By DONNA BALANCIA
INDIO – Hayley Kiyoko, LP and Princess Nokia, took charge at Coachella Sunday, playing to big crowds and bringing their songs of inclusion into the spotlight.
Beyonce and Cardi B. may have been the ones with the publicity and hype, but the gals who sing about love in the lesbian world serve a long-underserved audience. Kiyoko, LP and Princess Nokia are lesbians who inspire by bringing their real-life experiences to a powerful fan base.
Kiyoko, LP and Princess Nokia Sing to Proud Audience
The crowds for these women were overwhelming and it’s no little wonder that advertisers are starting to take heed of this all-important demographic. It’s a new era for the gay community as these young women musicians help lead the important charge to relate to disenfranchised young adults.
The “Lesbian Jesus,” Hayley Kiyoko, brought down the house as her fans, some draped in pride flags, cheered her every move on stage. Surrounded by a troupe of dancers, the young singer-dancer said she was grateful to be at Coachella.
Kiyoko called playing Coachella “crazy,” because until recently she only played to rooms of 15 people or so, she said. Kiyoko has a big lesbian following, mainly because of her cheeky songs like “Pretty Girl,” which has more than a million views on YouTube. Kiyoko’s new album is Expectations, which has been greatly anticipated by her fans.
Princess Nokia’s Story
Princess Nokia, whose inner city exploits started an entire new breed of rap, said she was proud of the fans coming to see her performance.
“This is to celebrate gay folk, celebrate LGBTYA, this is to celebrate all of your trans brothers and sisters, celebrate fans and love and kindness and expression,” she said during her high-energy set. ‘And to represent all of us and all the colors of rainbows and intersections and cultures we all represent and the brown future and the female future.”
She launched into a version of “It’s Mine” and kept the crowd in the cool Sonora stage on their feet with her Sunday evening show.
LP Conveys the Message of Strength through Diversity
LP fills stadiums in Europe and around the world, but she took time to play at Coachella for the fans in the early afternoon Sunday. She is down to earth with no pretentions, thanking the fans for coming out to see her at such an early time (1:35 p.m. Mojave)
“I have never seen her play and I’m really excited,” said fan Marcy Kenton. “She has a great message and it’s amazing how that big sound comes out of such a little body.”
The petite singer, who is in a relationship with LA’s own Lauren Ruth Ward, took time to thank her Coachella fans and easily shifted from playing guitar to ukelele during an uplifting set.
