Charli XCX voicemail replaces feature during Djo’s Outside Lands set
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Charli XCX made a surprise cameo during Djo's set at Outside Lands 2026 in San Francisco on Saturday 8 August, appearing on screen to leave the singer a voicemail message that replaced his song's original spoken-word feature. Djo, whose real name is Joe Keery, performed his 2025 track "Charlie's Garden", which normally features a cameo from his Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton, but swapped it out live for the recorded message from Charli XCX, who told him she was "honoured" to learn he had written a song about her. Keery has previously praised Charli XCX's songwriting, telling NME in 2024 that he admires her ability to write songs about "specific" personal experiences, citing her track "Yuck" as an example.
The voicemail cameo was one of several Charli XCX appearances at the festival, where she also headlined with tracks from her new album "Music, Fashion, Film" alongside "Brat" favourites, and joined The Strokes on stage for "Take It Or Leave It". In the surrounding weeks she also performed at Lollapalooza, appeared with Lorde in Chicago for "Girl, So Confusing", and recorded a live session from Maida Vale. She is due to headline Reading & Leeds later this month before launching a North American arena tour with Underscores in September, and has also released a "B-sides Edition" of "Music, Fashion, Film" alongside an accompanying film.
- Charli XCX left Djo a surprise voicemail cameo during his Outside Lands set
- It replaced Charlie Heaton's original feature on "Charlie's Garden"
- Charli XCX also headlined the festival and joined The Strokes on stage
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Charli XCX and Djo (real name Joe Keery, best known for acting in Stranger Things) are both musicians who have crossed paths through their friendship and shared connections in the entertainment world. Djo's song "Charlie's Garden" originally featured a spoken-word part from his Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton, which he swapped out for a message from Charli XCX during a live performance.
The moment happened at Outside Lands, an annual music festival held in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, which in 2026 featured performances from both artists. Charli XCX has had a major year with her album "Brat" and its cultural impact, and continues to tour and headline festivals, including further UK and North American dates.
Cameos and in-joke moments like this have become a notable feature of festival culture, often shared widely on social media, as artists use them to surprise fans and highlight friendships within the music industry.
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Originally published by NME as “Watch Charli XCX leave Djo a voicemail during ‘Charlie’s Garden’ at Outside Lands 2026”.