Coachella 2016, Day 1: Early Starts, Surprise Guests & Kanye West (16 Pics)

Mike Wass | April 16, 2016 12:13 pm
15 Unmissable Acts At Coachella 2016
From The 1975 to Halsey, we list 15 acts you really don't want to miss at Coachella 2016.

There’s a (very understandable) tendency to arrive late at festivals. The party hasn’t really started yet, it’s usually searingly hot — at least, in California — and the opening acts are hit and miss. Unfortunately, there’s a flip side. Festival tardiness also means missing out on new artists on the cusp of big things. Day 1 at Coachella is a case in point. Break-out Brits Frances and Låpsley delivered phenomenal sets, enchanting their respective tents with intricately wrought, deeply emotional tunes. No an easy feat when half the crowd is rolling on ecstasy.

As the day wore on and people poured into the Empire Polo Club, the party atmosphere intensified with high-energy sets from Years & Years, Robert DeLong, Miami Horror and Louis The Child. The latter DJ duo brought out Icona Pop as special guests, sparking a trend that continued well into the night. Bebe Rexha joined G-Eazy in the Sahara tent for a boisterous rendition of “Me, Myself & I,” while Seal made a cameo during (early) festival stand-out Gallant’s incredible set.

And then there was Kanye West. He joined A$AP Rocky on the Outdoor stage for The Life Of Pablo highlight “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1.” Unfortunately, he experienced technical issues — making it near impossible to hear him rap. Maybe that’s why he came out again (if only to wave at the crowd and leave) during Jack Ü’s headline set. Diplo and Skrillex were also joined by AlunaGeorge and Kiesza. Click through pics from Day 1 up top.

What was your Day 1 highlight? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!