AP Dhillon has pulled out of weekend two of Coachella following the guitar smash backlash he received.
The Indo-Canadian artist delivered a set on the Sahara stage at the festival in Indio, California last Sunday (April 14). During his set, Dhillon destroyed his metallic gold ESP LTD Kirk Hammett V guitar during a dramatic part of the show. Following his set, he seemingly compared himself to the late Kurt Cobain on social media.
Now, the musician has pulled out of his scheduled second slot at the festival’s upcoming second weekend, citing a “scheduling conflict.”
Due to a scheduling conflict AP Dhillon is unable to join us in the desert for Weekend 2
— Coachella (@coachella) April 17, 2024
Dhillon’s 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.
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!”
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, Grimes has issued a promise that she’ll be well-prepared for this weekend’s show following her rough outing at Coachella last weekend.
Elsewhere, 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.
