Best of Coachella

PROVOKR’s 5 favorite performances at the festival

BY: PROVOKR Staff

Ice Cube and NWA Team Up Again

INDIO, CA - APRIL 23: (L-R) Members of N.W.A. DJ Yella, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and MC Ren perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 2 at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
“The notorious rappers blazed through their classics, including “Straight Outta Compton” and—although Ice Cube said he was advised not to perform it—”Fuck Tha Police.” Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella.

 

Kesha’s Defiant Stand

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 by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Performing for the first time since she went public with sexual assault claims against her former record producer, the singer jumped on stage with DJ Zedd to perform “True Colors.” Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella.

 

Sia’s Performance Art

INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Sia (L) and dancer perform onstage 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 by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
“The most elevated, spiritual experience was had watching @Sia do her thing effortlessly, naturally” tweeted Katy Perry of the Australian singer’s Coachella performance, which featured acted-out performances—by stars like Kristen Wiig—of such hits as “Chandelier” and “Diamonds” (which Sia wrote for Rihanna). Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella.

 

The Guns N’ Roses Reunion

INDIO, CA - APRIL 16: Musician Axl Rose and Slash of Guns N' Roses performs 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 by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
Axl Rose and Slash brought the 1980s roaring back with head-banging performances of their legendary hits “Paradise City,” “Live and Let Die” and “Sweet Child of Mine.” Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella.

 

Rihanna’s Surprise Appearance with Calvin Harris

INDIO, CA - APRIL 17: Singer Rihanna performs 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 by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella)
The Scottish DJ/music producer got the crowd amped up with his mix of electronic dance music before being joined on stage by Rihanna, who performed the song she and Harris collaborated on, “We Found Love.” Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Coachella.