Frank Ocean's Coachella Set Sparks Mixed Feelings

Not everyone's happy with Frank Ocean's long anticipated return to the stage, and here's why.

Photo: Variety

As the 2023 Coachella festival came to a close, fans were left with mixed feelings about Frank Ocean's headlining performance. While some were impressed by the enigmatic R&B singer's unique style and innovative approach to his set, others were left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.

Coachella, one of the biggest music festivals in the world, draws in thousands of fans each year with its star-studded lineup and elaborate stage productions. This year's festival was no exception, with artists like BLACK PINK, Becky G, and Bad Bunny taking the stage. However, it was Frank Ocean's performance that had fans buzzing.

Ocean, known for his elusive persona and introspective lyrics, is one of the most highly regarded artists in the music industry. His last album, Blonde, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim and fans had been eagerly awaiting new music from the singer ever since. So when Ocean was announced as a headliner for Coachella 2023, fans were understandably excited for his return.

However, when it came time for Frank Ocean's set, some fans were left feeling disappointed. One of the main issues was the lack of production value. While Coachella is known for its elaborate stage setups and visual effects, Ocean opted for a more stripped-down approach. He performed on a simple stage with minimal lighting and no video screens or projections. This left some fans feeling underwhelmed and questioning whether they had gotten their money's worth. In addition, it was announced that Frank Ocean's set wouldn't be streamed live, which is the case for most performances at Coachella.

Another point of contention was Ocean's song selection. While the singer played some of his biggest hits including "Nikes," "Godspeed" and "Bad Religion," he also chose to play a lot of new and unreleased material. While some fans appreciated the opportunity to hear new music from the artist, others felt that they didn't get the Frank Ocean experience they were hoping for. Additionally, Ocean performed a cover of "At Your Best (You Are Love)" before making a shocking announcement shortly after midnight.

"Guys, I'm being told it's curfew, so that's the end of our show. Thank you so much," said Frank Ocean to end his set.

The artist only performed for an hour, which is relatively short for a headlining act at Coachella. Many fans felt that they didn't get to see enough of Ocean and that he could have played for much longer.

However, despite these issues, there were still many fans who enjoyed Ocean's performance. Some appreciated the stripped-down approach and felt that it was a refreshing change from the over-the-top productions of other headliners. Others enjoyed the opportunity to hear new music from the enigmatic artist and were impressed by his unique style and approach to his set.

So why were some fans so upset about Ocean's performance? It ultimately comes down to expectations. With so much hype and anticipation surrounding Ocean's appearance at Coachella, fans were expecting a show-stopping performance that would blow them away. When Ocean delivered a more subdued and stripped-down set, some fans felt let down and underwhelmed. However, as some of his loyal fans have been advocating for in social media, it's important to remember that Frank Ocean is an artist who does things his own way. He's always been elusive and mysterious, and his Coachella performance was no different. While it may not have been what some fans were expecting, to some it was still a unique and memorable performance that showcased Ocean's talent and creativity.

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