Despite lighting up the Coachella stage with his signature fusion of electronic dance music and cultural flair, Brazilian DJ Alok expressed growing unease about the increasingly uncertain landscape for international performers in the U.S.
"It's always been a struggle for Brazilians like me to secure a visa," Alok told Reuters backstage at the Southern California festival. "So in our case, it's not new. But for artists from Europe and elsewhere, the rules have definitely shifted."
Alok acknowledged feeling lucky to make it to the Coachella stage, as several international acts have recently been forced to cancel appearances due to visa complications. Among them was British singer FKA Twigs, who cited visa issues for pulling out of both Coachella 2025 and her entire North American tour.
The challenges extend beyond the music world. Under policies enacted by the Trump administration, student visas for pro-Palestinian activists have been abruptly revoked, and legal protections for over half a million people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have been rescinded. International musicians, Alok noted, are increasingly caught in the crossfire of shifting immigration rules.
British punk band UK Subs also reportedly faced visa denial en route to their LA Punk Invasion 2025 gig, as shared by band member Alvin Gibbs on Facebook in March.
Still, Alok refused to let the uncertainty dampen his performance. Known for integrating LED visuals and cutting-edge tech into his shows, he pushed his artistry further at Coachella—this time incorporating live dancers rather than relying on digital projections.
"This was the most challenging set I’ve done," he said. "I usually work with high-tech elements, but syncing live performers brought something incredibly human and powerful to the experience."
He emphasized the importance of preserving the soul of performance art in the face of rapid technological change. “Art is born from the soul,” he said, adding gratitude for guest vocalist Ava Max, who joined him during his set.
Alok, who rose to global fame with his 2016 hit “Hear Me Now,” is currently touring in support of his latest album "The Future is Ancestral"—a project that blends dance music with centuries-old indigenous Brazilian vocals, paying homage to his roots while pushing the boundaries of modern sound.