The Tamesis
The first weekend of Coachella 2026 had no shortage of pop stars – minimalist showgirl pop guru Sabrina Carpenter kicked things off, and four years later, Justin Bieber delivered a nostalgic headlining performance. But it was the subversive and boundary-pushing pop girls that really defined the weekend: PinkPantheress, Addison Rae and Slayyyter.
For rising pop star Slayyyter, her performance Friday night was extra special. This marked her first time competing in the event in Indio, California. “It feels like a dream come true,” said Slayyyter, who released the rock-infused album America’s worst girl Just last month. “I’ve always wanted to go to Coachella, let alone a music festival, because I would see pictures on Tumblr when I was in high school. It feels very surreal.”
The singer had the crowd cheering with club-rocking hits like “Beat Up Chanels,” “Dance” and “Crank.” These still-new tunes were fertile ground for Slayyyter, and the festival served as a proving ground for her songs. “Coachella was the first time performing all these songs. It all felt incredible in a live setting,” Slayyyter said. “I was surprised how many people knew the lyrics to the non-single songs on the album. The crowd’s reaction to ‘Crank’ was probably my favorite moment on the whole album, though. Everyone was screaming: It felt like the room was shaking!”
What made Slayyyter’s Coachella debut even more personal was the fact that she hand-made her own performance outfits a week before the show. “I love being hands-on with clothes—I feel so comfortable every time I make my own clothes,” Slayyyter said. “I know what silhouettes and proportions I like.”
The Missouri-born star wanted to channel her typical look for her show—sexy, slightly millennial, with a retro feel. some Exquisite chaos. (It may seem like a paradox, but trust her—and us!—it’s not.) She styled a ruffled chiffon top with lace detailing, paired with denim shorts and western accessories, and a bedazzled studded trucker hat by “The Worst Girl at Coachella.” “It’s really fun for me to sit down and spend time creating something,” Slayyyter said. “It didn’t take me long – I started a few days ago, to be honest.”
