AP Dhillon is a Punjabi-Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer who has quickly risen to fame with his unique style of music that fuses Punjabi vocals and lyrics with Western pop, rap, and R&B influences. With hit songs like “Brown Munde,” “Excuses,” and “Summer High,” Dhillon has developed a dedicated fanbase not just among Punjabi listeners but worldwide.
As Dhillon’s popularity has grown, many fans have been eagerly wondering if he will embark on a concert tour to perform his infectious music live. Touring would allow Dhillon to connect with fans globally and expand his reach even further. However, as a relatively new artist, there has not been official confirmation yet on Dhillon touring plans.
In this article, we’ll explore the evidence around whether AP Dhillon is likely to announce a tour soon based on his recent career trajectory. Key questions include:
Is Dhillon’s success level high enough yet to support a profitable tour?
While Dhillon has achieved remarkable success with streaming and downloads, touring requires significant upfront investments and organizational coordination. For many artists, it takes time to build up enough dedicated fans willing to purchase tickets and justify booking large venues across cities or countries. However, as we’ll explore, Dhillon’s meteoric rise suggests he may be primed for taking his show on the road.
Has Dhillon made statements about wanting to tour or build up his live performance skills?
Touring is a major commitment for any musician. Understanding Dhillon’s own intentions around performing live gives insight into whether booking a tour is part of his current plans. We’ll look at what he has said in interviews about his live performance goals.
Who has Dhillon collaborated with recently, and do they tour extensively?
Artists that Dhillon has worked with, like Shinda Kahlon, Gminxr, and Gurinder Gill, may provide a window into his interest in touring if they actively tour themselves. If his collaborators view live shows as a key part of building their brands, Dhillon may be more likely to join them.
By digging into these questions, we can determine if the stars are aligning for AP Dhillon to announce an exciting concert tour soon. Let’s look at the key evidence.
Examining Dhillon’s Rising Popularity and Fanbase Growth
While AP Dhillon is still early in his career, his success trajectory has been steep, which suggests he’s developing the fanbase size needed to sell tickets and fill venues. Some key metrics demonstrating his growth:
Streams and Downloads
– Dhillon’s songs have been streamed over 500 million times on Spotify alone. His top tracks like “Excuses” and “Brown Munde” have each amassed over 150 million streams.
– On YouTube, his music videos have been viewed hundreds of millions of times. “Excuses” has over 180 million views currently.
– Dhillon’s album “Back Home” has over 1 billion streams globally across platforms.
– He averages over 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, indicating a large following actively streaming his catalog. This listener base would make touring viable in many markets worldwide.
Chart Performance
– “Excuses” reached #1 on Canada’s Top Hits Spotify chart and #8 globally. “Brown Munde” also hit #1 in Canada.
– His tracks have topped charts including the Worldwide iTunes Song Chart, the Global YouTube Music Videos Chart, and India’s iTunes.
– In August 2022, Dhillon became the most streamed Indian artist globally on Spotify, with over 5 billion streams.
Awards and Recognition
– In 2022, Dhillon won the Breakthrough Male Artist award at the Brit Asia Music Awards.
– He was nominated for several awards at the 2022 People’s Choice Awards, including Favorite Breakout Artist.
– Apple Music named him their 2022 Breakthrough Artist in India.
Dhillon’s impressive streaming numbers, chart dominance, and industry awards indicate he has cultivated a sizable international fanbase in a short period. This popularity gives him the foundation needed to sell arena and stadium tour tickets.
Dhillon’s Statements About Live Performances
In interviews, AP Dhillon has directly addressed questions about touring plans and performing live:
Wants to Focus on Production Skills First
In a 2022 interview with Rolling Stone India, Dhillon stated:
“I’m focused on improving my production skills right now, but live shows are definitely something I want to do. I want to get good, though, and I’m working on it.”
This indicates he strongly intends to tour eventually but wants to develop his abilities as a live performer before committing to concerts. Prioritizing production aligns with his track record as a producer first.
