Left: Lizzo (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for American Express), Right: Kendrick Lamar (Santiago Bluguermann/Getty Images)
Although this year Coachella finally got rid of the ultimate surprises — ie, whether now-retired headliner Kanye West would open his Sunday performance by smashing a watermelon with “PETE DAVIDSON” on it with Gallagher-style Sharpie — the music festival has it this year managed to deliver a few big shocks so far. Shania Twain and Justin Bieber both attended the festival’s first weekend (accompanied by Harry Styles and Daniel Caesar respectively) and delighted fans of I Heart Huckabees and Zoolander 2 alike. And this weekend’s re-engagement is proving to have as many big surprises, with big stars Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo showing up (mostly) unannounced to give fans some pleasant shocks.
Lamar—preparing to release his new album Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers after a multi-year hiatus from the album game—showed up during the sentence his cousin and frequent collaborator Baby Keem, accompanied by walls of digital fire and an explosive crowd reaction. The duo eventually took on Baby Keem’s “Vent” and her Grammy-winning team, “Family Ties.”
Lizzo, meanwhile, showed up to help her old pal Styles and treated the audience to a rendition of both One Direction titles “What makes you beautiful” and the classic by Gloria Gaynor “I will survive.” Would it surprise you to know that watching Lizzo and Harry Styles conquer a disco touchstone together is insanely fun? It’s great fun.
Of course, we’re only a third of Coachella’s second weekend so far, so God only knows what other secret gigs are brewing. Billie Eilish is headlining today’s shows – so beware rabid Finneas fans! – while Swedish House Mafia & The Weeknd will wrap up the entire festival for the year tomorrow night.