After seven years, 2NE1 reunited on stage at Coachella 2022 during the 88rising set. Photo by Kevin Mazur. Courtesy of Getty Images.
By Mycah Serdenia, Staff Reporter
After a long two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival made its grand return to the desert with headline performances by Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd. There were over 100 performances and, out of those, a growing number of artists from Asian countries dominated the stage.
This year, Coachella decided to partner with Asian music-centric collective 88rising for a special “Head in the Clouds” set that took place over the three-day, two-weekend festival. Focused on bridging the gap between Asian and American music, the label company brought along powerhouse artists such as rapper Rich Brian and singer-songwriter NIKI, both of which graced Coachella audiences with their hits “These Nights” and “Every Summertime.” 88rising also brought along artists such as Jackson Wang, BIBI, and Warren Hue. As a surprise, 88rising debuted K-pop group Aespa at the festival, and reunited the “Queens of K–Pop,” 2NE1.
Not only was 88rising the first label company to land an official performance slot at the festival, but they also displayed several history-making performances. Wang, a rapper, singer, and dancer from Hong Kong, became the first Chinese artist to perform on the main stage at Coachella. Rich Brian and NIKI also made history, becoming the two first solo artists from Indonesia.
Mark Macaraeg, an undergraduate student from CSULA attended the first weekend of the festival and was present for the 80-minute Head in the Clouds attraction. 2NE1 is not the first Korean Pop girl group to take center stage at the festival. Blackpink performed at the festival’s 20th anniversary, making history as the first all-female K-Pop group to perform at Coachella.
“Of the festivals and concerts I’ve been to, this moment was definitely one I’ll remember forever,” Macaraeg said.
Among the numerous firsts for 88rising and their lineup, many other notable Asian artists made their debuts on center stage, several making history in the process. Pinoy artist Beabadoobee became the youngest Filipina to perform at the festival, and Mongolian folk rock band the Hu made their debut as the first band to represent Mongolia at Coachella. Coming off of her first Grammy win, Arooj Aftab became the first Pakistani artist to take the stage at the venue.
As Coachella is known for showcasing the nation’s most prominent artists and putting a spotlight on rising stars, it is only natural for history to be made at this iconic showcase, especially as the festival becomes more and more diverse each year. Giving Asian creators, such as 88rising, the opportunity to perform at one of the largest and most popular music festivals in the world, serves as a breakthrough moment for many artists who might never get the chance anywhere else.
The substantial presence of Asian and Asian-American artists at Coachella this year gave the general public an idea of the thriving abundance of talent that lies beyond Western culture. Introducing music lovers, both casual and hardcore listeners, to new faces and voices will echo the richness of their heritage and bring a wealth of creativity onto the world’s stage.
