Not solely did Lana Del Rey begin her Coachella headlining set early, however her entry was epic.
On Friday, April 12, at 11:16 p.m. the competition important stage screens confirmed an aerial view of Del Rey and her entourage quickly approaching. As she neared, it grew to become clear her crew was not rolling up on the anticipated golf carts that usually shuttle stars across the Indio, Calif. fest, however somewhat bikes. And as a snippet of her never-to-be-officially-released track “Jealous Woman” performed – with the lyric “Child, I’m a gangster too” on loop – Del Rey’s motorcade took a lap by means of the group as she smiled and waved to the hundreds of followers gathered for this very second.
“What’s up, Coachella,” she requested casually, after making her approach to middle stage and providing a small smile earlier than performing “With out You” right into a fusion of Chic’s “Doin’ Time” with “Summertime Disappointment.” “I’m so blissful to be right here,” she added with one other faint, and even briefer, smile. However take into account, that is Lana Del Rey – unhappy lady pop president and eternally dedicated to the bit, whether or not she’s headlining Coachella or not.
As such, her demeanor matched the flowery set design that seemed very similar to a dilapidated model of the Gatsby Mansion lengthy after it had thrown its final celebration. Making it, in fact, the proper imaginary scene for Del Rey to host a late-night shindig of her personal full with a swing band and roaring 20s-inspired backup dancers.
Early into the set, Del Rey famous that she final performed Coachella “precisely 10 years in the past to the day” (throughout which she debuted single “West Coast”), earlier than softly speak-singing, “We’re nonetheless doing it.” But, it’s not the truth that she continues to be right here a decade in that’s spectacular, however extra in order that she continues to be fully and unapologetically herself after so a few years – or at the least, that the persona of Lana Del Rey continues to be so intact. Actually, throughout her 9 studio albums, Del Rey has seemingly change into even extra herself, taking greater experimental swings and providing longer, extra eyebrow-raising observe titles alongside the best way.
And tonight, her headlining set gave the impression to be a quiet celebration of such, throughout which Del Rey sauntered throughout the stage performing career-spanning hits that, in a competition setting like Coachella, felt virtually like underground gems that she was fastidiously unearthing. Even the anticipated “headliner stunts” have been delivered with a fragile contact: She carried out “Journey” whereas slowly spinning from inside a round, leaf-covered swing; delivered a stunning a cappella rendition of “The Grants” alongside her trio of backup singers; and, most notably of all, sang “Hope Is a Harmful Factor for a Lady Like Me to Have – however I Have It” through hologram accompanied by collaborator and shut buddy Jack Antonoff on piano, who co-produced the observe. (Earlier within the night time, she was joined by Jon Batiste on piano for an prolonged model of “Sweet Necklace.”)
The hologram – although a bit morbid, particularly contemplating the lyric, “Good day, it’s probably the most well-known lady you recognize on the iPad/Calling from past the grave” – completely punctuated the spirit of the set. As evidenced by her closing track collection of “Younger and Stunning” (which was prominently utilized in The Nice Gatsby), it grew to become more and more clear that Del Rey had come to make an announcement.
As she sings on “Younger and Stunning: “I’ve seen the world, achieved all of it, had my cake now. I’ve seen the world, lit it up as my stage now.” All of the whereas, the track’s major query loomed: “Will you continue to love me after I’m now not younger and exquisite?”
Earlier within the night time, Billie Eilish delivered an affirmative reply.
Following on-line rumors that the famous person can be making a visitor look throughout Del Rey’s set (an artist Eilish has lengthy been a fan of), she appeared towards its finish atop the arched trellis to duet on “Ocean Eyes” and “Video Video games” with Del Rey. After the 2 have been achieved, they sat a second longer, seeming genuinely surprised by each other’s presence. “Get the f–okay out of my face,” laughed Eilish, chatting with her hero.
“Yep, that’s the voice of your technology, the voice of our technology,” replied Del Rey. “I”m so f—ing grateful she’s standing subsequent to me proper now.” To which Eilish replied: “That is the rationale for half you b—-es existence, together with mine.”
That easy sentence reduce to the core of the night. Certain, the set was spotty at components – with moments of darkness and silence in between many songs and a handful of points with mic quantity, all of which Del Rey audibly referred to as out. And sure, Del Rey’s soft-spoken tendencies on and off stage could haven’t made her the obvious headlining act to kick-off Coachella. However it’s her impression that is still plain.
However don’t take my phrase for it, take it from “the voice of our technology.” The artist who we could not have had it not been for an artist like Lana Del Rey doing what she has and can all the time do finest: being Lana Del Rey.
As she delivered the ultimate word of “Younger and Stunning,” the band picked up steam and her dancers reappeared with champagne bottles in hand as fireworks exploded into the night time sky – all of the makings of a signature Gatsby blowout. And as Del Rey rode off on bike, simply as she got here in, the celebration on stage continued lengthy after she was gone. And that’s the purpose.
Her plain impression can also be unforgettable – and precisely what makes Lana Del Rey the icon she is. And one properly definitely worth the celebration.