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Show Review: Blackpink sets the bar high with staggering performance at Coachella

Dayna Yam, Avier Tan

| April 16, 2023

HallyuSG - Blackpink — Blackpink playing at Coachella 2023. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

When it was announced that Blackpink would be headlining this year’s Coachella, we knew that Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa were going to put up a stunning show.

Today, it’s safe to say that they’ve exceeded expectations. And the quartet definitely set the bar high for future K-pop performances.

It seems like the girls are way more at ease, at times playful, at their second Coachella appearance. They last played in the desert in 2019.

“Four years ago we were invited to perform for you guys at Coachella there at the Sahara Tent, and that made a mark in our hearts,” said vocalist Rosé.

Speaking about their performance this year, “it’s a dream come true”, she added.

Performance and music

All songs performed were slightly re-arranged and re-mastered. It’s an invigorating take on their addictive earworms – like Kill This Love (2019), How You Like That (2020) and Whistle (2016).

During their solo performances, Lisa worked some dance moves and brought back her signature pole dancing (like we previously saw during the band’s tour) before a live rendition of Money (2021).

Meanwhile, Rosé sat on a mega scissors lift for her solo track Gone (2021) while Jisoo performed her newly released Flower (2023).

Like in their 2019 Coachella set, Jennie performed Solo (2018). She added another unreleased track, You and Me, to the setlist this time.

Fashion

The quartet sure lives up to their band name. The girls opened their stage with well, black and pink outfits.

For Jennie’s solo stage, she went back to her signature ballet core aesthetic. An all white ensemble coupled with lavish jewellery and matching leg warmers.

Like her newest release, flowers have to be part of her outfit. Jisoo wore a crimson red one-piece outfit, embellished with flowers.

Rosé opted for a more provocative look with a see through metallic piece while Lisa chose a flashy piece for her solo performance.

Our take on Blackpink’s performance

Evidently, Blackpink brought their A game to Coachella. And they served up a splendid performance — one which lasted for approximately 1½ hours.

Blackpink. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella

It’s also clear that Blackpink lives by this mantra: less talk, more performance. Talk sets are kept to a minimum, before quickly transitioning to their next performance.

If anyone needs a visual reference of what the best K-pop performance might look like, this might be it.