Frank Ocean teases album, pays homage to brother during headlining Coachella set
Written by ABC AUDIO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on April 17, 2023
Frank Ocean closed out Coachella Sunday during his first major performance in six years, but only fans at the festival were able to watch it live. Moments before he took the stage, it was announced that the live broadcast of his set would be axed; the reasons for the cancellation were not disclosed.
According to HipHopDx, Frank took the stage nearly an hour late, singing songs “Novocane,” “Crack Rock,” “Bad Religion,” “White Ferrari,” “Nights,” a cover of Willie Nelson’s “Night Life” and more. He also paid homage to his late brother, Ryan Breaux, who died in a car accident in 2020 at just 18 years old.
“These last couple years, my life changed so much … My brother and I, we came to this festival a lot, and I feel like I was dragged out here half the time because I hated the dust out here,” he said. “I always left with a respiratory infection or whatever, so I would avoid coming, but I would always end up here.”
“One of my fondest memories was watching Rae Sremmurd on — I don’t know what that stage is called — watching Rae Sremmurd with my brother and Travis [Bennett],” he continued. “We were just dancing in that tent to their music … 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.”
Frank hinted there’s an album in the works, but “not right now.” He ended his performance with a rendition of Aaliyah‘s “At Your Best (You Are Love)” before announcing his set was being cut short.
“Guys, I’m being told it’s curfew, so that’s the end of the show,” he said. “Thank you so much.”
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