When No Doubt took the stage at Coachella 2024, it wasn’t just another reunion — it was a full-circle moment for one of the most important bands of the ’90s and early 2000s. Nearly a decade had passed since their last major live performance, and anticipation hung thick over the desert air. Fans old enough to remember Tragic Kingdom’s reign stood shoulder to shoulder with Gen Z kids raised on Gwen Stefani’s solo hits. Everyone was waiting to see if the spark — that mix of ska-punk rebellion, California cool, and pop finesse — was still alive.
Spoiler: it absolutely was.
From the moment the opening beat of “Hella Good” hit, it was clear that No Doubt hadn’t missed a step. The sound was massive, the energy pure joy, and Gwen Stefani — now in her fifties and somehow looking exactly the same as she did in 1996 — performed with a fire that put half the younger acts on the lineup to shame. Coachella 2024 became, for one glorious night, a ska-punk revival under the desert stars.
The Return of the Legends
The show began modestly on the B-stage, with a sleek video intro sampling “Rock Steady.” The crowd erupted as Tony Kanal’s signature bassline from “Hella Good” rolled in, signaling the band’s long-awaited return. Gwen strutted out, blonde hair high, abs gleaming under the stage lights, shouting “Let’s go, Coachella!” before launching into the funk-infused anthem. It was the perfect opener — propulsive, slick, and a reminder of how effortlessly No Doubt could merge rock and dance energy.
The quick instrumental tease of “Push and Shove” that followed acted as a bridge, a nod to their 2012 reunion album, before the lights shifted toward the main A-stage. The familiar guitar shimmer of “Sunday Morning” came next, and suddenly, it was 1997 again. Adrian Young, shirtless and grinning like a man half his age, attacked his drums with the same manic joy as ever. The entire field bounced to the rhythm as Gwen commanded every inch of the stage, spinning and shouting, “You make me feel so new!”
From there, they dove straight into “Ex-Girlfriend,” one of the night’s most cathartic singalongs. The jagged guitars, the rapid-fire vocals, the venom — it still hit hard. Stefani sang it like she meant every word, channeling that early-2000s heartbreak with a sly grin.
The Nostalgia Kicks In
When “It’s My Life” came around, the Talk Talk cover that became one of their biggest hits in the early 2000s, the entire crowd — including people who were probably toddlers when it first dropped — sang every word. It was a polished, confident performance, elevated by Tony Kanal’s tight bass groove and Tom Dumont’s understated guitar shimmer.
Then came the first big surprise: “Different People,” performed for the first time since 2009. The Tragic Kingdom deep cut sounded fresh and fiery, propelled by the band’s ska roots. Gwen bounced across the stage, skanking and laughing with the horn players like it was 1995 again. You could feel the nostalgia without it ever feeling tired — this was a band reconnecting with their DNA.
“Hey Baby” brought the dancehall energy, complete with flashing neon visuals and backup dancers channeling the early-2000s MTV era. The crowd loved it — the song might have been a lighter pop moment in their catalog, but live, it turned into a sweaty, pulsing celebration.
Then came a blast from the past — “Total Hate ’95,” played for the first time in over a decade. It was raw, scratchy, and furious, reminding everyone that No Doubt were a punk band before they were pop stars. The Coachella crowd, a sea of bucket hats and fringe, got a taste of the band’s scrappier days, and Gwen tore through the vocals with a grin that said she loved every second of it.
The Guest Moment Everyone Talked About
And then came that moment — “Bathwater,” featuring special guest Olivia Rodrigo. The crowd went berserk the second Olivia appeared. The collaboration felt perfectly symbolic: the reigning Gen Z pop queen sharing a mic with one of the women who paved the way for her. Their chemistry was electric — Olivia took the second verse with wide-eyed excitement, Gwen hyping her up as the two harmonized through the chorus. The song’s sultry horns and playful bounce fit both of them perfectly, and the crowd chanted their names long after the final note faded. It was one of those Coachella moments destined to be replayed endlessly online — a literal passing of the pop torch.
A Quick Detour: The Ska Spirit Returns
The band moved back to the B-stage for something truly unexpected — a live debut of Prince Buster’s ska classic “One Step Beyond.” It was a deep nod to the roots of their sound, and fans of their early years went wild. Tony Kanal’s bass was thick and bouncy, and Adrian Young absolutely owned the up-tempo beat.
They followed with “Simple Kind of Life,” one of Gwen’s most emotional and vulnerable songs. The crowd went quiet — just her voice, delicate and aching, echoing across the desert. You could see couples holding each other, friends swaying side by side. It was a beautiful, human moment — a reminder that beneath all the energy, No Doubt always had heart.
