XG Headlines Sahara Stage With Powerful Coachella Debut

Rosa Gulliver
Apr 15
3 min read

Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | April 15, 2025

Global rising hip-hop/R&B girl group XG comprising of JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA and COCONA made a standout debut at Coachella on Sunday, April 13, delivering a powerhouse performance that cemented their status as international trailblazers. Headlining the SAHARA stage, XG became the only Japanese artist featured on this year’s lineup, captivating a massive crowd with live vocals, commanding stage presence and next-level choreography. Billboard also named it one of the best moments from day 3.

Long before they stepped on stage, chants of “XG! XG! XG!” from their devoted fandom, ALPHAZ, echoed through the desert, setting the tone for a night to remember. When the seven-member girl group finally appeared—dressed in custom black and white snakeskin outfits with red gloves—the energy was explosive.

They launched into their set with the cinematic “HESONOO + X-GENE” from their acclaimed 1st mini album, NEW DNA, transforming the SAHARA stage into their signature wolf den. They followed up with “WOKE UP,” their hard-hitting, all-rap track that dominated the Global Japan Songs (Excl. Japan) chart for nine consecutive weeks and topped YouTube’s trending charts in 19 territories. The crowd roared through a fiery run of “GRL GVNG,” which included a viral chair choreography moment and made history as the first Japanese song to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart.

Shortly after, the group paused to greet the crowd, with CHISA calling out, “What’s up, Coachella?”—met by deafening cheers. The energy only intensified with the sleek “SHINOBI” dance break, leading into the fan-favourite “LEFT RIGHT,” which marked a milestone as the first track by a Japanese girl group to chart on U.S. Mediabase Top 40 Radio Airplay, staying for 13 consecutive weeks.

Their newest single, “IN THE RAIN” (released April 11), showcased a stunning balance of vocal finesse and precision choreography—demonstrating why XG is quickly becoming a standout force in global music.

Girl group XG performing at Coachella 2025 — XG performing at Coachella 2025 = Photo Credit: X

While XG transitioned into their second look, the stage remained electric as their dancers, led by acclaimed choreographer Sienna Lalau of The Lab (renowned for her work with BTS) delivered a high-energy interlude featuring a mashup of electronic remixes of XG’s biggest hits. The performance also spotlighted standout talents Audrey Lane from JAM REPUBLIC and Emily Kelavos from Netflix’s "Popstar Academy" and former KATSEYE finalist. XG then returned to the stage in custom, rhinestone-studded outfits inspired by a vibrant, spaceship-core aesthetic, further amplifying the show’s futuristic and high-fashion energy.

The final stretch of the performance delivered a nonstop wave of fan favourites including “TGIF,” “PUPPET SHOW,” “IYKYK” and their viral Shiseido “ANESSA” anthem “IS THIS LOVE.” The group wrapped the night with the euphoric “NEW DANCE,” “SOMETHING AIN’T RIGHT” and a show-stopping finale featuring a band arrangement of their smash hit “SHOOTING STAR.”

BLACKPINK’s LISA was spotted in the crowd dancing and showing support, further fuelling the buzz around XG’s set, which quickly began trending on social media platforms globally. Fans and industry insiders alike praised the group for their live vocals, synchronized power moves, and undeniable star power.

As XG exited the stage to roaring chants and applause, their Coachella debut was solidified as a massive success.

XG will head to Seattle next for an additional show off their “XG 1st WORLD TOUR ‘The first HOWL’” on April 17 and return to the SAHARA stage for their second Coachella performance on April 20.

Coachella Weekend 1 Setlist:

HESONOO + X-GENE
WOKE UP
GRL GVNG
SHINOBI (DANCE BREAK)
LEFT RIGHT
IN THE RAIN
TGIF
PUPPET SHOW
IYKYK
IS THIS LOVE
NEW DANCE
SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT
SHOOTING STAR

About XG

XG is a seven-member hip-hop/R&B girl group formed by XGALX consisting of JURIN, CHISA, HINATA, HARVEY, JURIA, MAYA, and COCONA. Their name, "XG" (Xtraordinary Girls), reflects their mission to inspire and empower people worldwide through their unique music and performances. They debuted in March 2022 with their first single, "Tippy Toes," and have since achieved global recognition. They became the first Japanese artist to rank No. 1 on the US Billboard "Hot Trending Songs Powered by Twitter" and the first Japanese girl group to be featured on the cover of Billboard magazine. In 2024, they embarked on their first world tour, "XG 1st WORLD TOUR 'The first HOWL,'" performing in 35 cities worldwide. In November 2024, they released their second mini-album, AWE, which marked their debut on the Billboard 200. In April 2025, XG will be the only Japanese artist performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the United States.