Not Just The Crowd, Other Artists Also Groove To Diljit Dosanjh At US Fest

Jaspreet Nijher (BOMBAY TIMES; April 19, 2023)

Diljit Dosanjh created history at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in Indio, California a day after Baisakhi, on April 15 by becoming the first India born artist to perform at that stage. Dressed in a mix of traditional Punjabi attire and modern accessories like yellow coloured gloves, his performance received rave reviews as people called it a fiery act. DJ Diplo was also seen dancing to Diljit’s tunes. Excerpts from a conversation with the singer-actor.

You created history and got the world talking about you being the first India-born artiste to perform at Coachella. Did you think your performance would get such appreciation?
Well, I was aware of the huge scope of Coachella. It was for the first time that this stage had heard Punjabi music. And the world was listening. A regional language musician, on that stage, was the only thing that I was aware of before the show. But how it panned out and its impact, wasn’t something I had anticipated.

You told us before the show that you will just go there as your natural self, sing in Punjabi and hope people like it. Did that happen?
I did what I always do in my shows, go with the flow. Of course, this was a bigger platform, not in magnitude, but scope. So I had to prepare before hand. But, five minutes before starting, it all got washed out (laughs). I think that turned out better because I was my natural self.

You said while performing that those who cannot follow the language just follow the vibe. Did that happen?
Music has no language, the world is made up of sound. If we like the sound, we vibe with it. I didn’t pay attention to who was listening to me and who wasn’t. But I knew that many people weren’t following my language, which is why I ensured that I said this on stage, though what I said was also in Punjabi! Honestly, I had prepared to say that in English but in that moment, I spoke in Punjabi. End moment pe Angrezi aayi hi nai meri bahar (laughs).

Why do you think among so many Indian artistes, you were selected for Coachella? How will you raise the bar beyond this?
How an Indian artiste gets represented on the global stage depends on his team. I have a strong team and Sonali (Diljit’s manager) is busy matching standards with the global music industry. I don’t concern myself with my business dealings etc; that is all her and the team’s doing. I have never really troubled myself with elaborate planning. If you do that, then you cannot enjoy the flow of life and that of music, and half your time is spent only planning the next milestone. I live in the moment and enjoy whatever that moment brings me. Rest everything just follows.