AP Dhillon Demands Justice for Sidhu Moose Wala At Coachella 2024
The Vancouver-based artist paid tribute to the late Punjabi-Canadian music icon, whose 2022 murder in India remains unsolved. Performing with collaborator Shinda Kahlon, Dhillon also closed his debut set at the major California music festival with a classic rock star move.
AP Dhillon pays tribute to Sidhu Moose Wala during his Coachella debut
During his debut Coachella performance, Punjabi-Canadian star AP Dhillon paid tribute to a fallen icon.
As Dhillon performed his hit "Brown Munde," a message took over the screen behind him in all capitals: "JUSTICE FOR SIDHU MOOSEWALA."
Sidhu Moose Wala, the influential Punjabi artist, actor and politician, was shot to death in India in May 2022. Based in Brampton, Moose Wala helped pave the way for Punjabi music in Canada, and continues to chart two years after his death. Artists like Dhillon and Moose Wala's "Mera Na" collaborator Burna Boy are making sure his legacy is recognized while his murder remains unsolved.
The message was a powerful moment in a strong performance from Dhillon, who brought back-up dancers, a live band, and collaborator Shinda Kahlon to the Coachella stage on Sunday, April 14. (There was no surprise appearance from U.K. grime star Stormzy, though, who recently stepped into the studio with Dhillon for "Problems Over Peace." Maybe next weekend?)
Dhillon played guitar and performed a range of hits, from breezy pop songs like "Summer High" to hard-hitting hip-hop tracks like "Drip," accompanied by stormy visuals featuring deep red lightning strikes and ominous tornados.
"How's the California Punjabis doing baby?" a hyped-up Kahlon asked to a round of cheers.
By Dhillon's final songs, soothing orange mountains took over the visuals as he dueted with Kahlon on the sweetly melodic "With You." To bring it home, Dhillon transitioned from the moody "Insane" to a bombastic horn-fuelled outro, taking his guitar off his shoulders and slamming it onto the ground for a final rock star moment before he exited the stage.
Dhillon is the second artist to perform an all-Punjabi set at Coachella, following last year's historic debut by Diljit Dosanjh. (Dosanjh is making history again this month with the largest Punjabi music concert outside of India.)
He wasn't the only Canadian artist at Coachella this year. Grimes played a DJ set that went viral for her technical difficulties, while Nav brought out producer Metro Boomin. Justin Bieber, meanwhile, made a surprise appearance to perform with Tems.
Dhillon will perform again at Coachella weekend two this Sunday, April 21. In the meantime, check out a clip from his first performance below.
