Moto boots and Doc Martens have replaced the mirage of cowboy boots usually seen on the festival grounds. Where white, pastels and tans used to own the color game, black has crept in.
We’re no longer boho cowgirl, we’re so in the future. And there can only be one culprit. The dark queen of pop, the purveyor of personality, the queen to all monsters: Lady Gaga.
Ryan Hernandez of Texas poses for a photograph on weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Maylyn Castro and Karen Roman pose for a photograph on day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Junior Casas and Edwin Gomez pose for a photograph during weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Edwin Gomez and Junior Casas pose for a photograph during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Alisa Miura shows off her nails on weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Maylyn Castro and Karen Roman pose for a photograph on day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Yesenia Contreras of Fontana poses for a photograph during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Gabriella Couloubaritsis poses for a photograph on day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Angel Cruz of New York gets ready to attend day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Ash Kumar and Queris Au pose for a photograph on day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Diego Paez poses for a photograph during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Diego Paez waits in the Lady Gaga merchandise line during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival attracts style os all kinds in Indio, CA April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Marielle Aguilar attends the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Anna Buzitis attends the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
Festivalgoers look on as the Go-Go’s perform at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival continues for the second weekend on Friday, April 18, 2025.(Photo by Andy Holzman, Contributing Photographer)
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Ryan Hernandez of Texas poses for a photograph on weekend two of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Friday, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The iconic pop star is set to return to the festival for round two Friday night — her performance last week was dubbed “dazzling,” “impressive” and “uniquely artful” during weekend one.
And, beyond setting a new standard for what a Friday night headliner should deliver to the crowd, she’s also setting the dress code.
“She just always does it right,” festival attendee Edwin Gomez said. “Even in her odd ways. And I feel like that was the key for this fit. Out of the box, but still eye-catching.”
Gomez was in all-black, with draped dress pants, a baggy hoodie, lacy black gloves and a stuffed black cat attached to his belt He was joined by Junior Casas, also in all-back, with cargo shorts, a baggy hoodie, Doc Martens and sunglasses that had silver spikes protruding from them.
They both said that their biggest inspiration for their outfits was Lady Gaga.
“I’m a true monster, since all the way back in the day, so I feel like, even in just the past decade she’s transformed not only just fashion but music in her own way,” Casas said. “And hasn’t allowed, I guess, people or the vision to kind of be led astray. It’s always been based off her own artistry.”
That sentiment seemed to be felt in the crowd: Many wore black or silver, and the unusually cold Coachella weather (Friday’s high was in the upper 70s) allowed for creative layering very reminiscent of Gaga’s classic looks.
Some strayed from black, embracing colors and textures more classic to the Coachella scene. But, fear not, there were still plenty of cowboy boots.