Sabrina Carpenter fulfilled a promise made two years ago when she returned to the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, as a headliner for Coachella’s opening night. The pop star, known for her cheeky lyrics and theatrical performances, delivered an ambitious revue complete with elaborate sets and cinematic interludes.
Carpenter’s set, dubbed “Sabrinawood” by fans, featured a Hollywood Hills-style backdrop and multiple costume changes. The 26-year-old emerged from a vintage car in a red sequin dress, performing hits like Espresso, Taste, and Bed Chem. Her 90-minute show included pre-filmed chapter breaks and complex choreography, drawing comparisons to Lady Gaga’s acclaimed Coachella set the previous year.
The singer’s rise to headliner status followed the viral success of Espresso in 2024 and two albums, Short n’ Sweet and Man’s Best Friend. Her setlist of over 20 songs notably omitted earlier hits like Nonsense, showcasing her evolution as a pop savant. Carpenter’s performance combined madcap maximalism with sharp comedic timing, cementing her place among pop’s elite.
