With Day 1 of Weekend 1 of Coachella coming to a close, Lady Gaga made her long-awaited return to the Empire Polo Club on April 12. Eight years after her last appearance, her headlining set—titled Mayhem in the Desert—unfolded as a five-act gothic-pop opera. It was a feast of high fashion, surreal visuals, and a meticulously curated setlist that spanned her career while introducing songs from her latest album, Mayhem.
Act I: Of Velvet and Vice
The show opened with Gaga emerging from a brutalist opera house stage, draped in a dramatic red cape by Sam Lewis. She launched into “Bloody Mary,” followed by “Abracadabra” and “Judas,” setting a tone of dark elegance. The act concluded with a life-sized chessboard performance of “Poker Face,” featuring a stylized battle that ended with the crowd chanting “Off with her head!”
Act II: And She Fell into a Gothic Dream
The mood shifted into something dreamlike. Gaga appeared entombed in sand beside skeletons, adorned in a corseted gown by Dilara Findikoglu. This act featured tracks like “Perfect Celebrity,” “Disease,” and “Paparazzi,” each elevated by surreal set pieces crafted by artist Sarah Sitkin.
Act III: The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name
The energy spiked as Gaga dove into “Killah,” her haunting collaboration with Gesaffelstein. “Zombieboy” and “Die with a Smile” followed, with Gaga embodying the chaos and allure of the night. Her dynamic presence commanded the stage—and the desert with it.
Act IV: To Wake Her Is to Lose Her
Then came the emotional turn. Gaga delivered stripped-back performances of “Shadow of a Man” and “Born This Way,” forging a deep connection with the audience. A soaring rendition of “Shallow” closed out the act, spotlighting her vocal power and raw emotion.
Finale: Eternal Aria of the Monster Heart
The grand finale hit with “Bad Romance.” Gaga, now dressed in a white feathered ensemble by Matières Fécales and Chrome Hearts boots, closed the show in operatic fashion. It was the ultimate payoff—a cathartic, breathtaking moment that tied the night’s gothic, glamorous chaos together.
Looking Ahead
Fans and critics alike have praised the set as one of the best of Coachella Weekend 1. The Guardian gave it a rare 5/5, calling it “a fully realized vision of a pop master.” Many are already hailing it as one of the greatest Coachella performances of all time.
With The Mayhem Ball tour on the horizon, Gaga’s Coachella return wasn’t just a comeback. It was a rebirth—a reminder that no one does spectacle, story, or reinvention quite like her.
Lady Gaga Coachella 2025 Setlist (Weekend 1, Day 1)
Intro:
The Manifesto of Mistress Mayhem
Act I: Of Vice and Velvet
- Bloody Mary
- Abracadabra
- Judas
- Scheiße
- Garden of Eden
- Poker Face
— “Off with Her Head” Interlude
Act II: And She Fell into a Gothic Dream
- Perfect Celebrity (shortened)
- Disease
- Paparazzi
- Alejandro
- The Beast
Act III: The Beautiful Nightmare That Knows Her Name
- Killah
- Zombieboy
- Die with a Smile (shortened)
- How Bad Do U Want Me
— “Dance or Die” Interlude
Act IV: To Wake Her Is to Lose Her
- Shadow of a Man (“Kill for Love” outro)
- Born This Way
- Shallow
- Vanish Into You
Finale: Eternal Aria of the Monster Heart
- Bad Romance
