Lady Gaga's highly anticipated Coachella 2025 headlining performance was nothing short of spectacular. Rolling Stone delves into Gaga's setlist choices, creative vision, and what made this Coachella return so special.
Lady Gaga's return to Coachella after eight years was a defining moment in the festival's history. Headlining both weekends of the 2025 event, Gaga delivered a show that blended her signature theatrical flair with electrifying musical prowess. In an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, Gaga opened up about the meticulous planning and creative vision behind her unforgettable performance.
Gaga revealed her excitement for the festival, expressing a desire to create a unique and unforgettable experience. The pop icon discussed the meticulous choreography crafted in collaboration with Parris Goebel, emphasizing the improvised nature of some elements, “We're crafting it moment by moment,” she said, highlighting the collaborative spirit and spontaneous energy she aimed to create on stage.
Specifically, Gaga highlighted "Killah," her collaboration with Gesaffelstein from her latest album, *Mayhem*, as a song she was particularly eager to perform. “That was really Gesaffelstein’s baby,” she explained, praising his work and the collaborative process. She described the song's bridge as a highlight, predicting “total mayhem” and excitement during the live performance. This carefully chosen selection showcases Gaga’s commitment to presenting both her hits and more experimental deep cuts to a massive audience.
The interview touched upon Gaga’s previous Coachella appearance in 2017, a performance that, due to Beyoncé's pregnancy, was significantly shorter than planned. This time, Gaga seized the opportunity to craft a complete and realized vision, creating a spectacle that truly encapsulated her artistic identity. Her pre-Coachella social media posts reinforced this sentiment, stating that her vision for Coachella hadn’t fully manifested in 2017.
The conversation extended beyond the Coachella setlist to explore Gaga’s creative process and artistic evolution. While acknowledging the need to fulfill audience expectations by playing her major hits, Gaga also expressed a dedication to showcasing her artistry through deeper cuts. She emphasized her desire to share her carefully crafted art with the world, acknowledging the extensive time and thoughtful consideration invested in her performances. This reflects a maturity and deliberate intention in Gaga's approach to her career and her fans.
Gaga's thoughts on the album title *Mayhem* were also explored. She revealed that she initially considered the title *Perfect Celebrity*, a song on the album, but felt it wasn't representative of the broader themes of personal resilience, chaos, and navigating life's unpredictable events. This discussion highlighted the significant thoughtfulness behind her album concept and how the title itself needed to accurately reflect the overall message.
Finally, the interview concluded with Gaga’s reflection on the significance of her Coachella return, almost eleven years after her previous performance in Australia, highlighting her growth and artistic journey over the years. The anticipation of seeing how she'd incorporate songs from her *A Star is Born* role as Ally Maine into the set is also highly anticipated. The mystery regarding her setlist keeps fans on the edge of their seats and fuels the buzz surrounding her comeback.