Started With Small Shows in India
According to an interview with Vulture, Dhillon played a string of smaller club shows in India in late 2022.
While these performances were brief residencies rather than a proper tour, it suggests Dhillon is starting to gain live experience. The shows gave him the chance to test fan response and build skills in preparation for bigger touring endeavors.
Intends to Tour in Late 2023 or 2024
In an October 2022 interview withHotNewHipHop, Dhillon gave the timeline:
“A world tour is definitely on the horizon. I’m thinking towards the end of 2023 or early 2024.”
This statement directly confirms Dhillon plans to launch a full-scale world tour in the near future once he feels ready as a live performer.
Dhillon’s Collaborators and Their Touring Habits
AP Dhillon frequently works with other artists on his tracks. Do these collaborators actively play concerts and tour, potentially influencing Dhillon’s own live show plans?
Gminxr
Gminxr is a creative partner on many of Dhillon’s hits. While he has performed live occasionally, he has not done extensive touring himself yet.
Gurinder Gill
Gurinder Gill features on Dhillon’s breakout hit “Excuses” and other tracks. Gill has done some touring, which demonstrates firsthand to Dhillon the concert lifestyle.
Shinda Kahlon
Producer Shinda Kahlon co-writes Dhillon’s songs and joins him on stage. Kahlon has significant touring experience spanning Europe and Canada that could inspire Dhillon to plan his own tour.
Sidhu Moose Wala
Though not a regular collaborator, the late Sidhu Moose Wala worked with Dhillon on the hit “Daddy.” As a touring superstar, Moose Wala showed Dhillon the excitement of live concerts at scale.
Overall, Dhillon’s collaborators seem split between those focused just on studio work versus artists like Kahlon actively gigging and touring. The touring experience some bring likely makes Dhillon more open to a tour in the future.
Fan Demand for Live Performances
Beyond his own statements, one of the strongest indicators that AP Dhillon will tour comes from relentless fan interest. Across social media, fans constantly express excitement at the prospect of seeing Dhillon perform live:
Platform | Sample Fan Comments |
---|---|
“Need AP Dhillon to announce a tour asap” | |
“When are you coming to [city]?? Dying to see you live” | |
YouTube | “Come to Brazil!!! Would love to see a show” |
“Any news on a US tour? His music would be insane experienced live” |
This overwhelming fan demand demonstrates booking a tour would capitalize on Dhillon’s hype at the perfect moment. Venues will sell out quickly the second dates are announced based on passionate interest.
Touring Logistics and Readiness
While eagerness for a tour is clear, it’s also a major operational undertaking requiring coordination. Factors like Dhillon’s team size, access to resources, and logistical preparedness will impact tour readiness:
Management and Agency Support
– Dhillon is managed by Rob Lavoie, who has significant experience managing global touring artists through his company Sherpa Management.
– Booking agency WME also has extensive touring expertise to efficiently plan routing, promotion, and sponsorships.
Band and Production
– Dhillon’s core creative team of collaborators like Gminxr and Gurinder Gill could form his touring band.
– Backing dancers and theatrical production would need to be arranged and rehearsed but are completely feasible.
Funding
– With billions of streams and label backing, Dhillon likely has the capital needed to finance a tour covering costs like booking venues, travel, and stage production.
– Sponsorship deals could provide additional funding in exchange for branding opportunities.
The team and support system Dhillon has built so far indicates he has laid the groundwork required to operationally execute a tour anytime he decides to move forward.
Setlist Potential
With two albums and multiple hit singles already released, AP Dhillon has plenty of material to build an exciting tour setlist that traverses his catalog:
– Hit singles like “Excuses,” “Brown Munde,” and “Summer High” would generate energy as surefire crowd-pleasers.
– Fan favorites like “Favorite”, “Rusdi Naal”, and “Memo” would allow deeper album cuts.
– Punjabi classics and covers could let Dhillon showcase his heritage.
– Special guests and collaborators would enhance the show with additional star power.
