Remember When Music Was Fun? Coachella 2025 Does
This is for the people who just cannot stop hating. I know that sounds cringe. But seriously, that’s who I’m talking to here. The people who seem completely incapable of forming even one positive thought about things that should bring us joy. The ones who zero in on the flaws, the missteps, the things they don’t understand, and just... stay there.
From here on out, I’m going to call them “the comment section.” Because that’s exactly what they are—not an audience (they’re not actually showing up, buying tickets, or supporting in any real way), and definitely not fans. Fans don’t spend their energy tearing down the very artists they claim to care about.
I’ve been online for years—reading comments, engaging with content, just enjoying the internet as a place to connect with art and pop culture that genuinely excites me. But in the last, I’d say, 3 to 5 years? Something has shifted. The comment section has gotten darker. Meaner. More exhausting. I’ve had these thoughts swirling in my head for a while now, but what finally pushed me to sit down and write was after going to Coachella for the first time this year.
Coachella was amazing. Like, actually amazing. It felt like we were witnessing so many iconic performances—genuine pop culture moments unfolding in real time. It was freeing. Empowering, even. There was this quiet comfort in knowing we were in good hands with Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, and so many others. You could just feel that we were about to be given something unforgettable—and we were.
Even the conversations I overheard from strangers throughout the weekend gave me hope. Hope that maybe there really are other people out there who feel the same way I do—people who are still excited about art, music, and performance. I’d hear girls discussing their schedules:
“Okay we have to make sure we get to the stage before Charli to get a good spot.”
“Omg Gaga is going to be INSANE, I can’t wait.”
“We have to go see Meg and then run to Zedd,” one group said as they literally frolicked by holding hands.
It was so pure. So joyful. Just people genuinely excited to see artists who have been pouring their hearts out through their music, visuals, and performances. But now, a week out from the festival—I’m already seeing it. The comment section creeping back in.
Comparisons. Nitpicking. Backhanded compliments. Gaga being picked apart and compared to Beyoncé. Charli getting clowned for her performance style. Post Malone being dragged for not sounding like everyone else. Like… did we even go to the same show?
Gaga delivered a headlining set that will go down in history—artistic, intentional, conceptual. The visuals, the choreography, the storytelling. Every moment was crafted. Every costume change, every set piece, every encore detail… she gagged us.
Charli brought out Billie Eilish, Lorde, Troye Sivan. Meg brought out Ciara, Victoria Monét, Queen Latifah! It was joy. It was culture. It was everything.
And yet, here we are again. I saw someone post about how Coachella has “lost its soul” or whatever—and I just have to ask: can we not appreciate something for being incredible anymore? Do we always have to dissect and critique and compare until there’s nothing left but negativity?
It feels like no one is ever satisfied. Like we’ve been collectively trained to see the flaw first. And I get it—this is how the internet has felt for the past 20 years. But it’s gotten louder. And meaner. And harder to ignore.
Let me be clear: I know this might not be everyone’s experience. But for me—a gay guy working from home in New York City—yeah, I’m on my phone. I’m online. A lot.
And I love the comedy of comment sections. I love the chaos, the random connections, the inside jokes. The weird sense of community that can spark from one perfect line under a viral post. But lately? It feels like the comedy is being drowned out. The joy is fading. And what’s taking over is this really aggressive, bitter energy that just… sucks.
Again, this is just my experience, my algorithm. I’m actively trying to shift what I engage with—lean into what brings me joy, laugh a little, enjoy the moment, and then move on. Because it really can be that simple. It’s our time. Our phones. Why are we choosing to spend it in a pit of pointless, miserable rabbit holes?
I’ve caught myself repeating the same thing to a lot of people lately: “It’s not that deep.” Especially when it comes to pop music. Pop stars. Fame. If you’ve read literally anything I’ve written before or had even one conversation with me, you know I love pop culture. I love the spectacle, the storytelling, the art. It's a way to escape, to get inspired by people who are putting something out into the world just for us to enjoy.
And look—I do appreciate conversation and critique. I know that one of the biggest signs of great art is that it makes people talk. But there’s a difference between conversation and completely writing something off the second it drops. That’s the part that gets to me. Why are we doing that? Why are some people so quick to dismiss something entirely?
