INDIO, California, April 12 (Reuters) – Brazilian DJ Alok delivered an energetic fusion of electronic dance rhythms during his Saturday performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, even as global artists grow increasingly concerned about the challenges of performing in the United States.

"As a Brazilian, securing a visa has always been tough," Alok shared in a backstage interview with Reuters at the Southern California event. "So, honestly, not much has changed for us."

"But it's clear," he continued, "that visa policies have shifted for artists from Europe and elsewhere."

Alok is aware that some artists slated to perform at Coachella in 2025 have already pulled out due to visa complications, and he feels grateful to have made it to the stage when others have been unable to.

Just earlier this month, British artist FKA Twigs, originally booked to perform at Coachella, announced her withdrawal.

She cited "visa issues" in a post on Instagram explaining why she would no longer appear at the festival.

Her cancellation extended to her entire North American tour.

In light of the recent actions under the Trump administration — including the revocation of student visas for pro-Palestinian demonstrators and stripping protected immigration status from over 530,000 individuals from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela — foreign musicians are feeling the impact too.

British punk band UK Subs encountered their own setback in March when Alvin Gibbs posted on Facebook that they were reportedly denied entry to the U.S. en route to their LA Punk Invasion 2025 show.

Despite the tightening visa landscape, Alok remained focused on elevating his performance. Rather than let worry distract him, he leaned into innovation and artistry.

Known for using LED backgrounds to simulate crowds of animated dancers, Alok chose a different path for Coachella — integrating live dancers into his set for a more organic connection with the audience.

"It was incredibly demanding," Alok admitted. "I'm no stranger to pushing the envelope with tech in my shows, but this project proved to be the most difficult by far."

"You're not just syncing lights or visuals anymore; you're coordinating with real people. And there's something powerful in that — once we're aligned, we have the capacity to create something truly amazing," he said, explaining his commitment to maintaining a human element in his art instead of shifting too heavily toward artificial intelligence.

"Art comes from the soul," he reflected, also expressing gratitude for joining forces with American pop artist Ava Max during his set.

Alok rose to international fame with his 2016 hit “Hear Me Now” and recently released a 2024 album titled “The Future is Ancestral,” a collection of nine dance tracks that incorporate age-old indigenous Brazilian chants.