INDIO, California -- Stromae, the flamboyant Belgian artist who is sweeping up fans worldwide, surprised Coachella attendees at one of the festival's smaller stages over the weekend by bringing Kanye West on stage for a guest appearance.
The rising star welcomed West's support with gangly open arms, but Stromae's captivating stage presence -- accentuated by his theatrical dance movements that resemble someone with impossibly pliable muscles doing yoga -- was enough to win over the sweaty crowd.
Although many people in the audience couldn't understand Stromae's French lyrics, the 30-year-old's performance reminded everyone that music is universal, despite language barriers.
"Music is more than words" he told Mashable before his set. "It's a visual experience, too, and people really feel my music because of the way I move and put on a show."
[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/stromae-pose.jpg" caption=""Music is more than words," Stromae, 30, told Mashable at Coachella on April 19, 2015." credit="Mashable" alt="stromae-pose"]
Fast-forward to 2:55 in the Coachella video, below, to see Stromae's dramatic dancing. At the 3:13 mark, the crowd erupts, as West emerges out of nowhere.
Before performing at Coachella, Stromae -- whose viral international hit "Papaoutai" has soared to No. 1 on iTunes in 18 countries -- had already earned critical praise from The New York Times, Billboard, Esquire, NPR, Spin and The Associated Press.
Translated, "Papaoutai" means "Dad, where are you?" The song and video reference absent fathers, an experience Stromae lived through after his dad died in the Rwandan Genocide.
He gives an even better glimpse at his performance style in this video for "Tous Les Mêmes":
When he performs "Tous Les Mêmes," Stromae wears one earring and applies lipstick to only one side of his lips, much like how he's half-dressed as a woman in the music video from 2013.
April seems to be Stromae's breakout month. He made his U.S. festival debut at South by Southwest. Then came two weekends entertaining new and old fans at Coachella. Next, Stromae will continue his U.S. tour before closing out his stateside run at New York City's Madison Square Garden.
April kicked off with the premiere of his "Carmen" music video, which features an animated Stromae. It explores the dark side of social media.
You don't need to look any further than tweets from Coachella folks to know Stromae is dominating this year, with no signs of slowing down:
Stuff I learned at Coachella : Stromae is utterly incredible. Wonderfully committed performance.— Madeon (@madeon) April 20, 2015
Stromae ran away with Coachella. Hands down the best set. Theatrical, tightly knit, emotional. He's got next.— Rafael Balbi (@justbalbi) April 21, 2015
It's safe to say @Stromae was my favorite set I have seen at Coachella in the 3 years I have gone!— Emmeline G. (@emme_gh) April 21, 2015
Shoutout to @Stromae for having the best set at Coachella. The energy was insane and he brought out Kanye — Luis (@ZeeLuis) April 21, 2015
So I went to coachella both weekends and I have to say my favorite performer was definitely Stromae— Samori Joseph (@Samorij) April 21, 2015
I had no idea who you were before your Coachella set. @Stromae best solo performance I've seen live. Really good music!— Asshole Jones (@herbivore_DUKE) April 21, 2015
Little late but @Stromae's coachella performance was one of the best & my talented things I've ever seen. & I didn't know a word he said lol— Jena Luckman (@JenaLuckman) April 21, 2015
Hey #Coachella! If you're at @Stromae right now, you're in the presence of brilliance.— Republic Records (@RepublicRecords) April 20, 2015
THE FUCKING BEST@Stromae Carmen Live From Coachella, April 13, 2015 http://t.co/i5koI1n1kM— Jessie Lee (@je0001) April 21, 2015
@Stromae best set of @coachella by a longshot #genius #inspired pic.twitter.com/GoIFU4Q1va— AYIITI (@AYIITI) April 20, 2015
BONUS: Børns handed out pill bottles at his concert and then this happened