AP Dhillon has responded to criticism over him smashing his guitar at Coachella 2024, while comparing himself to Kurt Cobain.
READ MORE: Coachella 2024: surprises, technical difficulties and a distinct lack of vibes
The Indo-Canadian artist delivered a set on the Sahara stage at the festival in Indio, California last Sunday (April 14).
Dhillon has since shared footage of himself destroying his metallic gold ESP LTD Kirk Hammett V guitar during a dramatic part of the show. He honoured the late Indian rapper/singer Sidhu Moose Wala by performing ‘Brown Munde’.
However, his act of smashing his instrument led to widespread condemnation from fans. One user wrote: “The guitar that has provided you with life, love, peace, success, and respect – you end up breaking it! Not cool at all.”
Another said: “Pop artists break guitars to look cool. They try to imitate rock/metal artists not realising that they break their guitars out of the adrenaline rush and intensity of playing the instrument.
“It always hurts to see the poor instrument face the wrath of these wannabes. In India, we pray to the instrument […] This is pathetic. Do better AP.”
Someone else posted: “Bro doesn’t have one song where he needs to do any of that.” Elsewhere, a follower simply asked: “Seriously?” Another comment read: “Smashed the guitar after playing open chords on a CAPO!”
Dhillon later responded to the backlash by sharing a video of himself breaking the guitar on stage along with a clip of Cobain doing the same – seemingly comparing himself to the late Nirvana frontman.
He captioned the upload: “The media is controlled and I’m out of control.”
But this only fuelled further criticism, with one person writing: “You aren’t a ROCK singer, so don’t behave [like] one and don’t be a wannabe. First, bring your music to that level and then do the things others are doing. Seriously such a lame excuse to justify your act.”
A second comment read: “Sorry to say; but you stand nowhere to Cobain.”
Many people agreed that Dhillon’s music can’t be compared to Cobain’s material with Nirvana.
One said: “He played pure rock and grunge with some badass riffs! Whereas you played some basic G family chords on capo with on the 3 fret! There’s a difference. Moreover, one should never forget their roots.”
Another posted: “Bro is not Kurt Cobain.” Dhillon was also called “cringe”, while others noted that the artist is not featured on the line-up for Coachella 2024’s second instalment this weekend.
Some fans suggested that the stunt was a bid to seek justice for Sidhu Moose Wala. The late musician was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jawaharke in Punjab’s Mansa district on May 29, 2022. He was 28 years old.
However, one follower reasoned (via WION): “But Sidhu Moosewala would have also respected the musical instruments, being an artist, if he was here to see this. So before making loose statements like ‘media is controlled’, you better learn some good manners and values, buddy. God bless.”
In other news, Kid Cudi has joined the Sahara stage bill for weekend two of Coachella 2024.
Read NME’s overall review of Coachella 2024 weekend one here, including Doja Cat’s five-star headline performance, a breakout set from Chappell Roan, and a disgruntled Damon Albarn.
Check back here for the latest news, reviews and more from Coachella 2024.
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