Is Diljit Dosanjh's Success Linked To British Columbia?
After Amar Singh Chamkila's success, Indian music sensation Diljit Dosanjh is all set to make history at B.C. Place today (April 27) as he kicks off the Canadian leg of his Dil-Luminati tour. Dosanjh, a celebrated name in Punjabi music and film, will be the first Punjabi artist to headline the biggest venues across Canada, starting today in British Columbia.
2 DAYS TO GO 😇
— DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) April 25, 2024
Witness HISTORY IN THE MAKING 🙏🏽
BC PLACE STADIUM 🏟️ VANCOUVER pic.twitter.com/ineL5iZIiy
Dosanjh's performance at B.C. Place is anticipated to be the largest Punjabi music concert ever held outside of India, with an expected sell-out crowd of 54,000 attendees. This milestone follows his historic 2023 performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where he was the first Indian artist to headline.
The connection between Dosanjh’s global fame and British Columbia is significant, notably through his collaborations with local Canadian talent. Surrey-based music producer Aneil Singh Kainth, known professionally as Intense, has been instrumental in crafting some of Dosanjh’s biggest hits, including “Lover” from his acclaimed album "MoonChild Era."
This Saturday BC PLACE STADIUM
🏟️ Vancouver
DIL-LUMINATI TOUR 😈
Witness HISTORY In The Making 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/250AEnMFhp
Intense describes how the cultural shift and the influx of students from India have helped Punjabi music gain a strong foothold in the West. "Growing up, I listened to both Western rock bands like AC/DC and traditional Indian music. Merging these sounds seemed like a natural step," Intense explains. This fusion has allowed Punjabi music to compete globally, with streaming numbers on par with Western music.
Historically, music careers like Intense's would require relocation to India or the UK, but that’s changing. Surrey has emerged as a central hub for this innovative music scene, thanks to artists like Intense and Juno award-winning singer Karan Aujla. Intense credits his 2016 collaboration with Guru Randhawa on the track “Suit” as a pivotal moment for Punjabi music in Canada.
The growth and influence of Punjabi music in Canada highlight not only the talent of artists like Dosanjh and Intense but also the cultural bridges being built through music. This weekend's concert at B.C. Place is not just a performance; it's a celebration of how far and wide Punjabi music has travelled.