Divergent Beats

Here at Divergent Beats, we had the pleasure—and let’s be real, the honour—of watching Charli XCX’s full Coachella 2025 set via livestream. And honestly? We’re still recovering.

What we witnessed wasn’t just a performance. It was a cultural event. A pop reckoning. A Brat-fueled, beat-heavy sermon under the California sun. Charli took to one of the biggest stages in the world and, without the title of headliner, proved that she didn’t need it—because she was the headliner in spirit, energy, and impact.

She kicked things off with “365”, igniting the crowd from the first second. Alone onstage, backed by razor-sharp choreography and that instantly iconic all-green look, Charli captivated tens of thousands. It was a masterclass in how to command a space—and make everyone dance like it was their last day on Earth.

Then came the surprises that shook the internet to its core. First, Troye Sivan stepped out for their high-energy collab “Talk Talk”, and it was queer electro-pop perfection. Then Billie Eilish entered for a raw, haunting duet of their Grammy-winning track “Guess,” reminding us why their creative partnership feels so natural—and so necessary. And finally, Lorde joined Charli for the first-ever live performance of the Girl, So Confusing remix. The moment was tender, meta, and kind of legendary. The “weird girl” alliance was complete.

Charli didn’t just give us a show—she built a universe.

If you’ve been even remotely conscious since last summer, you’ve felt the ripple effects of Brat—the album that defined a new wave of pop. With its abrasive beats, slime-green aesthetic, and unapologetic messaging, Brat was never just an album. It became a movement. A moodboard. A manifesto. And yes, it birthed the now-iconic Brat Summer—a season, a vibe, a state of mind where being too much is exactly enough.

Charli didn’t just drop tracks. She dropped truth bombs. She made it cool to be chaotic, emotional, loud, online, messy, and powerful. She picked up every misfit pop lover and said, you’re one of us now.

And the world noticed.

Grammy wins for Best Dance/Electronic Album, Best Dance Pop Recording (Von Dutch), and Best Recording Package. A Brit Award. Brat was named Word of the Year by Collins Dictionary. Her look was everywhere, from underground zines to Paris runways. She didn’t just influence the culture—she became it.

At Coachella, Charli didn’t just perform—she testified. She proved that being a brat is a form of self-love, of rage, of liberation. And she closed the set with the nostalgic banger “I Love It,” throwing it back to where it all started—before burning it all down.

As the last note echoed into the desert night, the giant screens faded to black. Then, a single question appeared in white:

“Is Brat Summer finally over?”

And then—silence.

No green. No glitter. Just black.

Until a red flag appeared on fire, blazing across the screen with one final plea:

“Please don’t let it be over.”

Charli XCX didn’t need the headliner slot. She became the headline. She reminded us why we fell in love with pop in the first place: because it makes us feel alive. Weird. Free. And seen.

And if this really was the end of Brat Summer? She made damn sure it went out in flames.

And here our emotional tracker for concerts:

By Divergent Beats Team