Ali Sethi undoubtedly created history today by debuting at Coachella, which happens to be one of the largest music festivals out there. The singer, along with Diljit Dosanjh, was this year’s lineup’s South Asian offering, making it a huge feat for not only Pakistan and his local fans, but South Asians seeking representation all over the world.
Clad in an all-black Texas cowboy-inspired ensemble, Sethi performed Pasoori, his global hit from last year’s Coke Studio Season 14, and drove the mainly-American crowd wild. However, when videos from his performance made rounds on social media today, the reactions from his fans here have been mixed at best.
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Let’s kickstart the reactions on a positive note. Many considered it a huge feat for a Pakistani artist to perform at such a grand scale and openly expressed their admiration for the artist and excitement for his performance. Some also compared it to Arooj Aftab’s Grammy win.
Ali Sethi with his mega hit Pasoori at Coachella. We always knew Pakistani music was special but after Arooj Aftab’s Grammy win it’s experiencing a moment internationally too https://t.co/dBCWZYplyl
— Issam Ahmed (@IssamAhmed) April 16, 2023
Proud proud moment♥️ ALI SETHI AT #COACHELLA2023 !!! THIS IS HUGE!! PASOORI TAKING OVER THE WORLD! PAKISTANI TAKE OVER ERAA#AliSethi @zulfiqarjkhan pic.twitter.com/RQdWHGTfip
— Toheed (@toheedx_) April 17, 2023
Arooj Aftab won a grammy, Ali Sethi performing at Coachella. This is the representation we needed.
Music from the land of NFAK, Noor Jahan and Mehdi Hasan going global!— Ariha Fatimah Arain (@arihafatimah) April 17, 2023
no cuz Ali Sethi is doing things no other Pakistani singer ever did. He is literally introducing Pakistani music on an international and global scale. https://t.co/rC2iQaExNv
— minhal⁵⁶ | pct stan acc (@minhalrashed) April 17, 2023
Sethi was also praised for pairing up with an Indian singer, Raja Kumari, to sing Shae Gill’s parts from the song, and presenting a united front between India and Pakistan.
“what we cannot do there we will do here” -ali sethi & raja kumari on coachella putting an indian and a pakistani on stage to sing an urdu/punjabi song together
— vandana (@vandanaiscool) April 16, 2023
Ali Sethi at #Coachella “What we cannot do there we will do here” and bringing Raja Kumari on stage is the Brown vibes we all need to heal. #AliSethi #Pasoori https://t.co/yHT0hfZGr9
— Maria Amir (@Beentherella) April 17, 2023
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Similarly, many were left unimpressed after watching Sethi live on their screens.
Ali Sethi was so underwhelming at Coachella but DILJIT DOSANJH
— ᴉ ʞ ᴉ ʞ (@mimiskirrel) April 17, 2023
Ali Sethi’s Coachella performance was quite meh if we’re being completely honest
— Rutaba | رُطابہ (@rtnvir) April 17, 2023
ali sethi sounds horrible in all the coachella clips
— Faizan. (@thoraoffbeat) April 17, 2023
I quite honestly mean no disrespect but Ali Sethi absolutely sucked at coachella I mean the crowd was dead, the singer was dead everyone was just waiting for it to be over it’s awful to watch
— SeasonOfTheWitch️ (@Lanaschild_) April 17, 2023
I don’t know man but Ali Sethi is not doing it for me anymore. Vibes are a bit off. No offence to anyone though
— Ayesha Noor (@khigirlinlhr) April 17, 2023
Didnt know I’d ever say this .. but changa bhala disappoint kia hai Ali Sethi ne.
— Soha (@SoA241) April 17, 2023
As a hugeeeee ali sethi fan it j broke my heart. Krna kya chah rha tha ?! Also the indian punjabi singer rocked it !! https://t.co/GLHqRMpDTy
— مریم (@maryamstoppedit) April 17, 2023
Many questioned why Shae Gill was not getting her due and deserved attention.
Ali Sethi and raja Kumari sound like shit singing pasoori at coachella.
Also, why is shae gill not getting any of the attention or invites?
— pakoda is tired (@stressedpakoda) April 17, 2023
Ali Sethi replacing Shae Gill for Pasoori at Coachella is just not right man. Who Tf is Raja Kumari? Justice for Shae is what we want
— Hass Razz (@hassrazz) April 17, 2023
Have you seen Sethi’s performance? Do you think underwhelming performances should be looked over if they are getting global representation at least? Share your thoughts with us.
