Pop icon Charli XCX has signalled the possibility of fresh creative ventures ahead, sparking widespread anticipation among fans and the music community. The British artist, aged 32, took to Instagram on Sunday to post a series of images and videos from her recent appearances at the Coachella music festival, accompanied by the suggestive caption “coming soon…”.
Within the carousel post, one striking photograph captured Charli performing on stage, with the screen behind her displaying the message: “Maybe it’s time for a different kind of summer?” This phrase echoes last year’s “Brat summer” cultural movement, a trend that was ignited by her critically acclaimed album, Brat.
The post included shots of notable personalities at Coachella, such as pop star Addison Rae and American singer The Dare, reflecting the vibrant atmosphere of the festival where Charli performed across both weekends. During her sets, she attracted considerable attention when she brought out fellow singers Troye Sivan and Lorde for guest appearances, enhancing the event’s buzz.
In the final video shared, Charli XCX is seen standing centre-stage, with on-screen text enigmatically pondering the future of the “Brat summer” era: “Does this mean that brat summer is finally over????? IDK? maybe? maybe it’s time for a different kind of brat summer? maybe it’s time for me to let go? maybe it’s time to make way for….” This teaser has led to considerable speculation regarding the direction her music and artistic expression might take next.
The timing of this post follows a notable moment at Coachella where Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of the rock band Green Day, concluded their headline performance wearing a bright green Brat cap, signalling cross-genre recognition of the cultural wave Charli’s work has inspired.
Charli XCX’s influence peaked last year at the 2025 Brit Awards, where she was honoured in five categories. Notably, she claimed the coveted Album of the Year award for Brat, alongside Artist of the Year, Dance Act, Song of the Year for “Guess” featuring US superstar Billie Eilish, and Songwriter of the Year.
Since its release in June 2024, Brat achieved significant commercial success, ascending the charts and cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon. The “Brat summer” trend that emerged from the album celebrated themes of self-love, positive body image, and a bold, sultry style ethos. Indeed, the term “Brat” was recognised as the 2024 Collins Word of the Year, defined as “characterised by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.”
Beyond Brat, Charli XCX’s career includes chart-topping hits such as “I Love It” alongside Icona Pop and multiple number one albums, with Brat and Crash marking key achievements in her extensive discography.
The Irish News (Belfast) is reporting this development as a significant moment in Charli XCX’s evolving career, noting that fans and critics alike are eager to see what this “different kind of summer” might entail for the influential artist.
Source: Noah Wire Services