Rema Reclaims The Stage at Coachella During Second Weekend
After a faltering debut at Coachella’s opening weekend, Nigerian Afrobeats star Rema returned to the desert with renewed energy. Thus, he reclaimed the stage during his Sunday evening slot on weekend two.
Rema, born Divine Ikubor, faced a cascade of technical issues during the first. His DJ and live band were stranded on stage for over 30 minutes as crew members scrambled behind the scenes. When Rema finally appeared, he was met with malfunctioning in-ear monitors and mic troubles. He was forced to lean heavily on backing tracks before being cut short by the festival’s rigid set times.
But on Sunday, the 24-year-old star seized his shot at redemption. Rema delivered a performance that was nothing short of cinematic.
After the DJ primed the crowd with Davido’s infectious “Unavailable,” Rema emerged atop a towering, mountain-like structure. Aside from it, with a sword in hand, looking like an Afrobeats warrior. The dramatic entrance, absent from weekend one, likely due to time constraints, set the tone. Opening with “Amazan” and “Yayo,” Rema commanded attention from the jump, his signature blend of Afrobeats, trap, and global pop captivating the crowd under the Indio sky.
Rema and Coachella Full-Set
What followed was a vibrant celebration of his growing discography. From the sultry grooves of “Calm Down” and “Soundgasm” to the rhythmic pulse of “Charm” and “Bout U,” Rema delivered hit after hit with a precision and confidence that underscored why he’s become one of Afrobeats’ most exciting exports.
“You know what? I think it’s time for the beautiful girls to dance tonight,” he told the crowd, introducing his verse from Darkoo’s “Favorite Girl.” With charismatic stage presence and smooth choreography, Rema glided across the stage, flanked by backing vocalists who brought texture and soul to renditions of “HEHEHE” and the crowd favorite “Ozeba,” which closed the set on a triumphant note.
Weekend one may have been a misstep, but it wasn’t due to a lack of preparation. According to representatives for the artist, Rema arrived at the festival grounds two hours ahead of schedule. Also, he completed a sound check without issue. But just 30 minutes before showtime, things unraveled. His in-ear monitors failed to fit; his mic stopped functioning properly. So, once he was on stage, he was unable to hear his band — and they couldn’t hear him.
Despite that setback, Rema returned determined not to let technical faults define his Coachella story. His weekend two performance not only redeemed the first attempt but elevated it, offering a bold and theatrical reminder of the global force Afrobeats has become — and the star power Rema brings to the genre.
As one of the final performances of Coachella 2025, Rema didn’t just show up — he made a statement. And this time, the message came through loud and clear.
