The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held annually in Indio, California, is a global stage where music’s biggest names and rising stars converge. In 2025, one act stood out as a trailblazer: XG, the seven-member Japanese girl group, who made their Coachella debut on April 13 and 20, delivering a performance that marked a pivotal moment for Japanese music on the world stage. As the only Japanese act in the lineup, XG’s appearance was not just a festival highlight but a cultural milestone, showcasing their unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and boundary-pushing artistry to a massive audience.

Who Is XG?

Formed by XGALX, XG—comprising Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Harvey, Juria, Maya, and Cocona—debuted in March 2022 with their single Tippy Toes. Since then, they’ve carved a distinct path in the global music scene, blending genres and defying conventions with their bold visuals and intricate choreography. Their 2024 mini-album AWE solidified their rise, debuting at No. 3 on Japan’s Oricon Weekly Album Ranking and Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums chart, while cracking the Billboard 200. Tracks like “HOWLING” and “In the Rain” have resonated worldwide, with the former hitting No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Rap Digital Song Sales Chart. XG’s first world tour, The First HOWL, drew massive crowds across Asia, North America, and Europe, setting the stage for their Coachella moment.

A Star-Studded Lineup and a Historic Slot

Coachella 2025 boasted headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone, and Travis Scott, alongside heavyweights such as Charli XCX, Missy Elliott, and Megan Thee Stallion. XG’s inclusion in this star-studded roster was significant—they were listed in the second tier of the lineup, a rare feat for a Japanese act, especially a female group. Performing on the Sahara Stage, Coachella’s largest indoor stage, at 10:55 p.m. on both Sundays, XG closed out the stage’s lineup, a slot that amplified their visibility to festival-goers and livestream audiences worldwide via YouTube.

holy shit xg killing it at coachella!! their vocals so good while doing hard choreo in the desert heat!! HANDS DOWN the best kpop girl group performance since BP in 2023! So impressive!!

pic.twitter.com/YOIslaC6qj

— MatthewL (@Matthewlae1) April 14, 2025

Their Sahara Stage performance was a testament to their growing influence. Known for high-energy electronic music and hip-hop acts, the stage was a perfect fit for XG’s genre-defying sound. Posts on X leading up to the event buzzed with anticipation, with fans predicting an “iconic” set and crediting XG’s innovative producers for crafting something “fierce” for Coachella. The group’s ability to hold their own among global giants underscored their unique appeal and relentless ambition.

The Performance: A Blend of Artistry and Emotion

XG’s Coachella set was a masterclass in performance art, blending their signature choreography with emotive storytelling. While the exact setlist wasn’t fully detailed in advance, fans expected staples like “HOWLING,” with its pulsating energy, and “In the Rain,” an R&B-infused track from AWE that uses rainfall as a metaphor for heartbreak. The latter, re-released as a single on April 11, 2025, just days before their debut, featured a remix with EDM elements, likely tailored to electrify the Sahara Stage crowd.

This milestone builds on XG’s earlier achievements. They were the first Japanese artists to top Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart and grace the magazine’s cover as a girl group. Their Coachella performance further cemented their role as pioneers, challenging stereotypes about Japanese music and proving it can compete with the world’s biggest acts. For fans, it was a moment of pride; for the industry, a wake-up call to Japanese artists’ untapped potential.