The Artists, Trends and Brands That Defined Coachella 2025

Instagram continues to lead in terms of mentions

Instagram came out on top in terms of total post volume, accounting for over 48,000 posts, while TikTok followed closely with just above 40,000. Although the difference is modest, it reflects the enduring visual influence of Instagram at events like Coachella, especially for curated content like photo carousels, stories and influencer partnerships. TikTok, on the other hand, continues to thrive on live reactions, performances and viral moments — making both platforms essential to the festival's digital presence.

Video content takes centre stage 

When it comes to Instagram content at Coachella, videos are now taking centre stage. Over half of the posts analysed were video-based, showing a clear shift away from the platform’s photo roots. Whether it was artist performances, behind-the-scenes clips, or influencer outfit reveals, video proved to be the preferred format for capturing the energy of the festival. Static images still had their place — especially for high-quality fashion shots and scenic views — but the data confirms what many creators already know: motion gets more emotion.

Sentiment Analysis

The overall tone of the Coachella 2025 conversation on Instagram was overwhelmingly positive. More than a third of posts (34.4%) expressed positive sentiment, while negative sentiment remained low at just 4.4%. The majority of content was neutral — typical of festival coverage like outfit tags, scenic shots, or artist mentions without strong opinion. But the high share of positivity suggests that most users were sharing the joy, excitement, and awe that Coachella is known for. In a space often marked by online criticism, this upbeat mood stands out.  

The sparkle emoji featured in 1 out of every 10 posts 

✨ stole the show, popping up in over 10% of posts to add some sparkle to festival looks and desert sunsets. 🔥 was close behind (8.6%). The 🎡 emoji brought the iconic Coachella aesthetic to life, while 🌵 and 📸 reminded us it’s all about that desert content. And of course, ❤️ and 🎶 made the cut — because what’s a festival without some feels and bangers?

Female artists made a major impact both onstage and on socials 

The Coachella conversation this year was ruled by the women. Mentions of Lady Gaga, Jennie, Lisa, and Charli XCX dominated the buzz, showing just how much female artists stole the spotlight. In true Coachella fashion, there were surprises too - particularly with mentions of Bernie Sanders, who took to the stage before Clairo as part of his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour. This shows how instrumental festivals like Coachella can be for reaching a younger audience.

The top 5 brands mentioned on Instagram

1. Prada
2. Dolce & Gabbana
3. Prime Video
4. MAC Cosmetics
5. Red Bull