INDIO, California – Music superstar Lady Gaga returned to a massive audience for the first time in eight years, headlining the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 11, where she danced with model skeletons, fought a dancer dressed as a monster and served up a surprise encore.

“Welcome to my house of mayhem,” the Bad Romance (2009) singer said from the stage.

The 39-year-old American weaved together songs from her Mayhem album (2025), as well as older ones, including Poker Face (2008), Judas (2011) and Born This Way (2011).

“I love you,” Lady Gaga said several times during the two-hour concert.

In typically flamboyant style, she raced through costume changes, including a red gown, black leotard, feathery white dress and metallic armour with a cape.

To match her dedication to dressing up, fans opted for statement pieces to honour the singer.

“I love her artistry,” Mr Jay Green from Florida said as he stood alongside a group of friends. “This is the first time I’ve seen her live.”

His group wore giraffe headbands with glowing lights.

Ms Diane Leeds from Northern California, who has been attending Coachella for years, donned a giant flower headband. “Lady Gaga is definitely the highlight of this year for me,” she said.

Lady Gaga is known for upbeat pop music that incorporates electropop, dance, rock, house, jazz and experimental genres.

The singer, songwriter and actress is set to perform a series of concerts for her 2025 Mayhem Ball tour for her Mayhem album.

The album made its way to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, becoming her seventh chart-topping album. It also debuted at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.

Her top-charting songs from the album include Die With A Smile – a collaboration with American singer Bruno Mars – and Abracadabra.

Lady Gaga filled in as Coachella headliner in 2017 for American pop star Beyonce after the Cowboy Carter (2024) singer dropped out when her doctors advised her to avoid a rigorous schedule, according to a statement on the festival’s official Facebook page. REUTERS

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