Coachella 2023: Blackpink, Sofi Tukker, Labrinth impress during Weekend 2

“As you can see, we’re giving you everything that we have,” said an out of breath Jennie, one fourth of Blackpink during the K-pop group’s history-making headlining set during Weekend 2 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio on Saturday, April 22.

It’s a reminder that Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa are actually human. The most internationally successful all-female Korean group were so flawless in their performance that they made it appear effortless.

The quartet breezed through hits like “Kill This Love,” “How You Like That,” and “DDU-DU DDU-DU.”

It’s obvious why they graduated from the Sahara Tent in 2019 to headlining the festival. Blackpink are truly at the top of their game, providing everything you could want for a pop show. The lighting, production, and choreography were a feat themselves, bringing an amended version of their Born Pink Tour to the desert.

“Let’s savor this moment,” said Rosé. “We’re headlining Coachella. Can you believe this? As girls we worked hard all the way from Korea, so thank you very much.”

They made sure to take it all in right before they shared a group hug on stage with the crowd chanting their name as the set ended with a signature Coachella firework ending.

Sofi Tukker was right at home on the Outdoor Theatre on Saturday, breaking in their new stage setup that equates to a playground in paradise. Complete with curved monkey bars, a romantic swing made from vines, and tons of pyrotechnics, every aspect of their stage is used.

Their secret weapon onstage was Bob’s Dance Shop, the viral dance troop that you may have seen doing flash mobs all over TikTok. The dancers — Coco, Lito, Lucas Hive and Kameron with a K — helped amplify the next-level crowd participation.

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“Sofi Tucker really gives us the space to not be background dancers,” said Coco. “We’re there to exude and express their music and express it so vibrantly to the crowd that the crowd feels like they’re not just a spectator, but they’re a participant and they get to play as well.”

And that’s the magic that makes this Sofi Tukker set so special. Those treated to the show on Saturday weren’t there simply to observe, they were very much part of it.

Sunset Rollercoaster sounds like someone threw psychedelic rock, funk, ’80s synth ballads and elements of jazz together. The five-piece band played the Sonora Tent on Saturday and the set was filled with trippy visuals of suns, psychedelic patterns and purple neon lights while the Taiwanese band played songs like “My Jinji,” “Coffee’s on Me” and “Vanilla.”

Rapper Eladio Carrión fans likely would’ve benefited from a bigger stage than the one in the Gobi Tent. There was also some anticipation from fans on whether Carrión would bring out any guests given his latest album, “3MEN2 KBRN,” features the likes of Bad Bunny, Future, Quavo, 50 Cent and more, but he brought out someone else.

The Latin trap star invited Anuel AA to perform “North Carolina” and “Triste Verano.” Although his set didn’t feature the superstars from the new album, he did play some of the tracks, including “Coco Chanel,” “Mbappe” and “Si La Calle Llama.”

Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo’s set began with a pitch-black Gobi Tent but lit up with white flashing lights coordinated with Dave 1’s mashing of heavy power chords on his guitar set to a chrome and silver stage design. While the crowds seemed a bit defeated by the hot weather, the duo revitalized them with their funky tracks, which included “Must’ve Been,” “Night by Night” and “Come Alive.”

Spanish singer Rosalía and Jamaican recording artist Shenseea also added to the international flair with their respective performances Saturday. Rosalía displayed her charisma and confidence throughout the set, taking her audience with her all over the stage and backstage between songs with the use of a mobile camera.

She would carry that same camera into the crowd while singing and extending the microphone out for fans to sing parts of her songs. As she made her way back toward the stage, she embraced one of those fans and gave them a hug. She performed “Linda” with Tokischa, but Rosalía was not joined by her fiancé, Rauw Alejandro, as she did last week. She sang the couple’s two songs — “Beso” and “Vampiros” — solo. Alejandro had a show in El Paso, Texas on Saturday as part of his world tour.

Shenseea performed her set in the Gobi Tent and was accompanied by four backup dancers and a big, inflatable green dragon in the background. She performed “Lighter” and “Lick,” but didn’t include the special guests she had from Weekend one including Tokischa and Coi Leray.

British singer Labrinth performed “I’m Tired” and “All for Us” with Zendaya. Sia also joined Labrinth, along with dancer Maddie Ziegler, for “Thunderclouds.” Billie Eilish joined Labrinth as a special guest last week, but did not return this week.

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