Afrobeats sensation Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, sparked a flurry of mixed reactions online following his delayed appearance at the 2025 Coachella Festival.
Scheduled for a 45-minute set, the “Calm Down” singer reportedly showed up 30 minutes late. When he finally hit the stage, he started off with noticeably poor lip-syncing before transitioning into live renditions of fan favorites like “Calm Down.”
The performance took an unexpected turn when Rema abruptly switched songs mid-set, leaving many in the crowd puzzled. This led to a divided response on social media—some fans criticized him for his tardiness and shaky delivery, while others speculated technical or backstage issues may have affected his set.
One user commented, “The Rema set at Coachella is a disaster. 20 mins in and Rema is nowhere to be found. The DJ’s been hyping the crowd while the band just stares.” Another added, “Rema’s DJ’s set is fire, but this isn’t what we came for.”
Some, however, defended the singer, suggesting he was clearly struggling but pushing through. “You can tell something went wrong backstage. This isn’t him, but he’s trying,” a user shared.
Despite the rocky start, others praised his effort and the overall vibe, highlighting songs like “Azaman,” “Charm,” “DND,” and “Is It A Crime?” as high points. The Coachella Festival, held at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, continues over two weekends, April 11–13 and 18–20. For some fans, Rema’s performance still marked a triumphant debut despite the setbacks.
