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Art & Culture

Frank Ocean’s Enigmatic Coachella Performance: Anticipation and Disappointment

  • Craig Miller
  • |
  • April 19, 2023
  • |
  • 3 minute read
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Frank Ocean’s Enigmatic Coachella Performance: Anticipation and Disappointment
Key Takeaways
  • Frank Ocean's return to the stage at Coachella after a six-year hiatus was highly anticipated, but concerns grew when it was announced that his set would not be live-streamed on YouTube like the rest of the festival.
  • The delayed start of Ocean's performance, caused by an ankle injury, and the inclusion of a 6-song DJ set in the middle of his performance left fans confused and disappointed.
  • Despite some emotional and heartfelt moments, the overall lackluster performance left fans feeling let down and expressing their disappointment on social media platforms.
  • Frank Ocean is slated to perform again at Coachella's second weekend, but fans remain uncertain about what to expect from the artist after his less-than-grand return.

 

After a six-year hiatus, Frank Ocean made his highly anticipated return to the stage at Coachella, a performance that had fans excited and eager for what the elusive artist had in store.

Ocean’s last live performance was in 2017, and he was originally scheduled to headline the festival in 2020 before the pandemic forced its rescheduling.

The Build-Up and Growing Concerns

Ocean’s performance was one of the most awaited sets at this year’s festival. However, fans experienced growing concerns when it was announced that his set would not be live-streamed on YouTube, like the rest of the festival.

With no livestream, fans at home were left disappointed, unable to witness Ocean’s rare performance.

The Delayed Start and Ankle Injury

Fans at the festival were not spared from disappointment either.

Scheduled to begin at 10:05 PM, Ocean’s performance was delayed by an hour, causing some fans to leave the venue instead of waiting.

A source later revealed that an ankle injury sustained during on-site rehearsals led to last-minute adjustments in Ocean’s performance.

This injury explained why Ocean spent most of the time sitting down during his set, donning slippers on stage.

The Unconventional Performance

Ocean’s performance turned out to be a mix of emotional and baffling moments.

With long pauses between songs and minimal interaction with the audience, fans were left puzzled.

Additionally, a 6-song DJ set by Crystall Mess was unexpectedly dropped in the middle of Ocean’s performance, further confusing the audience.

Ocean eventually opened up, sharing a heartfelt memory about attending Coachella with his late brother, Ryan Breaux.

He also explained his decision to include the club interlude during his set, stating that it was a way to take the attention off of him and bring a bit of his weekly practice with Homer Radio to the festival.

Ocean’s performance was one of the most awaited sets at this year’s festival. However, fans experienced growing concerns when it was announced that his set would not be live-streamed on YouTube, like the rest of the festival.

The Abrupt End

Despite the set running 15 minutes longer than planned, Ocean’s performance was cut short due to Coachella’s midnight curfew on Sundays.

As the stage screen went black, fans chanted for one more song, but Ocean left the stage without further ado.

Fan Reactions: Disappointment and Heartbreak

The reactions to Frank Ocean’s first concert in six years were a mixture of disappointment, confusion, and heartbreak.

Fans expressed their dismay on social media platforms like TikTok, commenting on the unconventional stage setup, the peculiar DJ interlude, and the overall lackluster performance.

Some fans even left the festival early, feeling let down by Ocean’s performance after having high expectations due to his long absence from the stage.

Looking Ahead: Uncertainty Remains

Despite the mixed reactions to his performance, Frank Ocean is still slated to perform at Coachella’s second weekend on April 23.

However, fans remain uncertain about what to expect from the musician after his less-than-grand return.

In conclusion, Frank Ocean’s enigmatic performance at Coachella left fans with a mix of anticipation and disappointment.

As the artist prepares for his second weekend performance, fans can only hope that the experience improves and that Ocean delivers a performance that lives up to their expectations.

Craig Miller

Craig Miller

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