XG makes historic Coachella debut as first Japanese girl group to headline Sahara Stage

April 17, 2025 - 9:32 AM IST

Japanese Hip-hop/R&B powerhouse XG made waves at Coachella 2025, delivering a high-energy, genre-defying performance that solidified their place as one of the most exciting acts in global music. Taking the stage as the closing act at the festival’s iconic Sahara Stage, XG made history as the first Japanese female group to headline the venue, marking a significant milestone not only for themselves but for Asian representation on the global stage.

XG makes historic Coachella debut as first Japanese girl group to headline Sahara Stage

The performance took place during Coachella’s first weekend (April 11–13), which also featured music giants like Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, with Travis Scott making a surprise special appearance. While many artists drew large crowds, XG’s debut turned out to be one of the festival's most talked-about moments, amplified by the fact that they were the only Japanese act in this year’s lineup.

Opening with a powerful fusion of “HESONOO + X-GENE” from their first mini-album NEW DNA, XG ignited the crowd with their dynamic choreography, unique fashion, and commanding stage presence. Dressed in custom-designed outfits for the occasion, the seven-member group brought a blend of style and swagger that instantly captivated the packed audience.

They followed up with viral hit “WOKE UP,” their all-rap anthem that dominated the Global Japan Songs Excl. Japan chart for nine weeks and hit #1 on YouTube trending charts in 19 countries, including the U.S. The intensity only grew with performances of “GRL GVNG”—a track that became the first Japanese song to top Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart powered by X (formerly Twitter).

In between songs, group members CHISA and MAYA energized the audience, with CHISA calling out, “What’s up Coachella?” and MAYA adding, “We're so happy to finally be here at Coachella! Let’s have fun tonight!” Their warmth and excitement resonated deeply, amplifying the already electric atmosphere.

A standout moment came with the surprise debut of a new stage performance titled “SHINOBI (DANCE BREAK)”, inspired by traditional ninja themes, complete with masked dancers and an intense visual spectacle. XG then delivered hits like “LEFT RIGHT”—which holds the record as the longest-charting track by an Asian girl group on Mediabase’s Top 40 Radio Airplay Chart—as well as their newest single, “IN THE RAIN,” released just two days before their performance.

The group’s precision and stagecraft shone brightest during dance-heavy tracks like “TGIF,” “PUPPET SHOW,” and fan-favorite “IYKYK.” Their performance of “IS THIS LOVE”—the viral global anthem for Shiseido’s Anessa campaign—drew roaring approval from the crowd.

The set concluded with the anthemic “SHOOTING STAR,” capping off a 13-song, one-hour set backed by a live band and bespoke stage design. The crowd’s chants of “XG! XG!” continued even after the lights dimmed, a testament to the performance’s emotional and cultural impact.

The concert was streamed live on YouTube, garnering a huge wave of global reactions and pushing #XGCHELLA into the Top 5 global trends on X, hitting #2 in the U.S. and trending in 10+ other countries.

XG is scheduled to return to the Sahara Stage for Weekend 2 of Coachella on April 20. The performance is part of their ongoing XG 1st WORLD TOUR “The First HOWL”, spanning 47 shows in 35 cities across 18 countries. The tour, which kicked off in Japan in May 2024, is nearing its grand finale at the Tokyo Dome on May 14—the same day they will drop their new single “MILLION PLACES.”