Coachella 2024 broadens its horizon, shining a spotlight on Asia's pop scene with ATEEZ, The Rose, 88rising, and other stellar acts

From captivating performances by YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM to the dynamic collaborations powered by 88rising Futures, Coachella 2024 in Indio showcased the vibrant essence of Asian pop music.

Traditionally, Coachella has relied on established partnerships to introduce the next big artist from Asia as it transforms the desert landscape into a musical oasis.

YG Entertainment, a prominent K-pop label, made its mark at Coachella by introducing hip-hop trio Epik High in 2016, followed by the sensational appearances of BLACKPINK in 2019 and 2023, where they headlined the event. Additionally, the long-standing boy band BIGBANG was slated for the 2020 Coachella before its unfortunate cancellation. Meanwhile, music and media entity 88rising has contributed to the festival's diverse lineup by featuring artists such as Jackson Wang from China in 2023, surprise guest Joji from Japan in 2022, and NIKI and Rich Brian from Indonesia in the same year. Furthermore, Korean indie-rock sensations like Hyukoh, electronic maestros like Peggy Gou, and even Japan's vocaloid scene, epitomized by Hatsune Miku's booking in 2020 and reappearance this year, have all brought a much-needed spectrum of representation to the Coachella stage

In 2024, Coachella embraced a diverse array of emerging artists from Asia, spanning various levels of experience, label affiliations, and cultural backgrounds. This inclusive approach marked a significant expansion across Asia's diverse pop landscapes, with many of these artists commanding dedicated fanbases known for their passionate support. By granting these artists a prominent platform akin to that of pop, rock, electronic, and Latin music, Coachella underscored its commitment to showcasing global talent and fostering cultural exchange on its influential stage.

From the energetic performances of ATEEZ, YOASOBI, The Rose, LE SSERAFIM, and ATARASHII GAKKO! to the electrifying fusion of cultures and unexpected guest appearances at the 88rising Futures showcase, Coachella 2024 showcased an eclectic lineup of Asian pop talent. With a diverse array of artists representing various genres and styles, it's evident that Coachella did their homework in curating this year's expanded spotlight on Asian pop music. Let's delve deeper into the artists who graced the stage and explore why Coachella 2024 stood out as a celebration of Asian musical diversity.

‍ATEEZ

This year's breakthrough act, ATEEZ, made history as the first K-pop boy group to grace the Coachella stage, delivering a mesmerizing performance that captivated audiences on Friday night. Their rebellious and cinematic flair was on full display, evident in the country-western themed set design and the daring move of members San and Mingi unbuttoning their jackets mid-performance, breaking away from conventional boy-band stereotypes. ATEEZ left an indelible mark with their Coachella debut, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation through enigmatic teasers hinting at new music and a potential future stadium tour, strategically shared both during the festival and across social media platforms. It was clear that every moment of their electrifying set was utilized to its fullest potential.

‍Xin Liu

Xin Liu not only dazzled audiences on the Mojave stage with her renowned intense and intricate choreography, accompanied by a sizable dance ensemble, but also radiated with a literal sparkle, adorned in glistening gold fragments embellishing her attire. Offstage, the Chinese sensation emerged as one of the most talked-about artists on social media, leveraging her Coachella performance to bolster her visibility in anticipation of forthcoming English music, marking an exciting new chapter in her career as the latest signee to 88rising.

‍ATARASHII GAKKO!

Fresh from their debut Pop Songs airplay hit with "Hello," ATARASHII GAKKO! showcased their diverse performance styles at Coachella. Their stage presence was dynamic, featuring gymnastic-like maneuvers transitioning into pyramid formations, accompanied by live taiko drums. Their attire seamlessly blended traditional and contemporary Japanese fashion, adding a unique visual flair to their set. Additionally, their charming interactions with the crowd were hailed as some of the most endearing across all genres, further cementing their appeal to audiences.

