14 of the Biggest Surprise Performances at Coachella Weekend 1
Every year, there's a special Coachella lineup that doesn't get announced when the name-packed poster is revealed every March. You see, it's become something of a tradition that artists bring out surprise guests during their sets, and seeing who they ask to join them on one of the festival's multiple stages is always a major guessing game. Some of the appearances riff off the hit songs that artists have collaborated on in the past — it only makes sense! — but other drop-ins are totally unexpected, and set the entire fairgrounds (and basically all of social media) off with whispers of the sighting. Who was the best and biggest of this year's last-minute additions to the lineup? Click through to see 14 of the best appearances during Coachella's first weekend.
2016 Getty Images1/15Kanye West at A$AP Rocky
A$AP, who performed on day 1, wasted no time in bringing out one of the biggest artists in the world for a quick set. The only problem? Kanye experienced mic issues — but still killed his verse. Man, that was so Kanye.
2016 Getty Images2/15Kanye West at Jack Ü
If one Kanye sighting wasn't enough, the artist also dropped by Jack Ü's set on the same stage later that night. (Given that the DJ duo collabed with Justin Beiber on Kanye's favorite song of 2015, we should have seen this coming.)
2016 Getty Images3/15Jaden Smith at Lido
Some artists are content to sing one of their most popular songs. Jaden is no ordinary artist. He premiered a brand-new song at Lido's set, atop a piano like the chillest lounge singer of all time. His rap was explosive and immediately set social media on the hunt for a full-length video of the performance. (His good friend Moises Arias also designed Lido's set.)
4/15Jhené Aiko at Vince Staples
Vince's performance in the Sahara tent was one of the most dynamic shows of the whole weekend. He slowed things down when he brought Jhené on stage for a smooth duet.
2016 Kevin Mazur5/15Lorde at Disclosure
Have you stopped listening to "Magnets" yet? Us, either. And why would you want to? Lorde — who was staying with Taylor Swift and the rest of the #squad — joined the DJ duo on stage for a live rendition of their hit collaboration.
2016 Kevin Mazur6/15Sam Smith at Disclosure
Disclosure didn't stop at just one act, however, as Sam Smith also performed "Omen" during their set on the main stage.
2016 Getty Images7/15Brendon Urie at Halsey
Before Halsey brought Panic! at the Disco's frontman out on stage with her, she told the audience that this was the band that made her want to be a musician. They rocked out to a duet of "I Write Sins Not Tragedies," and the crowd sang along to every last word.
2016 Getty Images8/15Kesha at Zedd
Though Zedd also filled his lineup with performances from Sydney Siriota and Aloe Blacc, it was Kesha's rumored appearance that drew one of the biggest crowds of the festival. She sang "True Colors" with a kind of resilience that was truly admirable, and proved once again why her artistry is unparalleled.
2016 Getty Images9/15Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna at Neon Carnival
Okay, this wasn't a performance, but can you get over this?! We can't either.
FilmMagic10/15Travi$ Scott at Revolve Desert House
When Jordyn Woods is DJing a pool party and Kendall and Kylie Jenner are in attendance, you know it's going to be good. When Travi$ Scott takes the stage and plays some new songs he's been working on? Well, that could only happen at Coachella.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram11/15Daya at Chainsmokers
Daya's already had quite the year, and her surprise performance of "Don't Let Me Down" during the duo's set is just another reason why the 17-year-old needs to be on your radar ASAP.
2016 Getty Images12/15Maddie Ziegler, Paul Dano, and Kristin Wiig at Sia
While Maddie, Paul, and Kristin didn't sing, they did give an impassioned, stunning performance during Sia's hourlong set. She stood upstage while they did their thing — between Maddie's dance moves and Kristin and Paul's acting, it was a show few festival goers will forget.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram13/15Big Sean at Calvin Harris
One of the big questions of the weekend was who Calvin Harris would bring out for his closing headlining set. Big Sean performed two songs, including "IDFWU", and the crowd sang along to every single word.
2016 Getty Images14/15Rihanna at Calvin Harris
When the crowd realized that the person singing "We Found Love" at Calvin Harris was actually Rihanna and not just a recorded track, they went silent — and then absolutely wild. She owned the stage, and helped bring a legendary close to an already epic weekend.
