NSYNC Joins Ariana Grande on Stage to Close Coachella Weekend One
INDIO (CNS) - The first weekend of the Coachella Music & Art Festival 2019 ended on a high note as headliner Ariana Grande was joined on stage by iconic boy band NSYNC, minus Justin Timberlake, before some 120,000 people began the exodus from the Empire Polo Field in Indio.
Grande opened her set with "God Is a Woman" followed by "Bad Idea" from her latest album.
Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick joined Grande on stage to perform "Tearin' Up My Heart."
"Thanks arianagrande for having us," Fatone tweeted after the set. "...was a great time and a chance to perform with my brothers once again."
Before Grande's performance, fellow Grammy-winner H.E.R. and flutist, Lizzo, as well as Khalid, Dillon Francis and Blood Orange took the stage.
The final night of the first weekend was a cherry on top of the music cake with performances from a broad spectrum of artists on Saturday and Sunday including Tame Impala, Billie Eilish, Kacey Musgraves, Childish Gambino, Janelle Monae and Bassnectar.
Weezer got help performing covers of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "No Scrubs" from the original artists, Tears for Fears and Chilli from TLC, respectively.
After enduring a weekend of crowds, concert-goers crowded streets and freeways leading out of Indio.
The majority of the traffic was expected to affect the 10 Freeway, and it was recommended from CalTrans officials to leave earlier in the day to avoid the brunt of the delays.
Officials also alerted the public to several significant road closures for the day:
-- Avenue 49 between Hjorth and Monroe streets;
-- Avenue 50 between Madison and Jackson streets;
-- Hjorth Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 50; and
-- Madison Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52
City officials recommended that north- and south-bound motorists use Washington, Jackson and Calhoun streets as well as Golf Center Parkway; while east-west travelers were advised to use Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue, Dr. Carreon Boulevard and Avenue 54.
Campers return to the venue Thursday morning for the second weekend edition of the 160-act festival.
The Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival began Oct. 9, 1999.