Snoh Aalegra On Bringing Mystery—and Sparkle—to Coachella’s Stage

Snoh Aalegra knows how to command a stage, but last weekend at Coachella, the Iranian-Swedish singer was a highlight. With her smooth vocals and introspective lyrics, Aalegra was a tonal shift from the festival’s high octane headliners and her performance provided a soulful interlude that resonated with the audience in Indio, California. Singing along to hits like “I Want You Around” and “Neon Peach,” the crowd was captivated, and Aalegra enjoyed every moment. “It’s always a spiritual experience for me,” she shared post-event. “My highlight is being on stage and just doing my thing.”

Aalegra’s serene stage presence owes much to her thoughtfully crafted look. Together with help of makeup artist Cherish Brooke Hill and costume designer L.O.C.A., she sought to create a vibe that was “timeless yet futuristic.” A series of custom outfits were created for the sets she performed over the festival s two weekends. Each detail of the pieces was selected for maximum impact onstage. “It all goes hand in hand. The shiny vinyl, the glittery crystals, the lights, and the smoke all work together to bring a little extra drama as I sing my truth,” says Aalegra. “I like to keep stage design minimal with lights that speak to the soul and the perfect compliment for the crystals in my outfits to shine. When I’m on stage, I like to be elusive… one second, you see me very clearly, and the next second I go up in smoke. Sometimes all you see is a sparkling silhouette.”

That sense of mystery came through in the all-black ensemble Aalegra wore during the festival’s second weekend. A glossy black bolero worn over a crystal-studded bustier and matching high-waisted shorts, the look was sexy and visually arresting. Key details, like a single glove detailed with rhinestones, nodded to one of Aalegra’s pop heroes. “It somehow ended up looking like an exotic fusion of M.J. “Rock With you” and “Bad,” and I just love anything that reminds me of Michael Jackson,” says Aalegra. “There’s something about glitter and glare on a music stage; it just feels so right.”

Layers of shine make sense while performing, but during her free time Aalegra wanted to keep her clothes comfortable. “I had fits from Marine Serre, comfy sneakers, misbhv, hoodies and tracksuits from Palace for the chilly nights,” she says. The rest of her suitcase was devoted to vocal remedies. “One thing is for sure; Coachella will make you lose your voice,” says Aalegra. “A nightmare for me who’s going back on tour in a week!”

The only thing Aalegra wanted to avoid more than straining her voice was the festival style of the mid-aughts, a look she finds culturally appropriative and passé. Controlling her personal wardrobe was easy, but she was moved by the creativity of what she saw in the crowd. “In the past, festival style was not my favorite [due to] people dressing up in indigenous styles,” she explains. “Everyone was kind of doing the same thing back then. Now I feel like it has evolved into people expressing themselves and their personality in their outfits. Seeing everyone be free and just escape for a weekend is fun and refreshing.”

Below, the star takes Vogue along for her festival experience onstage and off-duty.