This year’s Coachella lineup is one for the books, as ATEEZ delivered a blazing debut performance, becoming the first K-pop boy band to headline the annual music and arts festival. They now share the same prestige as BLACKPINK, who were celebrated as the first Korean girl group to grace the stages of the music valley in 2019.
With great pride and excitement, Hongjoong, Seonghwa, San, Wooyoung, Yeosang, Mingi, Jongho, and Yunho owned the Sahara stage as they transformed their entire setlist into the centerpiece of their concert. They started the showcase with an enthralling rendition of their smash hit ‘Say My Name’. The octet did not pass up the opportunity to highlight their Asian heritage through the LED visuals, props, and folk dances.
Aside from the cheer of the local crowd, various online users expressed their support and praise for the boys, saying they must have some ‘crazy stamina’ as they displayed stable vocals and fierce energy throughout the 50-minute performance. The internet gave special acknowledgement to Jongho, the group’s main vocalist and maknae, for spearheading the vocal department.
In other words, ATEEZ delivered. This comes as no surprise, considering their reputation for unwavering stage presence and intense performances—traits that earned them the title of “Global Performance Idols” in the Korean media.
Now, they are dubbed the “Pirate Kings of Sahara.” It goes without saying that ATEEZ deserves the success and fame they are getting, especially knowing that they came from a small entertainment company. Their involvement in music production, especially that of the group’s leader, Hongjoong, makes their discography more unique and personal.
But if we’re talking about firsts, then couple Lee Hyun Joon and Lee Yun Joung of the duo EE take the cake, as they were the first Korean music act to be in the Coachella lineup way back in 2011. Then came Mithra Jin, Tablo, and DJ Tukutz of the hip-hop trio Epik High in 2016, and BLACKPINK, indie band HYUKOH, and rock band Jambinai in 2019.
The unfortunate cancellation of Coachella 2020 due to the pandemic foiled the anticipated comeback of Epik High and the debut of K-pop royalty BIGBANG at the music festival. But the rave continued in 2022 with 2NE1, Aespa, BIBI, Jackson Wang, Epik High, rapper Yoon Mirae, and DJ Peggy Gou. And last year’s lineup included BLACKPINK, DPR LIVE + DPR IAN, Jackson Wang, and Loren.
Weekend 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2024 had a great kick-start with the diverse artist lineup and its headliners, Lana del Rey, Tyler The Creator, and Doja Cat. Join the Weekend 2 festivity for ATEEZ’s electrifying reprise, together with Peso Pluma, Sabrina Carpenter, Ice Spice, Jhené Aiko, LE SSERAFIM, FLO, 88Rising Futures, and many more!
