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Palestinian-Chilean Elyanna on What Fans Can Expect from Her Coachella 2023 Performance

Photo: Angelo D’Agostino. Vogue Arabia, March 2022

Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna is all set to take the stage at Coachella, the highly-anticipated annual music festival this year. The 20-year-old singer was recently announced in the lineup of the live Californian event’s 2023 edition which is set to take place on April 14-16 and 21-23.

Born Elian Amer Marjiya, Elyanna is known for bringing together Latin American and Middle Eastern sounds in her music that touches on love and self. “I’m challenged by unifying both of the worlds I exist in,” the singer previously shared with Vogue Arabia. “Having Arabic and American cultures reflected in my music is what allows me to create a new genre. I am proud that my sound represents our culture in a unique way that many have not heard before.” Elyanna will be sharing just that with a massive crowd and a new audience at one of the world’s most popular musical stages on April 15 and 22. In this year’s lineup, she is joined by some of the biggest international acts including Bad Bunny, Gorillaz, BlackPink, Rosalía, Frank Ocean, and Björk.

Ahead of the big day, Vogue Arabia caught up with Elyanna to learn all about her plans for what is set to be a milestone in the singer’s career.

How does it feel to be an Arab performing at Coachella?

I appreciate the diversity of artists performing at Coachella this year and I’m really grateful to be the first Arab singer to perform in Arabic at this huge festival. I don’t look at my performance from a personal perspective. I rather see it as an opportunity for me to support other Arab artists in general and to open new doors for them. I want to be their voice and show the world our culture. This is our time to shine!

Who are some of your favorite artists on the lineup?

I’m super excited to watch artists like Rozalía, Frank Ocean, and Kali Uchis. There are so many artists and cultures that I look forward to discovering at Coachella this year.

 

What can the audience expect from your performance?

I’m excited to represent all the Arab artists and to show the beauty of Arab culture and art to those who don’t know it. Our culture is so deep, authentic, and full of emotions and I want the whole world to know that.

I feel very free when performing so I promise the audience to be authentic and real. I will stay true to myself, to my roots, and to my culture.

They can also expect vocals, a lot of fun, energy, hips shaking, dancing, and a lot of emotions including pain and anger. Performances are beautiful because they allow artists to express their emotions in every song and I won’t hesitate to do so.

What kind of a look are you going to go for?

I prefer to keep that a surprise. 🙂

What are your music festival essentials?

A good outfit and good company are enough for me to have a fun and fulfilling experience.

What are your pre-performance rituals?

Before any performance, I make sure I’m surrounded by the people I love and trust and whom I’m comfortable around. People such as my friends, my team, and my family. I pray that everything goes well for the dancers, the band including the drummer, the guitarist, the key player, and myself.

I do not overthink! I overcome all my fears and just go for it!

Read Next: Elyanna Reveals the A-Team Steering Her to Explode Music Charts

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