At Coachella 2025, Deadmau5, performing as Testpilot with Zhu on the Quasar stage, delivered a set that ended in confusion. He appeared visibly intoxicated, slurring words and struggling to stay on his feet. The set was ultimately cut short after he stopped the music and was escorted off stage.
Viral Aftermath and a Blunt Response
Footage of the moment quickly circulated online, with clips showing Deadmau5 visibly struggling during his set. The unexpected turn left fans confused, and speculation around what had happened spread fast across social media.
The next morning, Deadmau5 responded on Instagram with a photo of a water bottle and a short caption: “I don’t remember a thing.” In the comments, he casually added, “Probably my last Coachella show”, leaving fans both shocked and sympathetic.
A Mix of Humor and Regret
Deadmau5 followed up with a photo of his cat, captioned: “even my cat is disappointed in me.” He thanked Zhu for sticking with him through the set and blamed whisky for the state he was in. He also mentioned plans to quit smoking and return to the studio for a reset.
Past Jabs Resurface
The incident sparked memories of Deadmau5’s 2024 mockery of Grimes, when he sampled her Coachella performance in his own set. Now, with his own misstep going viral, many fans called the moment full-circle. Some labeled it “bittersweet karma” — a reminder that things can shift quickly in the spotlight.
Looking Ahead
Despite everything, Deadmau5 is still booked across North America and Europe through late 2025.
Whether Coachella marks the end of an era or just a stumble in the road remains to be seen. For now, he’s hinted at change, and fans are waiting to see what comes next.