Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and acclaimed actor-singer Cynthia Erivo joined conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic in a stunning surprise at Coachella 2025 Weekend 2 for a genre-blending symphonic set that electrified the desert crowd, per variety.com. Grohl unleashed powerful renditions of Foo Fighters’ “The World Is a Neighborhood” and the iconic “Everlong,” proving his rock energy was undiminished even with a full orchestra behind him. Erivo closed the night with a soulful ballad followed by a heartfelt cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain,” captivating the audience with her emotive vocals.
This unique collaboration was part of the LA Phil’s groundbreaking Coachella debut, where classical music met contemporary stars. Natasha Bedingfield also joined exclusively for the second weekend, performing her 2004 hit “Unwritten” with lush orchestral strings and choir accompaniment. The set featured returning guests like Venezuelan duo Cat7riel and Paco, who delivered an exhilarating Latin-symphonic fusion, and jazz-pop sensation Laufey, who performed her hit “From the Start” and new single “Silver Lining,” sharing her joy of performing with an orchestra at a major pop festival.
Dudamel described the experience as “perhaps the best two weekends of our lives,” emphasising the festival’s spirit of unity through music. He highlighted how the setlist bridged classical masterpieces by Wagner, Beethoven and Vivaldi with contemporary artistes, breaking down barriers between genres. Dudamel called the event a “journey” that showcased music as one universal language, celebrating the shared soul of all styles.
The LA Philharmonic’s Coachella performance marks a historic moment for classical music’s presence at major pop festivals, blending symphonic grandeur with rock and pop energy in a way that resonated deeply with the diverse audience. This fusion of styles and star power made the second weekend’s show a memorable highlight of Coachella 2025.
•Featured image: Coachella/YouTube
