Describing Jon Batiste’s uplifting appearance at Coachella’s Outdoor Theatre in just a few words is nearly impossible—much like trying to label the festival itself. Even by Coachella standards, where diversity and originality are the baseline, the multi-Grammy-winning artist stood out for the sheer range and nuance of his performance. From the first moments, the show felt expansive, joyful, and intentional—built to move between genres, moods, and dynamics without ever losing momentum.
Batiste opened with “Tell The Truth,” then shifted effortlessly into funk-driven moments like “Freedom,” and the spiritually tinged “Butterfly.” With his band and special guests, he guided the crowd through a full musical odyssey that included everything from Beatles covers to a hometown classic, “When The Saints Go Marching In.” That musical breadth was reflected visually as well: the stage world felt lived-in and symbolic, featuring a tree at center stage, a clothesline to the left, a recording studio to the right, and a utility pole thrown in for good measure.
Accenting those inspired set pieces—and matching the captivating quality of Batiste’s presence—was a lighting design by Shepherd Lowrey featuring 12 CHAUVET Professional Color STRIKE M motorized strobe washes supplied by Ariel Afar and the SLX Productions team. Lowrey described the concept as “the tree of life,” using light like roots carrying current through the space, while the Color STRIKE Ms acted as “candy light”—delicious accents used freely to punctuate the music with stabs of white, chase effects, and bold hits that locked the visuals to the rhythm for a fully immersive experience.
