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The Most Talked About Music Festival Moments of 2024 So Far

Blockbuster duets, career-making performances, superstar foot injuries, and more

By ROLLING STONE
Most talked about music festival moments of 2024 so far

AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY IMAGES; JO HALE/REDFERNS/GETTY IMAGES; MARIA-JULIANA ROJAS FOR ROLLING STONE

If you can survive the radically spiking temperatures out there, it’s been a bang-up festival season. Since no one can be everywhere, here are some standout moments from Coachella, Stagecoach, Gov Ball, and more.

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Post Malone Brings Up Billy Strings at Bonnaroo

Rumors were flying across the Farm that Post Malone would bring out Morgan Wallen during his Friday-night headlining set to re-create their Number One, “I Had Some Help.” For better or worse, that didn’t happen, but Malone did have a surprise guest on tap for Bonnaroo: Billy Strings jammed with Posty on two songs, a pyro-assisted rendition of “Rockstar” and a hushed acoustic duet of “Stay.” The pair’s friendship goes way back, but only once before (a 2022 performance of “Cocaine Blues”) has it manifested onstage, making this moment extra special. —J.H.

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Eric Church Confuses/Thrills/Pisses Off His Fans

The country iconoclast turned in one of the most polarizing Stagecoach performances in the history of the California festival, choosing to play a nearly continuous set of gospel hymns, covers (from Tupac to Kenny Loggins), and only a smattering of his own hits. Many in the crowd were confused, some furious, while others savored the you-had-to-be-there of it all. Those who caught Church’s one-man show at his Nashville bar, Chief’s, may have noticed some similarities between the performances — an artist challenging not only himself, but also his audience. —J.H.

Kid Cudi Tries Stage Diving, Officially Proves He’s Old

It’s possible to rock a little too hard, as Kid Cudi found out at Coachella. The rapper was fully in the moment when he leaped off the stage midsong and came away with a broken foot. The downstream effect was that the “Day ‘n’ Night” singer had to cancel his 2024 tour to recover from the injury, which required corrective surgery. He had a sense of humor about it, though: “This is what happens when a 40-year-old man tries to prance around off stage like he’s 26, like he used to do back in the day,” he shared on social media afterward. —J.F.

Kesha and Reneé Rapp Rip Diddy a Well-Deserved New One

Never one to hold back, Kesha left little doubt about her feelings toward Diddy during a surprise appearance at Coachella. The singer popped out during Reneé Rapp’s set so the two could perform her 2009 hit “Tik Tok,” which originally featured a cameo from the rapper, who’s currently facing several lawsuits for sexual assault. The first line, which originally went “Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy,” was altered to “Wake up in the morning like fuck P. Diddy.” Kesha and Rapp put a little extra sauce on top, adding an extended middle finger as they sang the line. —J.F.

Idles and Banksy Float a Powerful Pro-Immigrant Message

The British hardcore band Idles put on a typically pulverizing performance at England’s Glastonbury Festival in June, but this time their sharp political stances were amplified in tandem with an installation from legendary street artist and activist Banksy. During Idles’ song “Danny Nedelko,” which features lyrics about welcoming and empathizing with immigrants, an inflatable life raft filled with dummies was launched into the crowd — pointed criticism of the U.K.’s immigration policy that was shown live during festival coverage on the BBC. The band claimed to have no prior knowledge of the stunt, but it made for a powerful collision of uncompromising art. —J.F.

Coldplay Get a Shot of ‘Espresso’

Coldplay got a little rush of caffeinated energy from “Espresso” singer Sabrina Carpenter during Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2024 in Luton, England. The British rock giants welcomed the rising pop star for a performance of “Magic,” a single from the group’s 2014 album, Ghost Stories. Singer Chris Martin and Carpenter sang much of the mellow, synth-powered tune together, then harmonized beautifully during Martin’s falsetto parts near its conclusion. Carpenter, who’s been having a massive summer, seemed to be enjoying a pinch-me moment. “I love Coldplay! What is this?” she said in awe as she exited the stage. —J.F.

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