Canadian DJ and producer Deadmau5, known off-stage as Joel Zimmerman, has publicly apologized after getting blackout drunk during his Coachella 2025 set. Performing alongside ZHU under their collaborative alias TESTPILOT, Zimmerman admitted he has no recollection of the night, calling the experience a low point in his festival career.
TESTPILOT’s Coachella Set Ends in Chaos
On Friday, April 18, Deadmau5 and ZHU took the stage at Coachella’s Quasar stage, a platform dedicated to electronic music that made its debut just last year. Their back-to-back set quickly went viral, not just for the music, but for the wild antics that unfolded.
Clips posted to social media show the duo taking shots on stage, with Zimmerman later stumbling, slurring his words into the mic, and playfully spraying ZHU with silly string. The unexpected behavior sparked a flurry of reactions from fans and fellow artists.
Deadmau5: “I Don’t Remember a Thing”
The following day, Zimmerman took to Instagram to reflect on the chaotic performance. “I don’t remember a thing from last night,” he wrote, humorously adding, “But I don’t think I had a cig? So… that’s good, I guess?”
He also hinted that this might mark his final appearance at Coachella: “That’s probably my last Coachella show.”
A Public Apology to Fans
Later that same day, Deadmau5 shared a more serious apology: “Man, even my cat is disappointed in me. Though it could be argued she always has been. Sorry about last night. Lol.”
He praised ZHU for handling the situation with grace and humor. “TO BE FAIR, I felt the first 3/4 was great! Huge shout out to ZHU for introducing me to whisky and carrying my dumb ass till the bitter end.”
Zimmerman ended his post with a hopeful note: “Lemme quit smoking, do some personal resetting here at home, find my spirit animal, work on some new music, and come back better.”
Fans React with Concern and Support
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing concern for Zimmerman’s health and well-being, while others offered support and called for understanding.
While Coachella is known for high-energy performances and surprises, Deadmau5’s blackout moment underscores the pressures of performing at one of the world’s biggest music festivals.