Pop Star's Tribute to Virat Kohli Creates Buzz at Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Canadian pop sensation Shawn Mendes delivered an electrifying 90-minute performance on the opening night of Lollapalooza India 2025 at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Saturday. Apart from captivating the massive audience with his chart-topping hits, Mendes won hearts by expressing support for India's cricket team ahead of their crucial ICC Men’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.
Mendes began his set at around 8:30 PM, initially stepping onto the stage in casual attire. However, in a delightful surprise, he quickly switched into the iconic blue Indian cricket jersey featuring 'Virat' and the number '18' on the back, paying homage to star batter Virat Kohli. This thoughtful tribute instantly sparked excitement among the crowd, which erupted into enthusiastic chants of "Kohli…Kohli…Kohli".
“India, I know you have a match tomorrow. Good luck. I hope it goes well,” Mendes told the cheering crowd, acknowledging India's much-anticipated cricket clash scheduled for Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium.
Mendes Enthralls Fans with Hits and Cultural Fusion
Shawn Mendes energized fans with popular tracks like "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," "Treat You Better," "Señorita," "Why," and "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind." The audience passionately sang along and swayed to the beats, making the atmosphere vibrant and unforgettable.
One of the standout moments of Mendes' performance was a unique cultural fusion. Demonstrating his deep admiration for Indian music and culture, he introduced a mesmerizing collaboration with two talented Indian musicians—a tabla player and a sitar player—blending the sounds seamlessly with his own guitar.
"No matter where I go, music is the one thing that unites people in a beautiful way," Mendes said to the ecstatic crowd. "I've always had such love and admiration for India's music and its musicians. India's culture is magnificent. Tonight, I wanted to do something special for you guys," he added, earning widespread applause.
Throughout his set, spectacular fireworks illuminated the night sky multiple times, further enhancing the lively ambiance. Mendes maintained high energy, encouraging fans to clap and sing along, ensuring the excitement never waned.
As he concluded his memorable performance, Mendes affectionately addressed his Mumbai audience with "Dher sara pyaar, Mumbai!" (Lots of love, Mumbai!) and bid farewell with a heartfelt "See you, namaste, bye-bye."
Fans Torn Between Cricket Final and Music Festival
Reflecting on the clash of events, a fan humorously remarked, "Galat time sab ho gaya ek saath," capturing the sentiments of many who felt divided between attending the music festival and eagerly awaiting Sunday's cricket final.
Stellar Performances Light Up Lollapalooza India 2025
In addition to Mendes' captivating finale, the opening day of the festival featured stellar performances by international acts, including rock band Glass Animals, German DJ Zedd, and American musicians Cory Wong and Isabel LaRosa. The event also showcased vibrant performances by Indian artists Jonita Gandhi, Dot., Sahil Vasudeva, Frizzell D’Souza, Dhanji, and Spyryk.
BookMyShow Live, the experiential division of BookMyShow, continues its successful partnership with global producers Perry Farrell and C3 Presents, marking its third consecutive year as promoter and co-producer for Lollapalooza India's edition.
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