Coachella 2026, as per usual, received many mixed reviews from its attendees, as well as the general public. Every year, people complain about the rising ticket prices, unbearable weather and overall air of overconsumption that surrounds the event. Everything that happens at Coachella is a big deal, and it is more expensive than it ever needs to be.

One big expensive event that happened at this year’s festival was a collaboration that stunned the entire audience. Sabrina Carpenter, the main headliner of this year’s festival, brought out a surprising guest during her Coachella Weekend Two set.  Madonna was brought onstage, and together, the two pop stars performed “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer,” both written by Madonna.  There was also a third song they performed together, which is a new collaboration the two will be releasing together in the near future.  Since this new song has yet to be released, fans are not exactly sure what the title is, but some rumors have suggested either “Bring Your Love” or “I Feel So Free.”  We will see when the song becomes available for streaming!

This collaboration between Madonna and Carpenter was highly unexpected but is a good pairing that brings together two completely different generations of pop music.  Plus, the two singers have a lot in common.  They both write a lot of songs about sexuality, but from a very feminist perspective.  They have both done a lot for the women’s rights movement, as well as supporting other groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community.  

These two performing together is a historical moment in pop music because while the two singers have so much in common, they were also able to give 1980s pop fans and 2020s pop fans something to share.  Today, our society has a lot of generational divide; it seems like Gen X and Gen Z do not have anything in common anymore, but now we can share this one exciting performance.  Soon enough we will have a song by Carpenter and Madonna to enjoy together, as well!

At the event itself, people in the crowd seemed to have mixed reactions.  The two pop stars put on an amazing show together, but the crowd looked pretty unenthused.  Videos and images online show tens of thousands of fans standing perfectly still, holding their phones up to record or livestream this brilliant performance.  Nobody danced or sang along, in fact, there was barely any movement going on.  It was eerie.  Festivals used to be a place to celebrate and enjoy the music you love, but Coachella is proving the unfortunate reality that nowadays, many people just go to concerts for the sake of internet clout.  

Sure, this performance did happen pretty late at night.  People had been standing shoulder-to-shoulder all day in the California heat and were likely tired.  But it is still sad to see a complete lack of enthusiasm for this amazing show that millions of people would have given anything to go to.