Array
After six years without a public performance, Frank Ocean returned to the spotlight Sunday night, closing out the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival’s first weekend with a set that had intimate solos and new music – but a stunning dud of an ending cut short by local curfew rules.
The elusive pop-soul star, renowned for his pair of visionary albums, “Blonde” and “Channel Orange,” performed for more than an hour at the festival’s main Coachella Stage Sunday night. But after Ocean started his performance nearly an hour late, he was forced to end his performance around 12:20 a.m. Monday.
“Guys, I’m being told it’s curfew, so that’s the end of the show. Thank you so much,” Ocean said abruptly after a song. (Coachella typically has a midnight curfew for its Sunday shows.)
Blackpink makes Coachella history at 2023 festival, holds own without guests
The disjointed ending left many fans in disbelief, especially given the set was such a long time coming. Ocean was originally booked to headline Coachella in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a cancellation, and the singer was not available to play during the festival’s return last year.
“Everybody is talking like, ‘It’s been so long, it’s been so long,’ but I have missed you,” Ocean said to rapturous cheers earlier in his set.
Fans online were also disappointed after YouTube announced late on Sunday night that Ocean would not appear on the Coachella livestream.
While frustrating for fans, Ocean’s performance, like headliners Bad Bunny and BLACKPINK on Friday and Saturday, was still history-making: On Sunday, Ocean became the first openly gay man to headline the globally beloved festival.
