Is This Year’s Coachella the Most LGBTQ+ Friendly Yet? The Beaches Seem to Confirm.
Toronto’s beloved rock band, The Beaches, marked their inaugural appearance at Coachella this past weekend, and they didn’t just showcase their music – they brought a vibrant queer celebration with them. Fresh from dropping their latest single, “Last Girls At The Party,” featuring Australian alternative pop sensation G Flip, the band delivered an electrifying and intimate performance at the Gobi tent on Sunday.
“We’re exhausted, sweaty, and have kissed many girls – so, yeah, it’s been quite a weekend,” chuckled Leandra Earl during a chat with Gayety after their set. “I can confidently say it’s the most queer Coachella I’ve ever attended.” As a prominent advocate for queer representation in alternative rock, the band has found their voice and is thriving in the scorching desert environment.
The band’s latest track, “Last Girls At The Party,” has swiftly climbed the charts, debuting at No. 35 on Billboard Canada’s Modern Rock chart this week. Their Coachella performance stood out, particularly with G Flip joining them onstage to deliver the second verse, featuring the iconic line: “If you don’t think straight, it’s your lucky day, I’m open late.”
This lyrical content seamlessly resonated at an event where queerness is not merely tolerated but celebrated. Earl emphasized the sense of community at Coachella, highlighting the inclusivity and love that permeates the festival atmosphere.
G Flip not only collaborated on the new single but also returned for “Blame Brett,” The Beaches’ breakout viral hit from 2023, which propelled them to stardom. The song morphed from a heart-wrenching anthem into a moment of queer healing at Coachella, embellished by G Flip and an unexpected appearance from Canadian comedian Veronika Slowikowska in a fun TikTok backstage.
Lead singer Jordan Miller described the experience as a “full circle” moment, reflecting on the band’s longstanding dream of gracing the Coachella stage. She shared her efforts to savor the moment and ward off nerves, aided by a mushroom microdose that lifted the vibes.
Amidst the desert heat, leather pants, and mushroom-induced euphoria, The Beaches fully embraced the chaos, with Earl jesting about being the “last girl at Coachella,” a nod to their single’s title. With their album “No Hard Feelings” slated to release on August 29 and plans for exclusive invite-only DJ sets for dedicated fans, The Beaches are poised for a bustling summer ahead.
Returning for Coachella’s second weekend on April 20, the band aims to continue the party. As they navigate the upcoming whirlwind of events, The Beaches affirm their presence and passion for embracing the rainbow spectrum at this year’s perhaps most exuberantly queer Coachella to date.