Popstar girls are coming back in full swing. Coachella 2024 shows the return of tried-and-true pop star antics and more than loyal fanbases to accompany them.
The Coachella effect
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual music celebration held in Indio, California. Hundreds of thousands attend each April for the two-weekend festival and all of its celebrity performances.
While the festival constantly switches up its genre choices depending on popularity and audience, this year seems to be the return of the pop star. With star-studded acts such as Lana Del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Raye, Chappell Roan, and many more, this year’s festival was one for the books.
One of the reasons so many swarm to Coachella year after year is the influx of celebs. It’s rare to see all of these big names in one place for so long. Legendary collaborations hit the stage this year with Gwen Stefani bringing out Olivia Rodrigo and Lana Del Rey singing with Billie Eilish.
According to MSN, “Rodrigo only was on stage for that one song, and the rest of the night was a No Doubt hit parade.” But after already shocking fans with Stefani’s reunion with No Doubt, crowds all but died at the sight of the surprise appearance of Rodrigo.
Performance quality over popularity
What truly set this year apart from recent years was the quality of each performance. It’s hard to forget the backlash Coachella got last year for Frank Ocean’s headlining set.
Fans had been missing the supposedly m.i.a hit-maker, but his resurgence wasn’t taken kindly as his set started late, ended early, and didn’t include much in terms of preparation and stage presence. However, it is important to keep in mind that Ocean was going through a lot of personal matters at the time and had issues with the production team on the day of his performance.
This year, however, fought against that narrative with force. Chappell Roan took TikTok by storm with the release of her latest hit “Good Luck, Babe!” On the Coachella stage, she impressed fans with amazing live vocals, her campy drag aesthetic, and choreography. While she may not be as big of a name (yet) as other stars on the setlist, the quality of her performance has shot her up in the ranks.
Return of the popstar
Coachella 2024 has made it official: pop stars are back! Of course, the pop genre hasn’t gone anywhere in recent years. But, the out-of-the-box, in-your-face, campy popstar aesthetic has returned in full swing.
In the article, “What Has Happened to Coachella?” it is explained that the festival has lost its allure with Gen Z because it relied too heavily on its past popularity. While the number of A-list celebrities that attend may be dwindling, there is still lots of love from regular fans and influencers who anticipate the musical scene year-round.
Again, this was the year of quality over popularity. The performances getting the most rave online are not necessarily the top-charting celebs you would expect. TikTok has shown an abundance of love for Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doja Cat. Only one of which was a headlining act.
While there is a time and place for intimate, stool and guitar sets, fans of the music festival are gravitating more toward the loud and intricate performances. Full costume changes, pyrotechnics, and elevated staging are just some of the many ways popstar culture is returning to the stage.
Fandom culture
You can’t have a pop star without a dedicated fan base. One of the best parts of attending Coachella 2024 was just how much the fans interacted with the performers. They knew all the words, studied the choreography, and came in intricate outfits fitting the celebrity’s aesthetic and decor.
There is one fanbase who has a notable bit with their favorite celeb, and that is the fans of Sabrina Carpenter. During each show, she sings a new outro for her song “Nonsense.” She brought the trendy bit to the Coachella stage making what fans are speculating is a nod to her relationship with Barry Keoghan.
Fans are what keep this festival alive. Each year, people go to Coachella to see their favorite artists live and personal while also being exposed to new performers and scenes. This year the clear “winner” of the weekends is the popstar, but who knows what genre is next to come up?