‍The Rose

The inclusion of The Rose in Coachella's lineup represented a significant milestone for the quartet, signaling their transition from Korea's pop scene to the independent route in collaboration with Transparent Arts. With their 2023 album "DUAL," which marked their debut on the Billboard 200 chart, The Rose showcased a blend of Coldplay-esque atmospheric hymns alongside their trademark intense on-stage energy. Their electrifying performances at Coachella elicited enthusiastic sing-alongs, particularly to anthems like "Back to Me," aided by dynamic backing LED screens displaying the lyrics.

‍YOASOBI

Building on the success of their international breakthrough track "Idol," which dominated the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart for seven consecutive weeks, YOASOBI made a memorable Coachella debut. Their performance on the Mojave stage showcased singer Ikuta Lilas's dynamic presence as she gracefully navigated the multilevel stage, always maintaining a connection with her producer-instrumentalist partner Ayase. Additionally, YOASOBI participated in the 88rising Futures showcase, where they brought ATARASHII GAKKO! onstage for a sensational finale, further solidifying their impact on the global stage.

‍Number_i, Jackson Wang & Xin Liu

One of the highlights of the 88rising Futures stage was the electrifying collaboration of talent from diverse backgrounds. Japanese singers Yūta Jingūji, Yuta Kishi, and Sho Hirano of the trio Number_i, alongside Hong Kong-born K-pop sensation Jackson Wang and Chinese star Xin Liu, converged their star power in the Mojave Tent for an unforgettable performance, likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans. Notably, Jackson Wang even joined Number_i on stage for their single "GOAT," teasing a potential global remix of their chart-topping hit on the Japan Hot 100.

‍Peggy Gou

Korean-born DJ-producer-singer Peggy Gou captivated her audience, which reportedly included BLACKPINK's Lisa, with her eclectic mix of dance and disco tunes in the Sahara Tent. Going beyond the norms of the EDM scene, Gou introduced her own troupe of dancers, who showcased a blend of voguing, whacking, and group choreography. Their gender-bending performance added a captivating visual dimension to Gou's already dynamic set, complementing the dazzling LED displays and further enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

‍LE SSERAFIM

With less than two years since their debut, girl group LE SSERAFIM brought their distinctive attitude-driven K-pop performance style to the Sahara stage, thrilling the audience with their Billboard Global 200 hit songs like "ANTIFRAGILE," "Smart," and "Unforgiven." Their performance featured a special appearance by legendary guitarist Nile Rodgers, adding an extra layer of excitement to their internationally eclectic sound, perfectly suited for the Coachella atmosphere. Additionally, the quintet surprised fans with the live debut of their new song "1-800-hot-n-fun," highlighting Coachella as a platform for artists to unveil musical surprises, with LE SSERAFIM being just one of the acts to showcase new music during the festival.

‍BIBI

Just hours before the 88rising Futures showcase, a thrilling last-minute surprise unfolded as BIBI took the stage at the Mojave Tent. The South Korean sensation wowed the crowd with her chart-topping hit "Bam Yang Gang" and treated fans to a special duet with Jackson Wang. Despite her brief appearance, BIBI's powerful performance left a lasting impact, sparking speculation that she may secure her own set for Coachella 2025.

‍Tiger JK & Yoon Mi-rae

Returning to the Coachella stage after their debut with 88rising in 2023, Korean hip-hop trailblazers Tiger JK and Yoonmirae delivered a revitalized performance alongside a fresh lineup of music and collaborators. Surprising the audience, the duo kicked off their set with a rendition of the Stray Kids song "Topline," which features Tiger JK, who affectionately dubbed the K-pop boy band "the beautiful group Stray Kids." Later in the performance, Xiu Lin joined the couple on stage to perform "Boom Tick Boom," a track co-written by the duo and produced by Tiger JK himself.

‍Awich

With ambitions set on the global stage, Japanese rapper Awich made her mark by holding her inaugural concert in Los Angeles merely days before gracing the 88rising Futures showcase. Demonstrating her versatility, Awich invited YOASOBI and ATARASHII GAKKO! to join her onstage, showcasing a blend of styles that could prove pivotal as she prepares to venture into English-language music in the future.

Source: billboard