– Room for improvisation and live remixing gives each night a unique feel.
Dhillon’s blend of sounds also enables diverse setlist sequencing to take the audience through different moods. One moment could feature an infectious dance-pop anthem, while the next goes dark and moody with urban-flavored trap. This musical variety will keep crowds enthralled from start to finish.
Potential Touring Schedule
Though AP Dhillon has yet to announce formal tour dates, we can speculate on what a touring schedule might look like based on his popularity across regions:
Asia
The tour would likely begin in India where Dhillon’s breakout first took off. Multiple dates in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore could quickly sell out large venues. Other parts of Asia like Singapore, Jakarta, or Seoul could also draw big crowds.
United Kingdom
The UK’s large South Asian diaspora would generate huge demand for shows in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. The O2 Arena or Wembley Stadium could potentially host his London stop.
United States and Canada
Major markets like New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Houston would be prime tour stops in North America. Both theater-sized and arena venues could be booked based on demand.
Australia
Markets like Sydney and Melbourne with vibrant Indian populations would welcome the chance to see Dhillon live.
Continental Europe
Given the Punjab region’s proximity to Europe, cities like Berlin, Paris, Oslo, and Amsterdam represent opportunities to connect with overseas fans.
A world tour hitting the above markets would allow Dhillon to reach fans nearly everywhere his music has resonated. Longer term, even more extensive global touring seems feasible as his fame continues rising.
Potential Opening Acts
The opening acts selected to warm up crowds before Dhillon takes the stage also provide valuable exposure for up-and-coming artists:
Gminxr
As Dhillon’s close collaborator, Gminxr would make sense joining the tour in a supporting role. Fans would enjoy seeing their chemistry in person.
Gurinder Gill
Gurinder Gill could also be involved as an opener with a brief set featuring songs like “Excuses” to energize the audience.
IMANU
The Dutch-Indian DJ duo IMANU has a sound similar to Dhillon’s blending Punjabi and electronic influences. Their high-energy set would bring good vibes.
Local Talent
Emerging local Indian artists could open each show, providing a platform for rising voices in relevant regional scenes.
Carefully curated opening acts that complement Dhillon would ensure audiences are excited before the headliner even takes the stage. For the supporting artists, the opportunity could significantly further their careers.
How a Tour Would Boost Dhillon’s Career
Beyond fulfilling fan demand, a world tour offers AP Dhillon several key benefits:
Unleashing New Creativity
The experience of performing his hits live nightly may inspire Dhillon creatively and uncover new ways to enhance his songs. This could fuel fresh material for upcoming releases.
Improving His Live Show Abilities
As Dhillon himself noted, touring will help strengthen and polish his skills as a live performer. He will become more versatile and comfortable on stage.
Connecting Deeper With Fans
The tour would allow Dhillon to form memories and bonds with his fans that cannot be replicated just through streaming. These emotional connections could make the fanbase even more loyal.
Reaching New Markets
Traveling and performing in cities worldwide will expose Dhillon’s music to new potential audiences unfamiliar with his work so far, enabling wider growth.
Building His Brand
The tour would focus global attention on Dhillon as an artist to watch and further legitimize him as a rising star. The boost in profile and name recognition would be significant.
Overall, the benefits for both Dhillon’s career and his connection with fans make launching a tour now underappreciated in his career the logical next step as his stardom continues ascending.
Conclusion
Based on Dhillon’s soaring popularity, his team’s capabilities, strong fan demand, and the career boost concert touring can provide, all signs point to AP Dhillon officially announcing an extensive world tour in the near future.
While COVID-related delays earlier in his rise meant postponing live plans, Dhillon now appears to have all the elements in place for a highly successful global run of shows as early as late 2023 or 2024. Cities worldwide are eager to sing along with Dhillon’s hits and experience his distinctive music in person. When the tour becomes official, tickets will likely sell out nearly instantly as fans leap at the opportunity. For an artist still in his upswing, intensive world touring can propel Dhillon’s stardom to even greater heights.