Chinese star power took the stage by storm at Coachella.
During the 88rising Futures segment of this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 14, Chinese artists Jackson Wang and Liu Yuxin captivated the audience with their unique music and style.
Jackson Wang, dressed in black, surprised everyone by joining South Korean singer and rapper BIBI to debut an unreleased track titled “Feeling Lucky.” He also performed with the Japanese hip-hop trio Number_i, consisting of Yuta Jinguji, Yuta Kishi and Sho Hirano, showcasing their hit single “Goat.”
Bibi and Jackson Wang perform during the 88rising Futures showcase at the Mojave Tent during the 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 14, 2024 in Indio, Calif.
Adding to the lineup of 88rising Futures, Chinese singer Liu Yuxin, also known as Xin Liu, made her debut at this year’s Coachella festival. She delivered a 12-minute performance, including the live debut of her first all-English single “Reality.” Adorned in a glistening gold ensemble, Liu illuminated the Mojave stage with her dynamic vocals and passionate choreography. Her performance featured the enchanting Miao ethnic group style in “Hurricane,” combining Miao folk music with Chinese street dance, establishing her as the first Mandarin-speaking female singer to captivate the Coachella audience.
Liu Yuxin
Jackson Wang’s performance at the 2024 Coachella festival solidified him as the first Chinese singer to perform three times at the prestigious event. In 2022, Wang made his debut at Coachella, as the first Chinese solo artist to take the stage at the festival. He also took a moment to remind the audience why it mattered that he was there: “This is the moment of history, this is Magic Man, this is Jackson Wang from China,” he said. During his set, the Chinese rapper sang “100 Ways” and “Blow” from his album Magic Man, as well as “Cruel.”
In 2023, Jackson Wang delivered an iconic 50-minute solo set at Coachella for the second consecutive year, showcasing songs from his album Magic Man. He awed music fans when he brought out Grammy-winning artist Ciara to perform their new single “Slow,” which was co-written by Wang himself. They also collaborated on a remix of XG’s “Left Right.”
Wang’s success extends to social media, with over 1 billion views on TikTok and 30 million Instagram followers. His album Magic Man in 2022 achieved significant success on the Billboard 200 chart, reaching an impressive No. 15. The same year, he embarked on his first world tour, performing in 24 cities across 12 countries, attracting fans and audiences worldwide and setting numerous records for Chinese singers performing internationally.
The Coachella festival is a prominent music event that takes place in the Coachella Valley of California. This festival annually features renowned singers and bands, setting trends in the global pop music scene. Being selected to perform at Coachella has emerged as a pivotal factor in assessing the power and impact of music idols. The growing presence of Chinese musicians on the Coachella stage offers music enthusiasts a taste of the rich and varied musical landscape from the Eastern part of the world.
