend, came fan reactions on social media.
Here’s a rundown of the surprise guests who had people talking:
1. Blink 182
When the set times were announced this year, fans were quick to notice that pop punk band Blink-182 had been added to the lineup, performing on the Sahara stage on Day 1 of the festival. It was the band’s first performance since reuniting with original vocalist-guitarist Tom DeLonge in nearly a decade.
Blink-182 showing up at Coachella to defend pop punk like pic.twitter.com/glFh3De3Vp
— State of the Scene (@SOTSPodcast) April 15, 2023
What a blink-182 show at Coachella 🤟🏼 pic.twitter.com/opZFCCVUvY
— SCENE DUDE (@thescenedude) April 15, 2023
Where are you?
And I'm so sorry#blink182 #coachella pic.twitter.com/IoxfAcX1ZZ— blink-182 Paraguay (@blink182py) April 15, 2023
2. Labrinth brings out Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish was a surprise guest during Labrinth’s Day 2 set at Coachella. They performed their recent collab “Never Felt So Alone.
BILLIE EILISH AND LABRINTH pic.twitter.com/mzOR33llfF
— anna loves brin🕷️ (@safetyeilish) April 16, 2023
never been so proud and in awww of someone as this billie eilish Coachella moment!! pic.twitter.com/nULlTwEhFd
See AlsoCoachella 2023: Everything You Need to Know About This Year’s FestivalGuide to Coachella: festival lineup, schedules and how to get thereHere's How Much Money Coachella Headliners Are PaidFrank Ocean Dropping Out of Coachella Cost the Festival Millions— 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙞𝙖 ♡˳·˖✶ || FEATHER OWNER💌 || 🫶🏼 (@sabrinaxdouglas) April 17, 2023
3. Nile Rodgers performs with Blondie
The rock band brought out Nile Rodgers for “Rapture” and “Backfired.”
That's right!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Delirious7676 (@delirious7676) April 16, 2023
If I’m even 10% as cool as Debby Harry when I’m 77 years old, I will have lived a dream life. #Blondie #Coachella pic.twitter.com/3gKSQTrG5f
— Mike Ray (@mikeray) April 15, 2023
4. Ellie Goulding came out during the Calvin Harris set
In the last set of Saturday night, the Scottish DJ brought out Goulding to perform “Miracle.”
@lifebymichael ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN #coachella #coachella2023 #calvinharris #elliegoulding #coachellafestival
Ellie Goulding popped out for Calvin Harris at #Coachella and I…. 😭😭🫶🏼
— ☾ ✺ (@undefinedxoxo) April 16, 2023
5. Metro Boomin and his many guests
Metro Boomin’ was joined on the Sahara Stage by John Legend, The Weeknd, Don Toliver, Future, 21 Savage, and Sean “Diddy” Combs on Saturday, April 15.
Metroboomin really brought out multiple artists like the avengers at Coachella
— Yenny ᪥ (@BadTrills) April 16, 2023
Just realized i forgot about metro boomin's set and missed all those special guests pic.twitter.com/ET3VIG2vqf
— aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (@outmycoma) April 15, 2023
Metro boomin, john legend, future, don toliver, 21 savage, the weeknd, P diddy and mike dean sharing the same stage during the same set is legendary.
Metro has solidified his spot with the best coachella set of all time. He one of the greats now
— Trapz 𖤐 (@Tr4pzzz) April 15, 2023
6.Troye Sivan joins Charli XCX
Troye Sivan made an appearance at Charli XCX’s Coachella set to sing “1999.”
Yasss!!!! pic.twitter.com/cUo0TTneFv
— June .°˖✧ (@Junehere1) April 16, 2023
7. Kali Uchis brings several guests
In her Day 3 performance, Kali Uchis was joined by Tyler, the Creator, Omar Apollo and Don Toliver.
kali uchis brought out omar apollo, tyler, the creator and don toliver during her coachella performance 🥲 pic.twitter.com/5ecgfiPWfb
— SK⚡️ (@raptalksk) April 17, 2023
KALI UCHIS JUST BROUGHT OUT TYLER THE CREATOR AT COACHELLA
— strawberry 🍒🍓 (@strawbe10764842) April 17, 2023
8. Post Malone accompanies Bad Bunny
Headliner Bad Bunny brought out Post Malone. Some technical difficulties ensued, and Twitter had fun with it.
Bad Bunny and Post Malone experience audio difficulties at #Coachella. pic.twitter.com/UhxSe59MaS
— Variety (@Variety) April 15, 2023
DONT WORRY POST MALONE AND BAD BUNNY IM GONNA FIX IT pic.twitter.com/Ur1giuoYIh
— diana | i survived pinkchella (@ZlNGULARlTY) April 15, 2023
Overall though, fans were happy to see both stars:
@juliaaaramirez I’m sad the audio got f*cked up but such a cute duo #postmalonecoachella #coachella #badbunny #coachella2023 #coachellabadbunny2023 #coachellabadbunny #badbunnycoachella2023 #badbunnycoachella
9. Muna brings out boygenius
Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker of boygenius joined Muna at the Mojave tent to perform “Silk Chiffon.”
Life’s so fun with @whereismuna & @phoebe_bridgers pic.twitter.com/5viTTOCNUg
— Coachella (@coachella) April 15, 2023
ok @whereisMUNA bringing out @xboygeniusx during their coachella set was such a slay i cant believe i witnessed this pic.twitter.com/KIVDpMV4Tx
— courteney larocca (@cnlarocca) April 15, 2023
10. Bebe Rexha
Two Friends brought out Bebe Rexha during their set to perform two songs, their hit “I’m Good (Blue)” and an upcoming collaboration with Loud Luxury, “If Only I.” While the official release date yet is still to be announced, it’s safe to say fans are excited about the song.
THAT NEW TWO FRIENDS X BEBE REXHA SLAPS
— pokpok 💖 (@RatedR_forRusty) April 15, 2023
@beberexha thank you @twofriendsmusic for having me!!!! i’m good forever 💙💙💙 #imgood #coachella
11. Jaden Smith joins sister Willow
The two siblings performed their collab “Summertime in Paris.” Their dad Will Smith took to Instagram to share his excitement, labeling the post “WILLOWCHELLA!!”
Not Willow bringing out her brother to perform with her at Coachella and making me miss my brothers even though I JUST saw them 🥹
— Chaka Cumberbatch 💕🛼 (@princessology) April 17, 2023
Weekend Two of Coachella begins on Friday, April 21 with fans already eager to find out which artists will be making unexpected appearances during the festival. During the second weekend last year, surprise guests included Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar and Hayley Williams from Paramore so chances are there are still some fun Coachella surprises in store.
