The stars were out in force as Coachella kicked off in Indio, California over the weekend. Around 184 acts are set to take to multiple stages over the festival’s two weekends, but it was the slew of surprise, guest appearances that has set the Californian desert abuzz with excitement, in anticipation, no doubt, of what’s in store for next week.
The king of collaborations himself Mr Pharrell Williams took the stage this weekend and whilst donning his world-famous headgear played host to a parade of guests who helped him deliver a career highlights reel of smash hits.
After diving into cuts from his new album, G I R L, the master producer Pharrell introduced a smorgasbord of famous friends, starting with Nelly who burst onstage to play the Neptunes-produced Hot In Herre.
Busta Rhymes and Puff Daddy followed to help Pharrell with a rendition of Pass the Courvoisier Part II, while Snoop Dogg strolled into view for Drop It Like It’s Hot and Beautiful. Tyler, The Creator and Diplo even dropped by to play the Major Lazer track Aerosol Can.
Perhaps the most shocking guest appearance came when Pharrell teased “some crazy shit”, introducing the “incredible, historical, most important … girl in the world”. As the beat to Hollaback Girl began, Gwen Stefani appeared declaring, “Uh huh, this my shit!” After Stefani’s performance, Pharrell told the crowd, “Look how amazing the queen looks as she is making her arrival back to the music industry.”
Watch: Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams Live Coachella 2014
Watch: Pharrell Williams Coachella 2014 Full Set
http://youtu.be/MwhtcruhT-8
There were also some other notable onstage-meetings during this weekend’s festivities. Eight years after their infamous feud ended and just a few hours after Beyonce and Solange teamed up, Jay Z hopped onstage during Nas‘ set. They performed 90’s hits Dead Presidents II, and Where I’m From. Not one to miss out on the fun, Puff Daddy also joined Nas for a song, helping out on their 1999 collaboration Hate Me Now.
Watch: Jay Z and Nas Live Coachella 2014
http://youtu.be/wshIajHFFws
Watch: Nas Coachella 2014 Full Set
http://youtu.be/qqFbgBN5zKY
As previously reported, while currently reigning pop queen Beyonce wasn’t slated to perform this weekend, fans watching her sister Solange were treated to a joint dance routine featuring Mrs Carter herself. As Solange was concluding her scheduled set with the track Losing You, Bey appeared and the sisters indulged in a giddily performed, and well-synchronised dance routine.
Watch: Beyonce and Solange Knowles at Coachella 2014
http://youtu.be/UzAk46LMk-g
Girl Talk, during his Friday night Coachella set, also brought out a few special guests, including Busta Rhymes, who did his Look At Me Now verse over Arcade Fire‘s Wake Up instrumental. E-40 appeared to perform Tell Me When To Go, Too $hort delivered Blow The Whistle, while Juicy J set fire with his performance of Bandz A Make Her Dance.
Watch: Girl Talk w/ Special Guests Coachella 2014 Full Set
http://youtu.be/Z6ywXkI4h8c
The weekend also saw the members of legendary Atlanta hip-hop crew Outkast take the stage for the first time since 2006, with Andre “3000″ Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton joined onstage by the likes of Janelle Monáe and Future. André 3000 teased during his set that “one of my idols, Prince, is backstage right now” but the megastar did not appear onstage.
Watch: Outkast with Janelle Monáe at Coachella 2014
Watch: Outkast Coachella 2014 Full Set
http://youtu.be/oPEiAGFMnNI
