Understanding Lana Del Rey’s Coachella Performance: A Review, 2024

Lana Del Rey wowed fans during her headlining set at Coachella night one. The performance featured a surprise appearance by Billie Eilish and even a hologram of Lana herself. Fans were treated to an unforgettable show filled with surprises.

Lana Del Rey made a grand entrance to her Coachella headlining set on Friday, April 12, starting earlier than expected. Around 11:16 p.m., the festival’s main stage screens displayed an aerial view of Del Rey and her crew approaching rapidly. Unlike the typical golf carts used to transport performers, they arrived on motorcycles. Accompanied by a snippet of her unreleased song “Jealous Girl” looping the lyric “Baby, I’m a gangster too,” Del Rey’s motorcade made a lap through the crowd as she smiled and waved to the thousands of eager fans gathered for the momentous occasion.

• Casually addressing the Coachella crowd, Lana Del Rey took center stage with a small smile and greeted, “What’s up, Coachella.” Expressing her happiness to be there, she seamlessly transitioned into performing “Without You” fused with Sublime’s “Doin’ Time” and her own “Summertime Sadness.” Even with brief smiles, Lana’s commitment to her persona as the “sad girl pop president” remained evident, showcasing her dedication to her artistry whether headlining Coachella or not

• Lana Del Rey’s demeanor perfectly complemented the elaborate set design, resembling a dilapidated Gatsby Mansion post-party. This imaginative scene provided the ideal backdrop for Del Rey to host her own late-night soirée, featuring a swing band and backup dancers inspired by the roaring 20s.

• Early in her set, Lana Del Rey acknowledged that exactly 10 years prior, she had performed at Coachella, debuting her single “West Coast.” Reflecting on this milestone, she softly sang, “We’re still doing it.” What’s truly remarkable isn’t just her longevity in the industry, but her unwavering authenticity over the years. The persona of Lana Del Rey remains remarkably intact, evolving across her nine studio albums. She continues to push boundaries, taking bold experimental leaps and crafting longer, more intriguing track titles along the way.

• Tonight, Lana Del Rey’s headlining set felt like a quiet celebration of her journey. She gracefully moved across the stage, performing a mix of career-spanning hits that, in the festival atmosphere of Coachella, felt like hidden treasures being unearthed. Even the anticipated “headliner stunts” were executed with finesse: she sang “Ride” while slowly spinning on a leaf-covered swing, delivered a stunning a cappella rendition of “The Grants” with her backup singers, and notably performed “Hope Is a Dangerous Thing for a Woman Like Me to Have – but I Have It” via hologram accompanied by her collaborator and friend Jack Antonoff on piano. Earlier in the evening, she was joined by Jon Batiste on piano for an extended version of “Candy Necklace.

• The hologram, while slightly eerie given the lyric “Hello, it’s the most famous woman you know on the iPad/Calling from beyond the grave,” served as a fitting finale to the set’s atmosphere. With her choice to close with “Young and Beautiful,” notably featured in The Great Gatsby, Lana Del Rey made a statement, emphasizing the thematic continuity of her performance and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

• Lana Del Rey’s lyrics in “Young and Beautiful” reflect on her experiences and achievements: “I’ve seen the world, done it all, had my cake now. I’ve seen the world, lit it up as my stage now.” However, the song’s central question remains poignant: “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young and beautiful?” This introspective theme adds depth to her performance and resonates with the audience.

• Earlier in the evening, Billie Eilish confirmed the speculation by making a surprise appearance during Lana Del Rey’s set. Despite online rumors, the moment remained unexpected and thrilling for fans. Eilish, a longtime fan of Del Rey, joined her on stage towards the end of the performance. Together, they performed duets of “Ocean Eyes” and “Video Games.” After their collaboration, they shared a moment of genuine astonishment at each other’s presence. “Get the f–k out of my face,” Eilish laughed, expressing her disbelief at being alongside her idol.

• Lana Del Rey responded, acknowledging Billie Eilish as the voice of their generation and expressing gratitude for her presence. In turn, Eilish recognized the significance of their collaboration, stating, “This is the reason for half you b—-es existence, including mine.” This exchange encapsulated the essence of the evening.

• Despite occasional technical issues and moments of darkness between songs, including Del Rey audibly addressing microphone volume problems, the set was not flawless. Additionally, Del Rey’s soft-spoken demeanor both on and off stage might not have seemed the most conventional choice for a Coachella headliner. Nevertheless, her undeniable impact on the audience and the music industry as a whole remained unquestionable

But you don’t have to take my word for it; listen to “the voice of our generation” herself. Billie Eilish’s acknowledgment of Lana Del Rey’s influence speaks volumes. Del Rey’s unique essence has paved the way for artists like Eilish to thrive.

• As Lana Del Rey concluded “Young and Beautiful,” the energy soared. Dancers reappeared with champagne bottles in hand as fireworks illuminated the night sky—a fitting tribute to the Gatsby-esque extravagance. Riding off on her motorcycle, Del Rey left the stage, yet the celebration continued, symbolizing her lasting impact.

Lana Del Rey’s influence is undeniable and unforgettable. It’s what sets her apart as an icon and is truly worth celebrating.