Brazilian DJ Alok fears visa removal for international artists in US
INDIO, California (Reuters) - Brazilian DJ Alok brought a beaming blend of electronic dance beats to the stage on Saturday at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival despite the growing fears of international artists about the future of performing in America.
"For me as a Brazilian, it's always been hard to get a visa. So, for us, it didn't change much," Alok told Reuters during an interview backstage at Coachella, held in Southern California.
"But, of course, for Europe and others, they changed the rules, right?" he added.
He heard about other Coachella performances being cancelled in 2025 due to visa issues and feels fortunate that he made it to the festival when other international artists could not.
In the first week of April, British singer FKA Twiggs, who was scheduled to perfom at Coachella, cancelled her performance.
She said that she was bowing out due to "visa issues" on the social media platform Instagram.
She also cancelled her entire North American tour.
With the Trump administration rapidly cancelling the international student visas of pro-Palestinian activists as well as revoking the legal status for 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, international music artists have also found that they are not immune.
In March, British punk rock band member of UK Subs, Alvin Gibbs, shared on the social media platform Facebook that they were allegedly denied entry into the United States while traveling to their performance at LA Punk Invasion 2025.
Despite evolving visa policies looming, the music producer Alok did not fret about the future during his set. He moved his music to the next level.
While Alok traditionally uses LED projections to create rows of artificial background dancers for his music sets, for his Coachella set, he evolved the performance with live performers dancing to his beats.
"It was very challenging. I'm very used to doing a lot of crazy stuff in the shows, very integrating with new technology, but this one for sure was the most difficult," Alok said.
We're dealing with human technology and the synchronizing. But it's also something beautiful because once we are connected in the same synergy, same purpose, we can do stuff that is extraordinary," he added, noting a desire to keep performance human instead leaning too much on artificial intelligence.
"Art is made by soul," the singer said, later adding his appreciation for his guest performer, American singer Ava Max.
Alok is best known for his 2016 single "Hear Me Now" and for his 2024 album, "The Future is Ancestral," which features nine dance tracks mixed with indigenous songs, some of which have been sung for centuries by Brazilian tribes.
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Personalization—custom portraits, engraved jewelry, curated gift baskets—defined gift fashion. How a gift looks has become just as important as what it is. Wrapping a gift is now a curated experience, and brands have capitalized on this. Trendy Wrapping Styles: Minimalist Chic : Kraft paper, twine, eucalyptus leaves. : Kraft paper, twine, eucalyptus leaves. Bold & Graphic : Patterned paper with statement ribbons. : Patterned paper with statement ribbons. Sustainable : Furoshiki (Japanese fabric wrapping), reusable bags. : Furoshiki (Japanese fabric wrapping), reusable bags. Luxury Wrap: High-end paper, embossed logos, wax seals. Unboxing experiences are often shared on social media, so presentation has become part of the gift itself. Nothing says 'I care' more than a gift tailored to the recipient. In today's gift fashion world, personalization is king. Trending Personalized Gifts: Custom Jewelry : Birthstone necklaces, name bracelets. : Birthstone necklaces, name bracelets. Portrait Art : Illustrated family portraits, pet drawings. : Illustrated family portraits, pet drawings. Monogrammed Accessories : Leather wallets, notebooks, robes. : Leather wallets, notebooks, robes. Experience Boxes: Curated wine tastings, book clubs, self-care kits. Companies like Etsy, Not On The High Street, and local artisans have gained popularity by offering bespoke gifting solutions. Gift fashions are also influenced by geography and culture. Western Holiday Seasons Christmas : Luxury beauty advent calendars, hot tech gadgets, cozy knitwear. : Luxury beauty advent calendars, hot tech gadgets, cozy knitwear. Valentine's Day : Flowers, chocolates, and increasingly personalized or experiential gifts. : Flowers, chocolates, and increasingly personalized or experiential gifts. Mother's/Father's Day: Handwritten notes, memory books, tech upgrades. Eastern Gifting Culture Chinese New Year : Red envelopes (hongbao), symbolic gifts (fruit, tea). : Red envelopes (hongbao), symbolic gifts (fruit, tea). Indian Festivals (Diwali, Rakhi) : Sweets, jewelry, traditional clothing. : Sweets, jewelry, traditional clothing. Japanese Traditions: Omiyage (souvenirs), intricately wrapped gifts. Gift fashions adapt to local customs, but global platforms like Amazon and Instagram are creating a more homogenized 'global gift fashion.' As environmental and ethical awareness grows, so does the demand for gifts that reflect those values. Eco-Friendly Gift Trends: Sustainable Products : Reusable water bottles, organic skincare, upcycled goods. : Reusable water bottles, organic skincare, upcycled goods. Zero-Waste Packaging : Compostable wrap, fabric gift bags. : Compostable wrap, fabric gift bags. Gifts That Give Back: Charitable donations, brands with social missions. Buyers today often ask: Is this gift aligned with my values? Gift fashions are also reflecting changes in social awareness. Gender-neutral and inclusive gifts are on the rise. Trendy Inclusive Gift Options: Self-care gifts for all genders LGBTQ+ pride-themed collections Books and games promoting diversity Fragrances and clothing Gifting is now less about stereotypes and more about honoring identity and uniqueness. The gifting industry is big business. Retailers, brands, and startups now focus heavily on 'gifting seasons.' There are entire departments and teams dedicated to gift merchandising, curated gift sets, and limited-edition collections. The Gifting Economy: Gift Boxes : Ready-to-gift solutions for convenience. : Ready-to-gift solutions for convenience. Subscription Services : Monthly 'surprises' as ongoing gifts. : Monthly 'surprises' as ongoing gifts. E-Gifting Platforms: Digital gift cards, online experiences. Companies are investing in data-driven gifting, using customer behavior to recommend trendy gifts. What's next in the world of gift fashion? AI-Driven Gifting Smart algorithms that curate gifts based on a recipient's digital footprint or past behavior. For example, Spotify gifts based on music taste or AI-curated book subscriptions. Virtual and AR Gifts With the rise of the metaverse, gifting may move into the digital realm—NFTs, digital art, virtual experiences. Hyper-Personalization DNA-based skincare gifts, astrological curation, or gifts based on your Enneagram or MBTI type. Hybrid Experiences Combining physical and digital—like sending a physical kit with a matching virtual workshop. Gift fashions are a dynamic reflection of our values, cultures, and aspirations. In a world increasingly dominated by fast trends, social media, and global commerce, gifting has become a fashion-forward expression of personality and taste. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
