Day Zero at Coachella 2025: Chris Lake Makes History on a Thursday Night

By Mark Miller, Coachella Valley Local News Contributor

Indio, CA (April 11, 2025) – Coachella made history last night, April 10, by hosting its first-ever major Day Zero event – a full-blown Thursday night concert exclusively for campers. British DJ Chris Lake headlined the inaugural Day Zero party, transforming a quiet setup evening into an electrifying kickoff for Weekend 1. This marked the first time in Coachella’s 24-year history that a prominent artist performed on the festival grounds before Friday’s official start. Below, we dive into how Chris Lake’s trailblazing set came to be, what the new campground venue felt like, and why this moment matters for Coachella and festival culture.

Coachella Launches “Day Zero” – A New Tradition for Campers

For longtime Coachella-goers, Thursday (nicknamed “Day 0”) has traditionally been a day for arrival, pitching tents, and casually mingling under the desert sun. There might be a few DJ sets at a silent disco or campsite games, but nothing on the scale of the festival’s main days. That changed in 2025. When Chris Lake was announced as an exceptional Thursday night performer on the brand-new Desert Sky stage in the campgrounds, Coachella’s usual pre-festival evening suddenly became an official event. The festival’s organizers, Goldenvoice, effectively added an extra night of music for those staying on-site – a move that had campers buzzing with anticipation.

Lake’s Thursday set gave Day Zero a whole new meaning. Instead of just a mellow night of meeting your camping neighbors, attendees got an entire production show before the gates even opened Friday. In other words, Coachella officially embraced Day Zero as part of the festival experience, making this the first year a musician played the campground for Day Zero festivities.

Local fans and first-timers alike recognized the significance. The excitement was palpable as thousands of campers realized they were witnessing the birth of a new tradition. (It’s worth noting that Weekend 2 campers will get their own Day Zero show with DJ Disco Dom next Thursday, indicating this wasn’t a one-off experiment but potentially a new Coachella staple.)

Meet the Headliner: Chris Lake’s Rise in Electronic Music

Who better to christen this new chapter than Chris Lake? An electronic music scene veteran, Lake is a Grammy-nominated DJ/producer and a house music heavyweight known for igniting dance floors worldwide. Hailing originally from England, the 42-year-old artist has recently been based in Los Angeles and has cultivated a strong following in Southern California’s dance community. He first burst onto the scene with the 2006 club hit “Changes” and has since notched several Billboard dance chart-toppers and a platinum record.

Lake’s resume also includes founding his record imprint (Black Book Records) and collaborating on buzzy projects like Under Construction (with Fisher) and Anti Up (with Chris Lorenzo). Simply put, he’s one of electronic music’s most respected figures.

Crucially for Coachella fans, Chris Lake is no stranger to the festival itself. Attendees joke that “he always seems to show up” – whether it’s an official set or a surprise guest appearance. By selecting Lake as the first-ever Day Zero headliner, Coachella tapped into an artist who bridges mainstream appeal and underground credibility.

Lake seemed as excited and curious as the fans about this unique gig. In an Instagram video teaser en route to Indio, he called it “a first-of-its-kind performance for the campers only” and hinted at surprises in store. Backstage just minutes before showtime, the DJ was still finalizing tracks on his USB drives, admitting he didn’t know what to expect from the unprecedented setting. That mix of spontaneity and confidence is trademark Chris Lake – and it set the stage for a remarkable night.

The Desert Sky Stage: A New Playground in the Campgrounds

Coachella built an entirely new concert venue in the campgrounds to host a performance of this caliber. Enter the Desert Sky stage— a massive circus-like tent in the middle of the camping area. This isn’t a small side setup; the structure is large and tall, resembling one of the festival’s main tents. It has a circular footprint, professional light, and sound rig visible from afar. Think of it as a mini-festival hub within the campgrounds.

Surrounding the Desert Sky tent was a lively concourse of amenities, making the area feel like a festival-within-a-festival. Around 25 food and drink vendors were set up nearby, offering everything from late-night tacos and pizza to cold brew and smoothies. It was a camper’s dream: you could grab dinner or a midnight snack, hit the bar tent for a local craft beer, and then wander straight into a concert – all without ever leaving the camping zone.

The infrastructure impressed many seasoned festival-goers. Ample restrooms and water refill stations were added to support the influx of people in this area, and the lighting and sound were on par with any official stage. The production quality felt comparable to anyone who danced at Coachella’s Sahara Tent or Yuma stage.

 

An Unforgettable Night: Perfect Weather, Vibrant Vibes, and Chris Lake’s Magic

If there were any doubts about Thursday being “too early” to party, they evaporated once the music kicked in. The weather was a perfect 10/10 – a balmy desert evening with a light breeze under the stars.

From the moment Lake dropped his first beat, the vibe inside Desert Sky was electric. The atmosphere combined the giddy freedom of a campground party with the awe-inspiring production of a Coachella headliner set. Inflatable flamingos bounced above the crowd, and flags from various campsites waved proudly, giving the scene a playful touch amidst the pulsing lights.

Some festival-goers treated Day Zero as a bonus costume day – we saw people debuting complete festival outfits usually reserved for Friday. Others embraced the impromptu nature of it all, rocking casual hoodies or even pajamas, having not bothered to change after the long check-in day. This mix of glam and cozy created a uniquely laid-back but celebratory mood.

As Chris Lake built up his set, the energy only grew. With each thundering bass drop, a sea of hands shot up instinctively. The crowd size was impressive, easily numbering several thousand. Yet because this was a campers-only event, it also felt intimate – a gathering of the truly dedicated.

Chris Lake’s DJ set was a masterclass in house music. He seamlessly blended his well-known bangers with fresh, unreleased material. In a special treat, he debuted tracks from his upcoming album Chemistry during the set, giving campers an exclusive first listen to new music months before its official release.

Why It Matters: A Historic Moment for Coachella and Festival Culture

Coachella’s Day Zero debut wasn’t just another fun night – it signified a bold shift in festival programming. This moment is worth noting in the history books for the Coachella Valley and music fans. By extending the festival experience to Thursday, Coachella is expanding the boundaries of what a music festival can be.

Historically, Coachella has been an innovator in festival culture – remember, it was one of the first U.S. festivals to go two weekends, and it consistently pushes experiential elements like art installations and diverse food lineups. With Day Zero, Coachella is once again setting a trend. It elevates the camping experience from a convenience to a can’t-miss part of the event.

Most importantly, memories were made. Attendees will discuss “where they were on Day Zero” for years. Chris Lake’s name will go down as the artist who helped inaugurate this new era. In the end, Coachella’s Day Zero debut blended the joy of discovery with the camaraderie of the camping community, all under a flawless desert night sky. It felt like a celebration of Coachella’s past and future—honoring the dedicated fans while paving the way for new traditions.