The 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival

Sabrina Carpenter headlined the first night, with Madonna making a surprise appearance and announcing her upcoming studio album.

Sabrina Carpenter's Headlining Set

Sabrina Carpenter performed as the headliner for the first night of the Coachella festival on Friday, April 11, 2026. This marked her first time headlining the festival, following a statement she made during her 2024 Coachella set that she would return to headline.

"I can't believe I'm headlining Coachella! I mean, I can a little bit, but it's nicer to say that, right?"
— Sabrina Carpenter

Performance Structure and Production

The performance began at approximately 9:00 p.m. with a pre-taped, black-and-white video introduction featuring actor Sam Elliott. The set lasted approximately 90 minutes and included multiple costume changes.

The stage design featured a vintage Hollywood theme, including a "Sabrinawood" sign. Set pieces depicted settings such as a replica of the Hollywood Hills, a recording studio, a dive bar, a dance studio, and a Broadway-style cityscape. Dancers' costumes included outfits representing poodles, Dalmatians, burlesque dancers, and circus members.

Setlist and Performance Elements

Carpenter primarily performed songs from her albums Man's Best Friend and Short n' Sweet. The setlist included:

• "House Tour"
• "Taste"
• "Busy Woman"
• "Manchild"
• "When Did You Get Hot"
• "We Almost Broke Up Last Night"
• "Juno"
• "Espresso"
• "Goodbye"
• "Tears"

Key performance moments:

• We Almost Broke Up Last Night was performed live for the first time.
• Feather was performed with backup dancers wearing large black wings.
• A sample from the song Copacabana was used during the set.
• The performance concluded with Carpenter seated on a throne that ascended from a car. She then departed the stage in a vintage automobile.

Celebrity Appearances

The performance included cameo appearances and pre-recorded segments featuring several actors:

Artist Statements

Before performing "Espresso," Carpenter reflected on her 2024 Coachella performance, when she had released the song just before the show:

"Two years ago, I wanted to put out a little song before Coachella. And now I think you might know the fucking words."

In an interview published earlier in the week with Perfect magazine, Carpenter described the Coachella show as "the most ambitious show I've ever done."

Madonna's Surprise Performance and Album Announcement

During the second weekend of the festival, Madonna appeared as a surprise guest during Sabrina Carpenter's headlining set, performing a medley of songs and announcing a new album.

"Sabrina, thank you so much for inviting me on your show. What a gas."
— Madonna

"No thanks needed, Madonna. You can have whatever you want."
— Sabrina Carpenter

Performance Details

Madonna joined Carpenter on stage and performed a duet of her 1990 song Vogue. They also performed Like A Prayer together and a new track from Madonna's upcoming album.

Album Announcement

Madonna announced her 15th studio album, Confessions On A Dance Floor: Part II, scheduled for release on July 3, 2026. The album is a follow-up to her 2005 album Confessions On A Dance Floor and is being produced with Stuart Price, who worked on the 2005 album.

The singer released a single titled "I Feel So Free" ahead of her Coachella performance. Madonna has returned to Warner Records, the label she worked with during the first two decades of her career. Her previous studio albums include MDNA (2012), Rebel Heart (2015), and Madame X (2019).

Madonna's Reflection

Addressing the audience, Madonna noted:

"20 years ago today, I performed at Coachella. I was in the dance tent, and it was the first time I performed Confessions on the Dance Floor Part One in America. That was such a thrill for me, so you can imagine what a thrill it is for me to be back 20 years later in the same boots, the same corset, the jacket I had on earlier, the same Gucci jacket. So, it's like a full circle moment, very meaningful for me."

She also joked:

"This is probably the first time I've ever performed with someone shorter than me."

Madonna's Club Appearance

Madonna made an unannounced appearance at The Abbey, a West Hollywood LGBTQ bar and nightclub, on Saturday, April 12. The event was invite-only and titled "Club Confessions Los Angeles."

She appeared in the DJ booth at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday alongside DJ Stuart Price, who played her new single I Feel So Free. The set lasted approximately 30 minutes. Attendees included Addison Rae, CAA's Kevin Huvane, and RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Symone and Eureka. Madonna was accompanied by her boyfriend Akeem Morris and her CAA agent Maha Dakhil.

Additional Information

• Madonna will appear in the second season of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's series The Studio.
• In 2024, two fans filed a lawsuit against Madonna for allegedly starting concerts hours late; the lawsuit was later dropped.
• Sabrina Carpenter has previously cited Madonna among her favorite artists.
• At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, Carpenter wore a white sparkly Bob Mackie dress that Madonna wore to the 1991 Oscars.
• Madonna's manager Guy Oseary has stated that Madonna will tour again, but plans are not yet confirmed.
• Justin Bieber and Karol G were scheduled as headliners for the other nights of the festival.