The staying power of Asian artists at music festivals
If there's anything Lollapalooza taught me, it's that Asian artists are here to dominate
(Photo credit: Getty Images)
Hi, it’s me again. I’m back ;)
It’s officially been a little more than a week since I went to Chicago for a whirlwind weekend spent at Lollapalooza. And I can confidently say I haven’t stopped listening to NewJeans over the past couple of days!
Lollapalooza was my very first major music festival, and it certainly lived up to my expectations and more.
While I can say that festival life is extremely exhausting and a bit chaotic, I knew I had to make my way to Lollapalooza this year because it simply felt like I was going to be part of a major cultural shift in the world of Asian entertainment.
This year, TOMORROW X TOGETHER became the first K-pop idol group to headline the festival. They are also the first K-pop group to play at Lollapalooza for a second year in a row. Meanwhile, HYBE label-mates NewJeans, became the very first K-pop girl group to play at the festival, drawing one of the biggest crowds seen at the four-day event.
Other Asian artists who were present included Rina Sawayama, DPR Ian + DPR Live, Sarah Kinsley and NIKI. The Rose, the indie Korean rock band who recently performed at festivals including BST Hyde Park, closed out Thursday night with a headlining set at Bacardi Stage.
Seeing this type of representation at a major festival is something I would not have imagined 10 years ago. Heck, in high school, liking K-pop was seen as some niche thing only “Asians” loved. Now, it’s as mainstream as it’s ever been, with fans of all ages and ethnicities embracing the songs and music.
As someone who got into journalism and writing with the goal of boosting Asian representation and entertainment, it makes me a bit emotional to see how far we’ve come. Asian people are being appreciated and beloved for the art they are creating. Whether it’s coming to terms with your queerness with Rina Sawayama, opening up about mental health struggles with DPR IAN or growing up as a youth today with TXT and NewJeans, there’s just so much variety for Asian people to look up to now. It’s beautiful to see.
In regards to K-pop fandom, I was bound to run into a fan of TXT or NewJeans anywhere I went in Chicago. Though we were all strangers, we exchanged freebies and photocards, supported fanmade businesses and cupsleeve events and shared festival tips with one another due to our shared love of a musical act. I even found myself commiserating and bonding with a girl in the merch line, manifesting that we’ll each get the highly coveted NewJeans T-shirts and sweaters we had been waiting for all weekend!
While music festivals can often attract all sorts of crowds, the camaraderie and passion from fans is proof of the staying power of Asian artists at these types of major events. Organizers of music festivals ought to take note! This year’s Coachella and Lollapalooza are proof enough that K-pop has longevity in the festival circuit. I would particularly love to see Montreal’s Osheaga capitalize on this, too.
As for me, I went to Lollapalooza simply as a spectator, but it also made me think about the future of this little newsletter.
From time to time, I get approached to cover artists and pitch interviews to bigger publications. But in Canada, we are far behind when it comes to culture writing and Asian entertainment. Since starting this newsletter, I’ve had many moments of self doubt in wondering whether all of this is worth it in the end. However, I’ve always pushed past those lingering thoughts, believing that my passion can make a difference for people who are looking for this type of content to consume.
Going to Chicago has given me a renewed sense of hope in my goals. And while this is undoubtedly a bit corny, I’m glad it took braving hours in the rain, crowds and some fangirling to help me dream bigger for myself.
I’ll be writing more comprehensive essays and reviews from Lollapalooza in the coming weeks. So please stay tuned and thank you as always for following along!
The week in BTS: Suga prepares for enlistment, while V releases two new tracks
BIGHIT MUSIC started the week by announcing Suga’s plans for enlistment following his final three shows of his AGUST D tour in Seoul.
Suga was visibly emotional during the third and last day of his finale concerts.
As a fan who found great comfort in his D-Day album, I also hope that Suga found some healing of his own over the last couple of months, too. He gave ARMY yet another opportunity to gather with each other during these concerts. I am so incredibly grateful to have been part of it.
Thankfully, BIGHIT did not allow me to feel sad for long. Because soon after, it was announced that V would be releasing his new album Layover on September 8. And just like previous BTS members’ releases, things are moving fast!
V released two new tracks this week. ‘Love Me Again’ is gorgeous and suits his voice so well! V’s baritone voice is so warm and emotive here. And can we have a round of applause for that gorgeous sequinned outfit?!
Meanwhile, ‘Rainy Days’ is giving me chill, lo-fi bedroom pop — the type of music I usually listen to when I’m studying or writing during a late night. Due to his collaboration with Min Hee Jin (the CEO behind NewJeans), something tells me Layover will be all about the visuals.
What I’m reading: NewJeans’ songwriter Erika de Casier on the songs that made Get Up
Despite its short run length, every time I listen to Get Up from start to finish, I find something new to enjoy about it. Whether it’s the vocal runs, poppy hooks or beats, it is just such a cohesive album!
That’s why I found this GQ interview with singer-songwriter Erika de Casier such an interesting read. Prior to working with NewJeans, de Casier hadn’t explored K-pop as a genre. Though her lack of knowledge in that particular industry turned out to be the perfect secret weapon.
One of the things I love about NewJeans is just how minimalist their music sounds. Thank you de Casier for writing and producing such a winner!
Outside of this newsletter, I have been chipping away on a radio documentary over the past few weeks. I’m happy to say it’s now live!
As someone who collects K-pop albums, I've started wondering about my consumption and impact on the environment. For CBC’s Day 6 (not the band!), I did a deep dive on bulk buying practices, streaming and interviewed K-pop fans about their own merch-buying practices.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Accountability is important to me, so please address corrections and concerns by sending me an email at bunnipopnewsletter@gmail.com. Continue the conversation by following Bunni Pop on Instagram and Twitter.