Lanachella, an unexpected reference to Jesus, K-pop buzz and much more: Per usual, the first day of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival has brought no shortage of social media commentary, and we’re here to give you the rundown on what has everyone talking.
Bizarre billboard
Before attendees even arrived at this year’s first weekend of the annual festival, a roadside installment caught the eyes of the internet. Coachella’s Friday headliner Lana Del Rey’s infamous 2012 SNL performance is referenced in an odd billboard on Interstate 10 near the festival grounds in Indio.
Lana Del Rey billboard spotted near #Coachella . pic.twitter.com/99PtoWIyLr
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) April 12, 2024
Interpreting the meaning behind the message, X user @honeymounz wrote, “She was crucified by the critics and opened the doors for modern alt acts to thrive… she’s literally the Jesus of modern music.”
The SNL performance referenced was widely-known for its off-pitch vocals and general awkwardness, called one of the worst at the time of its airing. More recently, it was brought up again in an alleged comment made by a 2024 Grammy voter that was leaked, noting that Del Rey didn’t receive the caster’s vote because they “haven’t taken Lana Del Rey seriously as an artist since her infamous SNL performance and never will.”
It’s unclear whether Del Rey is actually behind the billboard, but fans speculated that it was meant as commentary on the alt-singer’s comeback, given that she’s a headliner this year.
The Lana Coachella billboard… she was living in a hostel on 17th Street and crucified for her art in front of a national audience… now she's headlining the festival and doing so on her own terms… genuinely moving pic.twitter.com/3xpWfhiAQB
— savannah eden (@savbrads) April 12, 2024
Sabrina Carpenter’s T-shirt
At the end of her Friday night set, pop-singer Sabrina Carpenter threw an oversized tee over her concert attire that read, “Jesus was a carpenter.” Queue fan reactions.
Jesus was a Carpenter 🤍 pic.twitter.com/TD3qgvLBa7
— sabrina daily (@brinasdaily) April 13, 2024
The outfit-change was likely a reference to controversy late last year after Carpenter filmed her music video for her song “Feather” in a Catholic church. In response to critics calling the move sacrilege, Carpenter noted that she had received permission to film there and added that “Jesus was a carpenter” in a cheeky reference to her own last name.
sabrina carpenter coming out in a “jesus was a carpenter” shirt is honestly the best and more iconic moment i’ve seen at coachella? someone give her branding team a raise
— remi (@remisversion) April 13, 2024
ATEEZ has the moves
Per usual, K-pop fans have flooded social media site X with comments about the genre’s Coachella performances. Taking the lead for conversation from day one was boy band ATEEZ, which performed on the Sahara Stage.
https://twitter.com/CJHcontent/status/1779063230758822117
woosanisms during bouncy… they don’t know they’re my whole world #ATEEZatCoachella #CHELLATEEZ pic.twitter.com/XEug4vlwhP
— chellateez! 🎀🎡 (@woosanrio) April 13, 2024
Lana’s whole performance
Del Rey came to wow, according to the internet. From her iconic motorcycle entrance to her songs with surprise special guest Billie Eilish, videos from the singer’s late-night set racked up likes and comments on social media.
Lana’s Coachella entrance is going down in history as one of the best ever pic.twitter.com/inLHxUJ8x3
— 𝒦𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃⸆⸉ 🤍 (@perfectlyfine89) April 13, 2024
billie eilish and lana del rey performing together is what I wanted to see today. pic.twitter.com/Y66p286r4c
— Ramen (@CoconutShawarma) April 13, 2024
