South Korea-based Japanese girl group XG made an unforgettable mark at Coachella 2025, delivering a high-energy performance on the Sahara Stage on April 13, 2025. As the only Japanese act in the festival’s lineup, the seven-member group—Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Harvey, Juria, Maya, and Cocona—captivated a massive crowd with their live vocals, precise choreography, and bold fashion. Their 55-minute set, which trended worldwide, solidified their rise as a global music force.
XG’s debut performance began with the cinematic “HESONOO + X-GENE” from their 2023 mini-album NEW DNA, setting an explosive tone. Dressed in custom black-and-white snakeskin outfits with red gloves, they transformed the Sahara Stage into their signature “wolf den,” as described by Bandwagon. The crowd’s chants of “XG! XG! XG!” from their fandom, ALPHAZ, echoed before the set, amplifying the electric atmosphere. Chisa hyped the audience, shouting:
“What’s up, Coachella?”
The setlist featured viral hits like “WOKE UP”, an all-rap track that topped YouTube trending charts in 19 countries, and “GRL GVNG”, the first Japanese song to hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart powered by X. “LEFT RIGHT”, a milestone as the first Japanese girl group track to chart on U.S. Mediabase Top 40 Radio Airplay for 13 weeks, had the crowd singing along. Their newest single, “IN THE RAIN”, released April 11, 2025, faced windy conditions but showcased their vocal finesse and adaptability.
A standout moment came with a stripped-down piano rendition of “IS THIS LOVE”, highlighting XG’s vocal depth. The performance went viral, generating over 127,000 posts on X, with fans praising its emotional delivery. Vogue Singapore noted that the set proved XG’s ability to shine without relying on high-octane visuals, emphasizing their raw talent.
XG’s live vocals became a focal point, with some questioning their flawless delivery. ELLE Japan confirmed on April 15, 2025, that the group sang live, noting:
“The overwhelming singing ability delivered completely live was met with amazement on social media, with some even raising suspicions that the singer was lip-syncing.”
Chisa addressed doubters on X, stating:
“Never believe in lip service theories!!!!”
Fans echoed this sentiment, with one writing, “XG’s vocals are insane! You can hear their breathing, so stable even with that choreography!” Another posted, “Don’t want to see anyone doubting their live vocals anymore. XG is the real deal.” The group’s dancers, led by choreographer Sienna Lalau (known for work with BTS), kept the energy high during a remix interlude, allowing XG to transition into vibrant red-and-white outfits symbolizing the Japanese flag.
BLACKPINK’s Lisa was spotted dancing in the crowd, boosting XG’s visibility. Her support, combined with the set trending in Japan, the U.S., Mexico, Malaysia, and Weibo’s Top 5 searches, helped XG shed the “nugu” (unknown) label. Sportskeeda reported that #XGCHELLA trended globally at #5 on X, with fans raving:
“XG probably the best performance at Coachella: they refused to use lipsync or back vocals, they even sang ad-libs live.”
“The props, the stage, the dance break, the outfits, the storytelling?! 1000/10.”
While BLACKPINK’s Jennie drew significant attention with her solo set, sparking a chart resurgence, XG carved out their own spotlight. Their “SHINOBI” dance break, a Coachella-exclusive, showcased their synchronized power moves, earning praise from Billboard as one of Day 3’s best moments. OSEN quoted XG reflecting on their debut:
“This is a stage we have dreamed of since our debut. We feel a renewed determination that this is just the real beginning.”
Formed by Xgalx in 2022, XG—short for “Xtraordinary Girls”—has built a reputation for boundary-breaking hip-hop and R&B. Their second EP, AWE (November 2024), debuted at #3 on Oricon and Billboard Japan’s Hot Albums charts, reaching #12 on Apple Music’s Worldwide Album Chart. Their ongoing XG 1st WORLD TOUR: The First HOWL, spanning 47 shows across 18 countries, has drawn 170,000 fans, with a finale set for Tokyo Dome on May 14, 2025.
XG’s Coachella debut, livestreamed on YouTube, marked a historic first for a Japanese girl group headlining the Sahara Stage. Despite windy challenges, their professionalism shone through, with Maya declaring:
“We’re so happy to finally be here at Coachella! Let’s have fun tonight!!”
Fans on X celebrated, with one writing, “XG owned that stage like veterans. Historic moment for Japanese artists!” Another added, “I wasn’t familiar with XG before this, but that GRL GVNG performance was fire! New fan here.” The group’s fashion, blending red and white, was lauded, with a fan noting, “XG’s outfits are a fashion show—always on point with the concept.”
XG is set to return to the Sahara Stage on April 20, 2025, for Coachella’s second weekend, with expectations high for another show-stopping performance. Their new single, “MILLION PLACES”, drops May 14, 2025, coinciding with their tour finale. The latest update confirms XG is preparing for their Seattle show on April 17, 2025, as part of their world tour.
