It was the question everyone was asking when that iconic desert sunset poster finally dropped. Where is she? After Chappell Roan basically owned the summer of 2024, her absence from the Chappell Roan Coachella 2025 conversation—at least in an official capacity—sent shockwaves through the "Pink Pony Club" faithful. People expected her to be the sub-headliner. They expected a main stage "Femininomenon."
Instead, we got a lineup topped by Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think about. Just a year ago, Roan was playing the Gobi Tent to a crowd that was physically bursting out of the sides of the structure. That 2024 set wasn't just a concert; it was a shift in the tectonic plates of pop culture. So, why didn't she return for a victory lap in 2025? If you've been following her journey closely, the answer is actually more complicated than just "she wasn't booked."
The Chappell Roan Coachella 2025 Mystery Explained
The reality is that Chappell Roan's 2025 has been a year of massive highs and some pretty heavy personal reckonings. While rumors flew that she might be a surprise guest for someone like Charli XCX or Marina Diamandis, Chappell herself was navigating a schedule that she later described as "brutal."
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We have to look at the timeline. By the time April 2025 rolled around, Roan had already transitioned from a cult favorite to a Grammy-winning powerhouse. She was also dealing with the fallout of a massive rise to fame that, frankly, sounded exhausting. In a New Year's Eve newsletter to fans, she admitted she almost canceled her entire 2025 U.S. "Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things" tour because she didn't feel mentally healthy enough to push through.
Why she wasn't on the official bill:
- The "Visions of Damsels" Strategy: Instead of doing the standard festival circuit again, her team focused on a highly curated "mini-tour" in late 2025, hitting only New York, Kansas City, and Los Angeles.
- Burnout is Real: She’s been incredibly vocal about the "sick" feeling of doom-scrolling and the pressure of being a public figure. Skipping a high-stress Coachella booking might have been the smartest move for her longevity.
- Headliner or Nothing: After 2024, there was nowhere to go but the top. If the headlining slots were already locked in with legacy acts like Green Day, perhaps her team decided to wait for a year where she could claim the #1 spot.
What Her 2025 Setlists Actually Looked Like
Even though she didn't have her own stage at Coachella this year, she was busy dominating European festivals like Sziget and Reading & Leeds. If you’re wondering what a Chappell Roan Coachella 2025 set would have sounded like, we can look at her "Visions of Damsels" setlists for a pretty clear picture.
She wasn't just playing the hits. She was evolving.
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Typically, her 2025 shows opened with "Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl"—a high-energy statement that sets the tone immediately. But she also introduced "The Subway," a track that has become a staple of her live shows despite fans still begging for a studio release.
The 2025 Setlist Staples
- Femininomenon (usually the second song to keep the energy high)
- The Subway (the "unreleased" favorite)
- Barracuda (the Heart cover that proved she has the rock pipes to front a stadium band)
- Good Luck, Babe! (the mid-set emotional peak)
- Pink Pony Club (the inevitable, glitter-filled closer)
She also sprinkled in covers of Elton John’s "Your Song" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" at select dates, showing a softer, more theatrical side that feels very "Saturn Return" era.
The Impact of Her Absence
You could feel her ghost in the desert this year. During Charli XCX’s Saturday night set—which featured Lorde and Billie Eilish—the crowd was practically vibrating, waiting for Chappell to walk out. It didn't happen. She was spotted at the festival as a fan, though. There’s a video of her leaving Marina’s set, looking like just another person in the crowd (as much as a 6-foot-tall drag-inspired pop star can look "normal").
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That's the nuance people miss. Chappell Roan is trying to reclaim her humanity.
She told fans that 2026 is going to be the "year of taking care of myself." That tells us everything we need to know about why she didn't take the Coachella stage in 2025. Pushing through a headline-level performance when you're already feeling "unwell" is a recipe for a breakdown. By choosing to attend as a guest and focusing on her small, sold-out "pop-up" shows at places like Forest Hills Stadium and the Rose Bowl, she’s playing the long game.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for the Midwest Princess?
If you missed her in the desert, don't worry. The "Chappell Roan Coachella 2025" era was less about a performance and more about a transition. She’s already booked for Laneway in Australia and Lollapalooza in South America for early 2026.
What you should do now:
- Watch the Pro-Shots: Since there’s no 2025 Coachella livestream for her, go back and watch her 2024 Gobi set. It’s still the gold standard for how to break an artist in 45 minutes.
- Register for 2026: She’s using the "Fair AXS" system for most of her dates now to fight scalpers. If you want to see her in 2026, you have to be on those mailing lists early.
- Listen to "The Subway": Find the high-quality fan recordings from her New York or LA shows. It’s the clearest bridge between The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and whatever theatrical world she’s building next.
Chappell Roan isn't going anywhere. She’s just learning how to exist in a world that wants a piece of her every single second. Taking a year off from the biggest stage in the world might be the most "rockstar" thing she’s ever done.
Next Steps for Fans
Check her official website for 2026 international tour registrations and keep an eye on her "Visions of Damsels" merch drops, which have been selling out in minutes.