The Big Pop Finale
Returning to the A-stage, the reggae-tinged “Underneath It All” brought the groove back. Gwen’s voice was warm and soulful, perfectly blending with Tony’s dub basslines. The performance captured the essence of Rock Steady — cool, breezy, and effortlessly smooth.
Then came “Happy Now?” — a long-time fan favorite that hadn’t aged a day. Gwen spat out the lyrics with controlled fury, her voice layered with emotion. You could tell how much fun she was having — that mix of empowerment and nostalgia that defined the entire set.
The energy kicked into overdrive for “New,” their sleek, futuristic anthem from 1999’s Return of Saturn. Under swirling lights, the song’s angular guitar riffs cut through the air like electricity. Gwen leaned into the mic, shouting “Don’t let it go away!” as confetti shot into the crowd.
And then, the trifecta — the final three songs that reminded everyone exactly why No Doubt mattered.
“Just a Girl” exploded like a cannon. It was defiant, funny, and timeless. Gwen strutted around the stage, letting the crowd sing most of the verses, then shouted, “This one still means something!” before launching into the final chorus. The arena of voices — tens of thousands shouting “I’m just a girl!” — was deafening. The feminist anthem still hits as hard as ever, and Gwen owned it completely.
Then came “Don’t Speak,” the emotional centerpiece of the night. You could hear a pin drop during the opening guitar lines. Gwen’s delivery was heartbreaking but mature — not the wounded breakup song of her twenties, but a reflection on time and healing. The crowd swayed and sang every word. By the final chorus, even the band members looked emotional. It was the kind of shared catharsis that only music like this can deliver.
Finally, they closed with “Spiderwebs,” the song that started it all. Trumpets blared, drums pounded, and Gwen bounded across the stage, her energy still sky-high. Streamers shot into the sky as the band jammed through an extended outro. Gwen waved goodbye, shouting, “No Doubt forever!” before the lights dimmed and the crowd roared like the desert was on fire.
The Verdict
No Doubt’s Coachella 2024 reunion wasn’t just nostalgia bait — it was a reminder of how truly great they were, and still are. In an era where reunions often feel like cash grabs, this one had purpose and vitality. The band sounded tight, the vocals were flawless, and the setlist was a dream balance of deep cuts, hits, and surprises.
Gwen Stefani, still magnetic as ever, was the undeniable centerpiece — flipping between punk snarl and pop diva without breaking a sweat. Tony Kanal was all groove and grin, the heartbeat of the band. Tom Dumont’s crisp guitar work was the glue holding it all together, and Adrian Young’s drumming — shirtless, wild, joyous — was the exclamation mark.
They looked like they were genuinely having fun again — smiling, laughing, hugging between songs. After years apart, they didn’t just pick up where they left off; they sounded better. More focused, more mature, yet still bursting with that ska-punk spirit that made them impossible to categorize back in the ’90s.
The guest spot with Olivia Rodrigo perfectly bridged generations — a symbol that the band’s influence isn’t just locked in the past, but still shaping pop’s future. And the crowd’s response said it all: love, gratitude, and total admiration for a band that defined a whole era of California cool.
By the time the final horn riff of “Spiderwebs” echoed through the night, Coachella wasn’t Coachella anymore — it was 1996 all over again. And for those lucky enough to be there, it was one of those shows that reminded everyone why live music still matters.
No Doubt came, they conquered, and they proved that even after 30 years, they’re still the real deal.
Setlist – No Doubt at Coachella 2024
B-Stage:
-
Intro (from Rock Steady)
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Hella Good
-
Push and Shove (instrumental only; shortened)
A-Stage:
4. Sunday Morning
5. Ex-Girlfriend
6. It’s My Life (Talk Talk cover)
7. Different People (first time since 2009)
8. Hey Baby
9. Total Hate ’95 (first time since 2012)
10. Bathwater (with Olivia Rodrigo)
B-Stage:
11. One Step Beyond (Prince Buster cover; live debut)
12. Simple Kind of Life
A-Stage:
13. Underneath It All
14. Happy Now?
15. New
16. Just a Girl
17. Don’t Speak
18. Spiderwebs
Final Thoughts
No Doubt’s Coachella 2024 performance wasn’t just a reunion — it was a reclamation. They reminded the world that ska, punk, and pop can live side by side when played with heart. For two hours in the desert, they made time stand still.
Grade: A
The Videos
Hella Good [0:00]
Sunday Morning [5:15]
Ex-Girlfriend [10:39]
It’s My Life [14:39]
Different People [19:35]
Hey Baby [24:34]
Total Hate [28:31]
Bathwater [33:07]
One Step Beyond [37:47]
Simple Kind of Life [41:16]
Underneath It All [45:41]
Happy Now? [51:09]
New [55:44]
Just a Girl [1:01:16]
Don’t Speak [1:08:50]
Spiderwebs [1:14:10]