[K-Exclusive]: Spotlight On K-Pop: Coachella 2024
Photo Credits: Coachella – Sam Balaban
Returning for its 23rd year, Coachella Music Festival took place April 12th to 14th, and 19th to 21st for its 2024 run. Boasting a unique lineup full of artists of various cultures and genres, this year’s Coachella lineup also included an impressive amount of acts hailing from South Korea. Performing acts featured ATEEZ on the Sahara Stage April 12th and 19th, LE SSERAFIM on the Sahara Stage April 13th and 20th, and The Rose on the Outdoor Theatre Stage April 14th and 21st.
Kicking off the weekend for K-pop fans was ATEEZ, with a historic performance as the first K-pop boy group to play at the famed festival (unless, of course, you count Epik High as a boy group!). The group’s hour-long set dove into their debut pirate lore, with a VCR introduction of the members and special stage props such as large Kraken tentacles. The set kicked off with “Say My Name,” “HALA HALA (Hearts Awakened, Live Alive),” and the crowd favorite “Geurrilla.” With fans, known as ATINY, having sprinted to the Sahara Stage as soon as the gates opened at 11am, the crowd was packed, and the fanchants of “break the walls!” could be heard all the way across the festival at the main Coachella Stage.
Photo Credits: Coachella – P. Rodriguez
The group continued on after brief introductions to perform their latest title track, “Crazy Form,” “ROCKY,” “The Real – Heung Version,” which featured lion dancers and ATEEZ flags being raised, “ARRIBA,” during which the group paused to introduce each member of their band before taking shots together on stage, “DJANGO,” and “BOUNCY (K-HOT CHILLI PEPPERS).” With powerful performance after powerful performance showcasing the eight members’ synchronized choreography, smooth rap flows, and perfectly-executed high notes, the sixty minute set ended with “WONDERLAND (Symphony No.9 “From The Wonderland”).” As the second to last artist to perform on the Sahara Stage for the evening, ATINY slowly trickled away to get ready for day two once the set was over, still reeling and discussing the amazing performance they just witnessed.
Photo Credits: Coachella – Julian Bajsel
LE SSERAFIM performed “Good Bones,” “ANTIFRAGILE,” “FEARLESS,” “The Great Mermaid,” unreleased song “1-800-hot-n-fun,” “UNFORGIVEN” with Nile Rogers, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s wife” English version, “Perfect Night,” “Smart,” latest title song “EASY,” and “Fire in the belly.” More on their set coming soon.
Photo Credits: Coachella – Ashley Osborn
The Rose performed “Eclipse,” “Shift,” “Lifeline,” “RED,” “Back to Me,” “Definition of ugly is,” “Alive,” “Cure,” “Sour,” “Cosmo,” and “Wonder.” More on their set coming soon.
Special thank you to the team at Coachella for allowing us to attend!
Written By Ephney Tsai & Kortney Kendall
Edited By Ephney Tsai
Comments
