In what has become a widely discussed event on social media, Indian-origin Canadian musician AP Dhillon, known for his chart-topping hit ‘Brown Munde,’ has stirred up a tempest of reactions following his antics at the Coachella Music Festival. During his set, Dhillon engaged in the classic rock ‘n’ roll gesture of smashing his guitar on stage, a move that has since sparked a wave of controversy.
This past Monday, Dhillon uploaded a video clip from his Coachella performance on his Instagram account, showing the moment the ‘Summer High’ singer fractures his guitar in a seeming peak of stage fervor. The caption accompanying the video simply stated, “Brown Munde have left the dessert,” apparently riddled with an unintentional typo.
While the act of destroying a musical instrument during a performance isn’t a new one—echoing the rituals of rock icons past—it was Dhillon’s adoption of this behavior that raised the ire of many online commentators, particularly those from his Indian fanbase. Critics on the Internet argued that such actions conflicted with Indian values, expressing disappointment and raising questions about the necessity and implications of incorporating such a Western rock performance trope by an artist associated with Indian culture.
A section of dismayed netizens was quick to voice disapproval and engage in digital discourse. One outspoken user admonished the singer, stressing the importance of respecting the instruments that facilitate an artist’s success, implying that the destruction was not only unnecessary but was Dhillon’s loss. Others took a more sarcastic route, with remarks like “Ban gaya cool?” (Did you become cool?), or directly questioning if Dhillon truly believed that shattering his guitar showcased him in a positive light.
The 23rd iteration of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where Dhillon’s controversial act took place, is held at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. Spanning two weekends from April 12-14 with a subsequent extension from April 19-21, the festival showcases a diverse array of artists. Performers gracing Coachella’s stages thus far have included the likes of Lana Del Ray, ATEEZ, J Balvin, and Grimes, each delivering their brand of musical brilliance to fans from all corners of the globe.
AP Dhillon’s journey to musical prominence has punctuated both the Indian and international music scenes. With an array of popular tunes such as ‘Excuses’, ‘Wo Noor’, and ‘Ma Balle’ under his belt, Dhillon has cemented his standing as a significant name in the music industry. Moreover, his collaboration ‘With You,’ featuring his girlfriend and actress Banita Sandhu, rapidly ascended to viral status among his supporters and music enthusiasts alike.
Adding to his multifaceted career portfolio, in the previous year, Dhillon made his way to India for the promotion of his documentary series ‘AP Dhillon: First Of A Kind’. Under the direction of Jay Ahmed, the series premiered on Prime Video on August 18, presenting a narrative on AP Dhillon’s—a.k.a. Amritpal Singh Dhillon—migration to Canada and his subsequent rise to stardom as a singer. The series aimed to provide a blueprint, or “roadmap,” for aspiring artists, offering them a cache of experiences to learn from and mistakes to evade.
The uproar following Dhillon’s guitar-breaking act raises broader questions about cultural expectations, the authenticity of artistic expression, and the limits of showmanship. As the situation continues to unfold, many await further responses and perhaps a more in-depth explanation from AP Dhillon regarding his bold gesture at one of the music industry’s most renowned festivals.
The incident and subsequent backlash underscore the complexity within the intersection of cultural identity, musical genres, and artist behavior on the global stage—a conversation that’s far from over.
(With inputs from Agencies)
