Coachella Staple: The Surprise Guest
Kanye West and A$AP Rocky
INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Hip-hop artist Kanye West and rapper A$AP Rocky perform onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Kiesza and Jack ü
INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Special guest singer Kiesza performs onstage during Jack ü’s set on day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Kanye West and Jack ü
NDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Hip-hop artist Kanye West performs with Jack U onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Rihanna and Calvin Harris
INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Guest singer Rihanna performs onstage with Calvin Harris during day 3 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Angus Young and Guns N’ Roses
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: (L-R) Musician Angus Young of AC/DC performs onstage with Axl Rose and Slash of Guns N’ Roses during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Ke$ha nd Zedd
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Singer Kesha performs onstage with record producer Zedd during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Rappers Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
DJ Yella and Ice Cube
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: DJ Yella (L) and rapper Ice Cube perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
MC Ren and Ice Cube
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Rappers Ice Cube (L) and MC Ren perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Common and Ice Cube
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Rapper Ice Cube (L) and guest singer Common perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Sam Smith and Disclosure
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Singer Sam Smith ? performs with Guy Lawrence (L) and Howard Lawrence ? of Disclosure during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Lorde and Disclosure
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Guest singer Lorde performs onstage during the Disclosure show on day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Skrillex and DJ Snails
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: DJ Snails (L) performs onstage with special guest record producer Skrillex during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images for Coachella)
Brendon Urie and Halsey
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Singer Brendon Urie (L) performs onstage during Halsey’s set on day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Janelle Monae and Grimes
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Recording artist Janelle Monae (L) performs onstage with singer Grimes during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Coachella)
Nas and Run the Jewels
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Hip-hop artist Nas ? performs with Killer Mike and El-P of Run The Jewels onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Bernie Sanders and Run the Jewels
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Bernie Sanders speaks on screen during a performance with Run The Jewels onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: YouTube)
Gary Clark Jr. and Run the Jewels
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Hip-Hop artist El-P (L) of Run the Jewels and musician Gary Clark Jr. perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
DJ Snake, M? and Major Lazer
INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: (L-R) Musicians Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, Jillionaire of Major Lazer, special guest M?, special guest DJ Snake and record producer Diplo of Major Lazer during day 3 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Sean Paul and Major Lazer
INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Musician Sean Paul performs onstage with Major Lazer during day 3 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella)
Seal and Gallant
INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Guest performer Seal (L) and recording artist Gallant perform onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Coachella)
Jaden Smith and Lido
INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Musician Lido performs onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Coachella)
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Zhu
INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Recording artists Layzie Bone (L) and Flesh-n-Bone ? of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony perform onstage with Zhu ? during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images for Coachella)
Kristen Wiig and Sia
INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Actress Kristen Wiig ? performs via video screen with Sia on day 3 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 17, 2016 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Mikey Wynn/Twitter)
Black Eyed Peas and David Guetta
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: (L-R) Recording artists will.i.am, Taboo of The Black Eyed Peas, DJ David Guetta and apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas perform onstage during day 3 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Madonna and Drake
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Recording artists Drake (L) and Madonna perform onstage during day 3 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Este Haim and Hozier
INDIO, CA - APRIL 11: Musicians Hozier (L) and Este Haim of Haim perform onstage during day 2 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Haim and Jenny Lewis
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Musicians Alana Haim, Jenny Lewis, Este Haim and Danielle Haim perform onstage during day 3 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Alex Newell, Marina Diamandis and Clean Bandit
INDIO, CA - APRIL 11: (L-R) Singer Alex Newell, musician Luke Patterson, singer Marina Lambrini Diamandis, musician Jack Patterson, singers Grace Chatto and Elisabeth Troy of Clean Bandit pose onstage during day 2 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 11, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Jennifer Hudson
INDIO, CA - APRIL 10: Singer Jennifer Hudson performs onstage during day 1 of the 2015 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (Weekend 1) at the Empire Polo Club on April 10, 2015 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Beyonce and Solange
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Singer Beyonce (L) performs with her sister Solange onstage during day 2 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Paul Westerberg and Billie Joe Armstrong
INDIO, CA - APRIL 18: Musician Billie Joe Armstrong ? performs with musician Paul Westerberg of The Replacements onstage during day 1 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 18, 2014 in Indio, California (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Chance the Rapper and Justin Bieber
INDIO, CA - APRIL 13: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was processed using Digital Filters) Singer Justin Bieber (L) performs with Chance The Rapper onstage during day 3 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Gwen Stefani and Pharrell
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Singers Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams perform onstage during day 2 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Debbie Harry with Arcade FIre
INDIO, CA - APRIL 13: Singer Debbie Harry ? performs with musician Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire onstage during day 3 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Slash with Motorhead
INDIO, CA - APRIL 13: (L-R) Musicians Phil Campbell of Motorhead, Slash, Lemmy Kilmister and Mikkey Dee of Motorhead perform onstage during day 3 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
R. Kelly and Phoenix
The most jaw-dropping special guest of Coachella could be R&B star R.Kelly joining alt-rock band Phoenix for their headlining set during Weekend 1 in 2013. R.Kelly and Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars sang Kelly’s hit “Ignition (Remix)” while the band played the tune of their own hit “1901” to create a truly memorable music-melding moment.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre
One of the most talked-about and certainly strangest surprise guests in Coachella history was when a creepily-realistic hologram of Tupac Shakur joined Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on stage at Coachella 2012. Tupac, who was killed in a drive-by shooting 16 years earlier, was digitally resurrected to seamlessly perform “Hail Mary” and “2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted” to an awestruck audience.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson filled in for Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval for Jesus and Mary Chain’s heart-melting 80s duet “Just Like Honey” at Coachella 2007. The song was featured in the closing scene of Johansson’s breakout film “Lost In Translation” – so that might’ve been the connection! Johansson was no stranger to singing when she appeared at Coachella, releasing two albums of her own in 2008 and 2009.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Mary J. Blige with Disclosure
INDIO, CA - APRIL 13: Singer Mary J. Blige performs with Disclosure onstage during day 3 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2014 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Rihanna and Calvin Harris
Rihanna surprised Calvin Harris’s audience to sing their dance anthem, “We Found Love” at Coachella 2012. She jumped into the audience and hugged superstar BFF Katy Perry, who crowd-surfed during the set.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Usher and David Guetta
The dance tent darn near exploded when Usher came out as a secret guest during David Guetta’s Weekend 1 Coachella set in 2012. Usher and the Swedish super-producer/DJ performed their hit “Without You”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Sia and David Guetta
She may be masked and in a fluffy coat, but everyone knew when Sia’s booming voice filled David Guetta’s packed tent. The eccentric Australian crooner came out to sing her smash hit collaboration “Titanium” during Guetta’s Weekend 2 performance at Coachella 2012.
