Frank Ocean has reportedly withdrawn from his Weekend 2 headliner performance at the annual Coachella music and arts festival, following a controversial and underwhelming initial performance. Sources indicate that the singer has abandoned a significant performance due to a physical injury.
TMZ reports that Frank Ocean has canceled his Weekend 2 Coachella performance. The singer's representative informed the media outlet that he had sustained two fractures and a sprain in his left leg. "After suffering an injury to his leg on festival grounds in the week leading up to weekend 1, Frank Ocean was unable to perform the intended show but was still intent on performing, and in 72 hours, the show was reworked out of necessity," the statement explained.
The representative further disclosed that the decision was made based on Ocean's doctor's advice. Frank Ocean commented exclusively on his withdrawal, saying, "It was chaotic. There is some beauty in chaos. It isn't what I intended to show but I did enjoy being out there, and I'll see you soon."
Insiders previously told the same outlet that injuries had contributed to Ocean's "lackluster" performance at Coachella. Festival attendees had mixed reactions to Frank Ocean's appearance, criticizing his late arrival and the poorly lit venue that made him difficult to see on stage.
Frank Ocean's Coachella 2023 performance was his first in several years, which left many long-time fans disappointed with his underwhelming return. A Rolling Stone article also confirmed rumors that an ice-skating performance, rehearsed for months, had been abandoned just days before his appearance.
Former hockey players Dan and Chris Powers confirmed the scrapped "Frank Ocean on Ice" Coachella performance on an episode of Empty Netters. Chris revealed, "There was a lot of sunk time for the participants. Because we've been rehearsing for months... You guys gotta keep in mind, the skating portion was going to be huge, it was going to be 120 skaters. And the people that walked was only like 30."
TMZ suggests that Blink-182, who made a surprising and successful comeback during Coachella Weekend 1, could be a strong contender to fill the closing spot vacated by Frank Ocean's performance. Calvin Harris is another potential option to close the festival, given the large crowd he drew on Saturday.