The second weekend of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival brought the biggest names to Indio. Weekend Two is known to be better for music fans—and for the most part it was. As of late, fashion at the festival seems to be the prominent subject as flower crowns and man buns were prevalent, but in the end, the music is what it was all about. 

Biggest Surprise Of The “Weeknd”: The Weeknd and Kanye West

The Weeknd, who was already putting on a tight set at Coachella, brought out the best surprise guest of Weekend Two. He covered “Heartless,” and out of nowhere, Kanye West jumped onto the stage. Festival goers who were leaving the set came sprinting back to see West perform “Black Skinhead,” “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and his newest track, “All Day.”

Best Act You Would Regret Not Seeing: Royal Blood and Stromae

It’s tough having a set midday, especially in the sweltering heat, but on Day Two, UK rockers Royal Blood played through an incredible set. The duo’s unfailing energy and precise talent are already helping amass rock fans worldwide. 

Stromae is basically the Belgian Michael Jackson. He danced and sang through his set with the crowd singing and dancing along to every song despite the fact that it’s all in French. Drama, excitement and innovation abound his set—Kanye even went on stage to dance with Stromae for a while. From beginning to end, the set exuded energy and playfulness; it was hands down one of the best sets of the weekend. 

Best Sun “Set”: The War On Drugs

On Day One, Phildephian rockers The War On Drugs brought their illustrious tunes to Coachella. Playing as the sun set, Adam Granduciel delivered one of the best sets of the festival playing through most of “Lost In The Dream." Their dreamy, hazy and beautiful tunes provided festival goers a perfect time to chill out and appreciate the music. 

Best Improvement: Tyler The Creator 

Tyler The Creator, who just dropped his latest record “Cherry Bomb,” put on a fantastic show for the Weekend Two crowd. Driving onto the stage in a go-kart and filled with child-like energy, Tyler candidly admitted how horrible last weekend was and how perfect this weekend just a few songs into his set. 

What Made Weekend Two Special: George Ezra and Florence and The Machine

George Ezra, who canceled his set the first weekend because of Laryngitis, came back swinging to an eager crowd. The “Budapest” singer’s baritone voice carried the crowd through his first American festival and definitely made fans out of many. 

Florence Welch broke her foot last week jumping off of the stage, but it was truly special to see her come back from that to deliver a special show to a packed festival crowd. With a string section and guest appearance from Father John Misty, Florence sang through plenty of hits with impeccable vocals and impressively commanded the crowd with her charm and talent. 

Best Headliner: Jack White

Though ACDC and Drake are phenomenal in their own right, Jack White delivered an incredible set filled with his solo work and White Stripes hits. Repeating “Music Is Sacred! Music Is Sacred,” the guitarist reminded the crowd of how important it is to support musicians before playing “Seven Nation Army.” 

Best Discovery: Coasts

Coasts, another one of many bands from the UK, played an early set to dedicated fans on Day Two. I caught the last half of their set, and the band played “A Rush Of Blood” and “Ocean,” two extremely well received, punk pop tracks that had people dancing and jumping about. 

Coolest Thing You May Have Missed: The Do Lab

The Do Lab is an outdoor, rainbow tented stage where Spring Break has its second coming. With DJs spinning music from the morning to midnight, festival goers who found the tent had a grand time dancing and frolicking in the mist coming from the flower decorated water guns. 

Biggest Disappointment: Drake

Drake’s set left something to be desired. While the Canadian singer-rapper performed through many hits, he started his set 20 minutes late and ended 20 minutes early. Nicki Minaj made a guest appearance when Drake sang a few lines off of “Truffle Butter,” but did not perform the song with him.

 

Reach Music Editor Joyce Jude Lee here.