BEYCHELLA 2018
Coachella, the annual dual weekend long music festival for trustafarians, celebs and other 1% adjacent types, has just wrapped.
Well, not exactly — Beyoncé just poured gasoline on their stage, lit a sequined sash, yelled Black Lives Matter and ran.
Ok, maybe she didn’t do that — but it’s what I saw. A massively immersive expression of Black Culture, on one of the whitest stages in the country — in the middle of the desert no less — preceded by the blonde ambition of HAIM who has rocked their “hometown” Coachella stage a whopping TEN times, and white emo swag of rapper Post Malone.
How did Beyoncé emblacken thee? Let me count the ways…
Giving you Wakanda realness by channelling the Queen Nefertiti of Egypt (even though, I believe she was going more for a Queen TUT vibe) for her intro. Then crooning the Black National Anthem with the band swaying like a BLM flag. Popping out with big NoLA brass band sound and bumping HBCU vibes; giving you all the body rolling, booty popping, j’setting, swag surfing and probate step show realness. Bey just crossed those burning Indio, California sands to initiate us all, and we are the Bey Delta Knowles neo chapter. Fela vibes. Nina Simone vibes. Don’t let her be misunderstood, you will take this Beychella and you will like it.
Then, as if she hasn’t given us enough — she brings Kelly & Michelle on stage for a little stroll down memory lane. I am careful not to call this a “Destiny’s Child Reunion,” even Bey was very clear in saying “Kelly & Michelle,” and sis is nothing if not precise.
Beyoncé, the first black woman to headline Coachella (in the year of our lord 2018), did more than snatch wigs tonight… she snatched flower crowns and made you bow down to all of this authentic black girl* magic.
Consistency. Authenticity. Culture. Beyoncé is an artist who never hustles backwards.
P.S. Beyoncé is the ultimate in Managing your Brand 401 — starting with the updated hi-res press ready photos on beyonce.com in real time.