Like okay… if you want to have a take, fine. But do your research. Watch the performances. Listen to the music. Learn a little about the artist or the context of the project. Then if you still want to share your opinion, sure. But even then—why preach about hating a pop star like it’s a noble cause? It’s still annoying. There’s still no need!
The comment section has turned into a demanding kitchen with too many cooks in it that have never even made a dish. Like the hungry rats in Ratatouille, sniffing around, pretending they know what to do when they wouldn’t know the first thing about pulling hair. It’s exhausting, isn’t it? Everyone with an opinion but no real understanding of the work behind it.
Look, we’re all allowed to have our preferences. But we’re also missing something. Right now, in front of us, we have some of the most iconic and boundary-pushing pop music and performances. These aren’t just “songs.” These are career-defining moments, artistic statements, the moments that are shaping pop culture—whether you like the artist or not. And yet, so many people can’t help but tear it down before they even try to savor it.
In the past year alone, pop music has given us a flood of undeniable talent and cultural moments that deserve attention. So, regardless of where you stand in the fan-hater divide, these women have not stopped working. They’ve been serving, creating, breaking records, and making moments. And somehow, people still find a way to scroll past like it’s nothing.
Chappell Roan built a queer pop empire from scratch, brought interactive choreo back into the mainstream, won Best New Artist at the VMAs, and turned every festival stage into her own personal playground. Sabrina Carpenter? Released hit after hit after hit, a #1 album, two Grammys, and the kind of career momentum most people only dream about. Meanwhile, Tate McCrae was out here doing Olympic-level choreography in stilettos, going viral every time she even blinked, and reminding us that performance is the art.
Beyoncé gave us a country album—and made it iconic. Cowboy Carter topped charts, broke boundaries, and somehow made Christmas Day feel like the Super Bowl. Ariana Grande came back with a brand-new album and an Oscar nom. Charli XCX launched us into Brat Summer with a viral dance, a remix album, sweat and poppers filled tour with Troye Sivan, and a legendary Coachella set. Addison Rae said, “You will take me seriously,” and dropped a string of high-concept, hyperpop girlie bangers complete with Arca, Charli, and her own aesthetic universe.
And Doechii? She gave us one of the most unique rap albums of the year, won a Grammy, toured the world, and reminded everyone why she’s in a league of her own. Her visuals? Next level. Her performances? Unmatched. Want more? Lady Gaga, FKA Twigs, SZA, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Kesha, Camilla Cabello, Renee Rapp, Miley Cyrus, Lisa, Jennie, Ethel Cain, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Tyla and MORE – all released incredible music this past year.
How else can I make it clear that we are literally living through some of the most iconic pop culture moments right now? Like—not in retrospect, not someday in a documentary—this is it. We’re in the thick of it.
I know I’m not some big-time music critic. I’m not writing this from a glossy magazine office or some high-rise media building. I’m just a pop fan with a keyboard and a lot of feelings. This little blog probably won’t change the course of the internet, and that’s fine. But if even a few of the girlies and gays reading this take a second to pause and appreciate what we’re witnessing? That’s enough for me.
Because truly—how lucky are we? These women are not letting up. Every week it feels like there’s a new single, a new performance, a new tour announcement, a new visual that makes us scream, cry, or hit replay 20 times in a row. We’re living in a time where pop culture is thriving—and half the internet is too busy fighting to even notice.
But you? You get it. Or at least, I hope you’re starting to. And if nothing else, think about that kid version of you. The one burning CDs on LimeWire and syncing iPod Nanos. The one who stayed up to watch award shows, learned every lyric, and every dance move from a pixelated YouTube video. That kid would LOSE THEIR MIND if they knew what was coming. That we’d be here—watching our faves thrive, evolve, and drop masterpiece after masterpiece in real time.
So yeah. Let’s not miss it. Let’s not let the noise drown out the joy. Let’s celebrate. Let’s scream about it. Let’s romanticize the moment. Because pop is alive and well—and we’re lucky as hell to be here while it’s happening.
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