Sabrina Carpenter Kicks Off Coachella with Star-Studded Hollywood-Themed Set

The pop singer's opening night performance featured celebrity cameos and high-concept production.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:20am

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An extreme close-up of shimmering red sequins on a dress, captured in dramatic, high-contrast lighting to create a luxurious, high-fashion aesthetic that evokes the glamour of old Hollywood.Sabrina Carpenter's Coachella headlining set blended vintage Hollywood glamour with a series of high-profile celebrity cameos, showcasing the pop star's ambitious creative vision.Indio Today

Sabrina Carpenter headlined the opening night of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, in Indio, California. Her performance, titled "Sabrinawood," blended vintage Hollywood aesthetics with a series of high-profile celebrity cameos, including appearances by Susan Sarandon, Sam Elliott, Will Ferrell, and Corey Fogelmanis. The set featured a cinematic intro, theatrical elements, and a setlist spanning Carpenter's discography.

Why it matters

Carpenter's Coachella headlining slot marked a significant milestone in her career, fulfilling a claim she made during her previous festival appearance in 2024. The high-concept production and celebrity cameos also generated buzz and excitement around the opening night of the iconic music festival.

The details

Carpenter's set began with a black-and-white short film in which she portrayed a "Hitchcock Blonde" driving a 1950s classic car down a lone highway while singing along to "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool & the Gang. The sequence transitioned to Technicolor as Carpenter emerged from the car, alluding to the film "The Wizard of Oz." She then took the stage via a catwalk designed to resemble the Hollywood Walk of Fame, wearing a red glittery mini dress as a nod to Dorothy's ruby slippers. The production integrated several iconic actors, including Susan Sarandon as an older version of Carpenter and Will Ferrell as a bumbling electrician. Other celebrity appearances included Corey Fogelmanis as a waiter and Samuel L. Jackson providing the voice of a spiritual guide. The visual production also featured background dancers dressed as poodles and Dalmatians.

  • Sabrina Carpenter headlined the opening night of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026.
  • Carpenter's previous Coachella appearance was in 2024, where she told the crowd she would see them "back here when I headline."

The players

Sabrina Carpenter

An American singer and actress who headlined the opening night of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, with a high-concept, Hollywood-themed performance.

Susan Sarandon

An American actress who appeared in Carpenter's Coachella set as an older version of the singer, delivering a dramatic monologue from a classic car at a drive-in.

Sam Elliott

An American actor who appeared in Carpenter's Coachella set as a police officer who pulls over her character in the opening black-and-white short film sequence.

Will Ferrell

An American actor and comedian who appeared in Carpenter's Coachella set as a bumbling electrician.

Corey Fogelmanis

An American actor who appeared in Carpenter's Coachella set as a waiter, and is a former co-star of Carpenter's from the TV series "Girl Meets World."

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What they’re saying

“If I said that and I didn't headline, it'd be pretty fucking awkward.”

— Sabrina Carpenter

The takeaway

Sabrina Carpenter's high-profile Coachella headlining debut showcased her ambition and creative vision, blending nostalgic Hollywood aesthetics with contemporary pop music. The performance's theatrical elements and celebrity cameos generated significant buzz and excitement around the opening night of the iconic music festival.