The influential but discreet R&B singer Frank Ocean will be the star of the 2023 edition of the Coachella event festival, which is spread over two weekends each year and launches the musical festivities of the summer. The artist, who had not unveiled a new album since Blonde, released in 2016, took advantage of the festival to present new titles exclusively.
The singer performed for the first time on the Californian festival stage on Sunday and is expected to return to the stage next weekend. Unlike other performances streamed live on the festival’s YouTube channel, Frank Ocean’s was not uploaded. It was one of the most anticipated of the festival. According to the magazine Rollingstone, present on the spot, the singer would also have performed known titles from his repertoire, such as the songs Novacane, Crack Rock and White Ferrari.
Back on stage
The singer had not performed on stage since his performance at the Flow Festival in August 2017. Since that date, Frank Ocean has produced no other albums but has released some six singles, including a cover of Moon River. He launched into luxury, with his Homer brand, then into cinema – the singer would consider writing and directing his own film. No details of this project have yet been revealed.
Frank Ocean was originally set to become the first queer headlining artist at the 2020 edition, but organizers first postponed and then eventually scrapped it due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Californian festival was held the weekend of April 14 to 16 and will resume for a second weekend, April 22 and 23.