Not only did Lana Del Rey start her Coachella headlining set early, but her entry was epic.
At 11:16 pm on Friday, April 12, an aerial view of Del Rey and her entourage was shown on the festival’s main stage screen. As she got closer, it became clear that her entourage was riding not on the expected golf carts, but on motorcycles, which frequently shuttle around the Indio, California festival. and an excerpt from her never-officially-released song “Else Girl” was played – with the lyrics “Baby, I’m a Gangster Too” on loop – as Del Rey’s motorcade took a detour through the crowd and she smiled and Waved to the thousands of fans gathered for the moment.
“What’s up, Coachella,” she casually offered a small smile after taking center stage and performing “Without You” in a medley of Sublime’s “Doin’ Time” along with “Summertime Sadness.” Asked. “I’m so glad to be here,” she said with another faint, and even briefer, smile. But keep in mind, it is Lana Del Rey – Sad Girl Pop President and committed forever, whether she headlined Coachella or not.
Thus, his demeanor matched the elaborate set design that resembled a dilapidated version of the Gatsby Mansion long after he had held his last party. Of course, this is the perfect fantasy scene for Del Rey to host a late-night show of her own with a swing band and ’20s-inspired backup dancers.
At the beginning of the set, Del Rey noted that she last played Coachella “exactly 10 years ago today” (during which she debuted the single “West Coast”), before speaking softly, “We’re still doing it.” Still, it’s not the fact that he’s still here a decade on that’s impressive, but more the fact that after all these years he’s still completely and unapologetically himself – or At least, Lana Del Rey’s personality is still so intact. In fact, across her nine studio albums, Del Rey appears to be consistent. More themselves, taking bigger experimental swings and introducing longer, more eyebrow-raising track titles along the way.
And tonight, her headlining set seemed to be such a quiet celebration, during which Del Rey performed career-spanning hits on stage that, in a festival setting like Coachella, felt almost like underground gems that should have been discovered. She was searching carefully. Even the expected “headliner stunts” were presented with a delicate touch: she performed a “ride” by rotating slowly from within a circular, leaf-covered swing; gave a spectacular a cappella rendition of “The Grants” with his trio of backup singers; and, most notably, sang “Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It” via hologram, accompanied by collaborator and close friend Jack Antonoff on piano, who co-produced the track. Did. (Earlier in the night, she was joined by Jon Batiste on piano for an extended version of “Candy Necklace”.)
The hologram – although a little distorted, especially considering the lyrics, “Hello, this is the most famous woman you know on an iPad/Calling from beyond the grave” – punctuates the spirit of the set perfectly. As evidenced by their closing song selection of “Young and Beautiful” (which was used prominently great Gatsby), it became increasingly clear that Del Rey had come to make a statement.
As she sings on “Young and Beautiful”: “I’ve seen the world, done it all, had my cake now. I’ve seen the world, lit it up as my stage now.” Throughout, the song’s primary question revolves: “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?”
Earlier in the night, Billie Eilish replied in the affirmative.
Following online rumors that the superstar would make a guest appearance during Del Rey’s set (an artist Eilish has been a longtime fan of), she ended it by singing a duet on “Ocean Eyes” and “Video Games” atop the arched trellis. Appeared. Del Rey. After the job was done, they sat for a few more moments, seeming genuinely stunned by each other’s presence. “Get the crap out of my face,” Eilish said, laughing as she spoke to her hero.
“Yeah, it’s the voice of your generation, the voice of our generation,” Del Rey replied. “I’m so grateful that she’s standing next to me right now.” To which Eilish replied: “That’s the reason half of you exist, including mine.”
That simple sentence captured the essence of the evening. Sure, the set was rough in parts – moments of darkness and silence between several songs and some problems with mic volume, all of which Del Rey heard loudly. And yes, Del Rey’s soft-spoken nature on and off the stage might not have landed her the most obvious headliner to kick-off Coachella. but this is him Effect Which cannot be denied.
But don’t take my word for it, take it from “the voice of our generation”. The artist that we probably wouldn’t have had it not been for an artist like Lana Del Rey to do what she does and always will do best: be. Lana Del Rey,
As she played the last note of “Young and Beautiful”, the band kicked off and her dancers reappeared with champagne bottles in hand and fireworks burst into the night sky – all the making of a signature Gatsby blowout. . And as Del Rey entered on a motorcycle, the party continued on stage long after she left. And this is the point.
Her undeniable influence is also unforgettable – and that’s exactly what makes Lana Del Rey an icon. And that’s worth celebrating.
