Coachella’s Darkest Hour: Inside the Closing Set Delay Debacle

How a single artist left Coachella in the dark: what really happened with Frank Ocean performance?

Coachella
Coachella via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/coachella/photos/a.10150753783241648/10156993531946648

This past weekend, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival took place in Indio, California, and as always, it was a spectacle of music, art, and fashion. But despite the buzz and excitement that the festival generates each year, the closing of weekend 1 was plagued with darkness and disappointment.

Fans were left frustrated and disappointed after Frank Ocean’s lackluster performance at Coachella’s closing night

The main reason for this disappointment was none other than Frank Ocean. The enigmatic R&B artist was set to headline the festival’s final night. However, as the night wore on, it became clear that something was amiss. Ocean was running behind schedule, and his set was delayed by over an hour.

As the minutes ticked by, the mood in the audience turned from excitement to frustration. People grew restless and agitated, and the energy of the festival began to dissipate.

As the crowd waited in the pitch black, with no explanation or communication from the festival organizers, it became clear that this was Coachella’s darkest hour.

When Ocean finally took the stage, it was well past midnight. He played a disjointed set, full of long pauses and on-stage audibles, and his performance was criticized by many as lackluster and uninspired. The disappointment was palpable, and many fans left the festival feeling cheated and let down. He also played past Coachella’s curfew.

Coachella’s Handling of Frank Ocean’s Delay Questioned

In the aftermath of the weekend’s events, many have questioned the festival’s handling of the situation. Why did they allow Ocean’s delay to continue for so long, without any explanation or updates?

Coachella has yet to release an official statement or comment on the festival’s headliner, Frank Ocean. In fact, for those watching Coachella’s contents on social media and YouTube, it was as if Frank Ocean was never announced as a headliner in the first place. This lack of acknowledgment has left many attendees and fans confused and disappointed.

In today’s social media-driven world, it’s imperative for festivals and events to communicate efficiently and effectively with their attendees and fans. The lack of communication from Coachella’s official channels has left many wondering if this was an intentional move to distance themselves from Frank Ocean’s chaotic set or if they simply forgot to acknowledge him.

Coachella remained with no music at all for more than an hour; but why?

Coachella’s decision to allow other stages to run past midnight, while Frank Ocean’s set remained in limbo, is a point of contention among festival-goers. Many have expressed frustration on social media, stating that the festival could have easily avoided having the entire event go dark by simply allowing other stages to continue running.

It’s not uncommon for music festivals to experience delays or technical difficulties, but the handling of Frank Ocean’s set at Coachella has left many feeling dissatisfied. While some have blamed Ocean himself for the delays and lackluster performance, others argue that Coachella could have done more to ensure that the event continued smoothly.

Without an official statement from Coachella organizers, it’s difficult to know what exactly happened behind the scenes. However, it’s clear that the festival’s handling of the situation has left many feeling disappointed and let down.

What really happened behind and on the stage?

According to a Twitter post by TheFestiveOwl, sources have revealed what really transpired during Frank Ocean’s performance on the closing night of Coachella weekend 1. The stage production was supposed to have an ice rink that was constructed and ready to go, but Frank decided at the last minute that he no longer wanted it. All of the people walking around him at the start of the performance were actually ice skaters who had been practicing for weeks and were supposed to be skating as part of the production.

Coachella had to deconstruct the approved stage that had been planned and signed off on for months in advance and melt the entire ice rink. They then had to set up the stage according to Frank’s new demands with no warning, which caused an hour-long delay. If the last-minute changes were not made, Frank wouldn’t have performed at all, leaving the festival without a closing headliner.

Frank also personally pulled the plug at the last second on the live stream, which left a sour taste in the mouths of many inside Coachella.

Ultimately, according to the source, “It just didn’t seem like he wanted to be there but was obligated to be. Everything (including him) fell apart last minute.”