COACHELLA'S first weekend made history, brought back rock and boasted one of its most international slates ever, all while offering no shortage of its customary barely there fashion.
Here's a rundown of the weekend's takeaways:
- History-making headliners -
Coachella 2023 was the first time none of the premier desert festival's headliners were white, and the three sets ran the gamut of representation while setting historic precedent.
Reggaeton giant Bad Bunny blazed through two hours of his oeuvre while honoring Latino music pioneers, offering his frenzied fans fireworks, special guests including Post Malone and a dance break.
The biggest pop star in the world was the first Spanish-language and first Latin American act to headline Coachella: "There's never been someone like me before," he said in Spanish.
The next night K-pop phenomenon BLACKPINK became the first Asian act to headline, exceeding already high expectations for a tightly performed show heavy on effects, as tens of thousands of festival-goers partied to a string of their pop smashes.
And on day three, Frank Ocean closed the weekend in his signature enigmatic fashion, after taking a full hour beyond his scheduled start time to begin. He did not allow press photos and nixed the increasingly customary YouTube livestream.
"Come on Frank, let's go!" shouted one onlooker as the massive crowd grew increasingly twitchy.
He finally appeared centerstage wearing a blue hoodie, mostly turned away from the crowd to perform his track "Novacane," and took prolonged pauses between songs including "Crack Rock" and "White Ferrari."
When Ocean finally spoke, he teased a new album to cries of joy from the audience, but he gave no indication of its content or timeline.
Ocean closed his set as abruptly as he began: "Guys, I'm being told it's curfew so that's the end of the show," he said, and the stage screen cut to black.
- The Rock Show -
For years, Coachella's fans have complained that the festival has veered too far from its alt-rock roots; Rage Against The Machine, Beck and Tool headlined the first edition in 1999.
But for all the weekend's eminently danceable sets -- Charli XCX, Rosalia and Latto to name a few -- rock was alive and well, from legacy acts to the cutting edge.
Blink-182 reunited with its original lineup for the first time in nearly a decade, offering a nostalgic headbanging moment for the droves of 30-somethings reliving the soundtrack to their youths, from "The Rock Show" to "What's My Age Again" to "All The Small Things."
After the set, many rushed to catch a blockbuster show from Blondie, who delivered hits including "Heart of Glass" and "Call Me," and invited guest Nile Rodgers onstage.
Fresh off the release of their album "the record," boygenius the indie rock supergroup comprised of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus reunited for a set that ranged from heartstring-tugging to a guitar-smashing vibe.
They had the crowd swaying and singing along to a setlist jam-packed with beloved tracks, including "True Blue" and "The Record."
The trio also got political, voicing support for trans and abortion rights, while also delivering an expletive-laden rebuke of Ron DeSantis, the extreme-right Florida governor considering a run for his party's 2024 presidential nomination.
Also among the rockstars was Ethel Cain, who brought her ethereal, southern gothic brand of folk-rock to the desert, donning a cheerleader skirt and letterman's jacket to lead the crowd through her tracks including the hypnotic hit "American Teenager."
"You guys like a good little yee haw?" said the Alabama native to cheers.
- Going global -
Along with Bad Bunny and BLACKPINK, major artists including Spain's Rosalia, Iceland's Bjork and Nigeria's Burna Boy received top billings on the festival's main stage, while India's Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistan's Ali Sethi drew large crowds to their high-octane sets.
It was perhaps Coachella's most globalized lineup yet, reflective of international music trends brought into relief by streaming metrics.
Belgium's Angele bopped through her Coachella debut, as France's Christine and the Queens and Domi and JD Beck, the rising jazz duo comprised of a French keyboardist and American drummer, also played respective sets.
And the elusive electronic producer Jai Paul earned acclaim after playing his first public performance ever.
- Thongs to the front -
It wouldn't be Coachella without a parade of the trendiest, wackiest, skimpiest fashion of the moment, and 2023 was no different.
High on the trendlist were flowing, mesh or transparent overlays that often barely concealed thong underwear and full-on booty.
Cowboy hats and boots were also big, as were flowing pants paired with crop tops that melded comfort with sexy under the blazing desert sun.
Flower crowns were decidedly out but seventies-style crochet, fringe and halter tops were all the rage, especially in metallics and embellished with glitter and sequins.
And if anyone was still wondering if low-rise pants are back...the answer is a solid yes, especially when paired with a cap-sleeved baby tee in true Y2K form.
ETX Studio
Tue Apr 18 2023
Pakistani Singer Ali Sethi performs during the first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. - ETX Studio
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.