(Source: Yahoo! Music)
Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Singer Pharrell Williams and rapper Snoop Dogg perform onstage during day 2 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2014 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
Puff Daddy and Nas
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs performs with Nas onstage during day 2 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2014 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
Jay Z
INDIO, CA - APRIL 12: Rapper Jay Z performs onstage during day 2 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 12, 2014 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
Childish Gambino and Jhene Aiko
INDIO, CA - APRIL 13: Rapper Childish Gambino performs onstage with Jhene Aiko during day 3 of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 13, 2014 in Indio, California.
(Photo: Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Coachella)
Beyonce and Jay-Z
It would be a travesty if it didn’t happen, but Jay-Z gave his Coachella 2010 crowd a treat with a surprise appearance from his superstar wife, Beyonce. The power couple performed “Young Forever” during Hova’s encore.
(Photo: Getty Images)
John Legend and DJ Benni Benassi
John Legend stepped out from behind the piano to join Italian DJ Benni Benassi at the turntables at Coachella 2013 for their song, “Dance the Pain Away”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt
Fellow Odd Future member Tyler, The Creator joined Earl Sweatshirt’s solo set at Coachella 2013 for their latest collab song, “Whoa” before Tyler scaled the scaffolding.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Solange Knowles and The xx
Beyonce’s baby sis Solange Knowles joined British indie band The xx at Coachella 2013 for a cover of Aaliah’s “Hot Like Fire”.
(Source: Yahoo! Music)
Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and Kanye West
Tucked away to the side of Kanye West’s mind-blowing stage show stood Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. Lost in an elaborate set full of dancers and ballerinas, with West flying above the audience in a woman’s shirt, the indie frontman and Grammy winner joined West for their song, “Lost In The World” at Coachella 2011.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Method Man & Redman
The dynamic duo of Method Man & Redman united during Wu-Tang’s set at Coachella 2013 for the pair’s own track “Da Rockwilder”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
50 Cent and Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre
50 Cent joined Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on stage at Coachella 2012 for “What Up Gangsta” and “P.I.M.P.”
(Photo: Getty Images)
Eminem and Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre
As part of the stream of A-List surprises that can only be conducted by the Doggfather and the Doctor, rapper Eminem joined Snoop and Dre at Coachella 2012 to lend his rhymes for “Forgot About Dre”, “I Need A Doctor” and “Til I Collapse”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre
Barely a blip on the Coachella flier, rapper Kendrick Lamar joined the big dogs for Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s headlining set at Coachella 2012. The then-lesser known Lamar performed his song “The Recipe” that featured Dre.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre
The deepest rolodex at Coachella 2012 no doubt belonged to Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Rapper Wiz Khalifa joined the two on stage for a blunt and his song, “Young, Wild & Free”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Nate Dogg homage with Warren G, Kurupt and Snoop Dogg
Rapper Nate Dogg, who passed away in 2011, was given a sweet homage during Snoop Dogg’s set at the 2012 Coachella Festival. Snoop, along with buddies Warren G and Kurupt, performed the song “Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None)”, the 1993 track the four of them collaborated on, alongside a slideshow of Nate’s photos.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tenacious D and Foo Fighters
Way back before set crashing was cool, Tenacious D surprised Foo Fighters’ Coachella audience in 2002 by opening the set with a few of their own hilarious songs.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Tyler, the Creator and Frank Ocean
Odd Future leader Tyler, The Creator shook things up at Grammy darling Frank Ocean’s set for a surprise performance of Tyler’s song, “Analog” at Coachella 2012.
(Photo: Getty Images)
Beck
While most secret guests join a booked band for a hot second, in 2004 Beck got his own entire solo set that was completely unannounced at Coachella. The eclectic music man later joined DJ Z-Trip to rap over his 1996 hit “Where It’s At”.
(Photo: Getty Images)
From headliner homies to totally unexpected treats, Coachella’s biggest newsmakers in recent years have always been the suprise guests! Nowadays, it’s almost unheard of for a headliner to play without another star joining for a tune or two (ahem, Chili Peppers). Check out some of Coachella’s most exciting unannounced appearances, from early crashers to the latest secret superstars. - By Tiffany Lee