BY JOSEPH DEBELL, STAFF WRITER
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
While Frank Ocean’s fans at Coachella were disappointed with his performance, the entire situation perfectly reflects the enigma that is Frank Ocean.
Artists nowadays are doing anything they can to stay at the forefront of their fans’ minds because social media can overexpose and saturate artists. This happens because artists are consistently engaging with audiences. Frank Ocean has somehow accomplished this despite being inaccessible to his audience.
Given how it’s been six years since Frank Ocean’s last show and nine years since his last LP, it’s understandable that people expect his next performance or move to be grand. That’s exactly why Frank Ocean’s fans felt let down by his lackluster performance at Coachella and now feel justified in blowing their dismay out of proportion on social media.
Frank Ocean has a history of appearing aloof during his performances despite including passionate and emotionally invested vocals. Flashy set pieces have never been a hallmark of Frank Ocean’s shows.
Leading up to Coachella, Frank Ocean’s fans were promised a performance featuring an impressive ice rink. While fans anticipated the remarkable ice rink and the blocking that comes with it, it would have been his best performance if Frank Ocean were physically able. But, in a way, the scrapping of the ice rink was just a return to Ocean’s usual intimate and compelling musical outings.
Nevertheless, Frank Ocean’s fans have every right to be frustrated with the one-hour start time delay due to Ocean’s rehearsal-related ankle fracture, leg sprain and the subsequent doctor-recommended changes to the ambitious staging plans. This becomes more apparent when you consider how his fans have brought him to a place where he can perform on a stage like Coachella. A simple last-minute decision can be frustrating for everyone who is involved with his act.
No one’s time in the music industry is a given, and this entire situation leaves me anxious about how Frank Ocean proceeds post Coachella ‘23. It also leaves me questioning Frank Ocean’s reason for performing. My guess is that it was to pay homage to his late brother.
“My brother and I came to this festival a lot.” Frank Ocean said. “I know he would’ve been so excited to be here with all of us, and I want to say thank you for the support and the ears and the love over all this time.”
If this dilemma gets out of hand for him, it could potentially threaten whether or not Coachella would ever invite him back, or whether anyone would want to see him live.
This is upsetting. Frank Ocean has generational talent and artistic creativity that has molded the musical landscape of R&B.
debelljb22@bonaventure.edu
