Frank Ocean, the Grammy-winning R&B artist, has reportedly dropped out of the upcoming Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival following his controversial headliner performance in 2022.
According to sources close to the event, Ocean was set to headline the festival’s opening night, but has now pulled out of the event due to scheduling conflicts. This news comes as a disappointment to fans who were eagerly anticipating the singer’s return to the stage.
The decision to cancel Ocean’s performance is a major blow for the festival, which is set to take place over two weekends in April 2023. Coachella has become one of the most popular music festivals in the world, attracting over 250,000 attendees each year.
Ocean’s 2022 performance at Coachella was met with mixed reviews. While some fans praised the artist for his unique style and captivating stage presence, others criticized his performance for being too experimental and lacking in energy.
Despite the mixed reception, Ocean remains one of the most popular and highly-regarded R&B artists in the world. His most recent album, “Blonde,” was released in 2016 and received widespread critical acclaim.
This news also raises concerns about the festival’s ability to attract big-name performers amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many artists have expressed concerns about performing at large-scale events due to the risk of infection, and it remains to be seen how many acts will be willing to perform at Coachella this year.
In addition, recent controversies surrounding the festival’s organizers have led some fans to question their support for the event. In 2022, Coachella faced backlash over the reported mistreatment of workers at the festival, including claims of underpaying and overworking employees.
Despite these challenges, Coachella organizers are still confident that the festival will be a success. The event is set to feature performances by a range of popular artists, including Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Post Malone, among others.