Written by Winona Young
Earlier this year, Pitchfork released an article investigating the co-founder of Coachella, Philip Anschutz, and learned that he has donated thousands of dollars to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations. Such accusations sparked protest hashtags such as #BoycottCoachella and #NoChella. Anschutz and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) have released statements proclaiming their innocence and their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Upon reviewing Coachella’s past lineups, the festival has certainly been no stranger to LGBTQ+ artists. This year’s lineup featured artists like Hayley Kiyoko, Perfume Genius, and St. Vincent. What comes to mind now is whether fans ought to be enraged by Coachella’s problematic ties or continue to go the festival purely for the music. Furthermore, this situation begs the question: is it appropriate for LGBTQ+ artists to perform at Coachella? I would argue that more than ever, LGBTQ+ artists deserve to have a large platform to share their music, and to perform despite Coachella’s co-founder.
Insidious beliefs of homophobes should not be tolerated. As media and art consumers, we need to set higher standards for companies and their employees, especially powerful ones, and assert that bigotry is unacceptable. With that said, until less bigoted companies are brought to the forefront by the media, “the garbage will do,” to quote Rey from Star Wars.
Whatever faults and shortcomings Coachella’s co-founder may have should not be on the conscience of the artists themselves, since they have no part in whatever prejudices he may have. The LGBTQ+ artists who perform at Coachella wield no power in determining where the profits go, and should not feel guilty for contributing to their careers.
While artists face a slight ethical dilemma by walking out onto that stage, at the end of the day, the owners are still handing out microphones and money. By being introduced to an expansive audience, LGBTQ+ artists gain the opportunity to earn even more acclaim and reach an audience starved for LGBTQ+ representation. These artists are able to give that gift of representation, so who are we to judge them for taking a golden opportunity and sharing their art with the world?
With that said, I would like to make an honourable mention of a particular surprisingly relevant and radical performance at Coachella by none other than America’s favourite boy band: Brockhampton. For the uncool and uninformed, Brockhampton is a hip-hop collective of roughly 17 members, that range from producing, to artwork, to rapping, to writing, etc.
What made Brockhampton’s performance at Coachella particularly resonant was their wardrobe choice. In typical boy band fashion, the performers of the group wore matching outfits: white kicks, blue jeans, and black bulletproof vests. Each vest had its own unique label (for example, Joba’s “FIEND” and Merlyn’s “WAKANDA”).
Frontman Kevin Abstract’s vest in particular was emblazoned with the slur “FAGGOT.” Kevin Abstract has unapologetically rapped about his sexuality in verses, so him wearing this slur on his sleeve is nothing new for longtime fans. However, what Abstract accomplished by doing so, on a Coachella main stage, no less, was an act of sheer defiance. Abstract reclaimed a slur that was often thrown at him, and did so proudly.
While it is unlikely that Abstract did this in response to the allegations against Anschutz, Abstract’s costume choice still stands as a significant artistic choice in owning his sexuality, free of shame. This is not to say that all LGBTQ+ artists need to be as unabashed as Brockhampton, nor that expressing one’s sexuality through performance and song is necessary for an LGBTQ+ artist.
The fact that such costumes and performances appear proudly on a stage as large and loud as Coachella means that such acts deserve attention and applause. For LGBTQ+ artists to perform at Coachella, and to use such an opportunity to be as loud about their sexuality as they want to be, is by all means appropriate and should be encouraged. Besides, what better way to stick it to an alleged homophobe than by singing about your same-sex lover and not letting yourself be censored?
