Vishal Dadlani calls Anuv Jain’s Jacob Collier performance 'embarrassing', sparks debate on live singing standards

Vishal Dadlani calls Anuv Jain’s Jacob Collier performance 'embarrassing', sparks debate on live singing standards

Singer Anuv Jain is facing sharp criticism after his appearance at Jacob Collier’s Mumbai concert drew widespread backlash online, prompting noted composer Vishal Dadlani to openly call the performance “embarrassing.” The incident took place on November 30 at Nesco Center in Goregaon East, where Collier performed as part of his Djesse Vol. 4 World Tour.

Jain joined Collier on stage to sing his hit Baarishen, a moment that initially excited fans but quickly turned into a flashpoint on social media. A video from the concert, now circulating widely, shows Jain performing while Collier accompanies him on the piano. Several users commented that the vocals sounded flat and off-pitch, particularly when contrasted with Collier’s precision. One user wrote, “The only mistake was thinking this pairing made sense,” while another remarked, “imperfect pitch meets perfect pitch.” A third comment read, “I cannot wrap my head around this!”

The criticism intensified when Vishal Dadlani weighed in. Commenting under the viral post, he wrote, “Is it necessary to keep doing embarrassing s***e like this? Is it part of some corporate mandate somewhere?” His statement immediately sparked debate, with many questioning the selection of performers at high-profile international concerts in India.

Dadlani’s remarks align with his earlier public criticism of weak live performances. In January, without naming anyone, he criticised a singer’s concert appearance through an Instagram Story, writing, “When you put a basic-to-bad singer in front of a large crowd on a large stage, all you’re doing is showing more people that the individual can’t really sing, and that sadly, systems within labels in India aren’t geared towards really promoting the best we have.” Calling such displays “embarrassing,” he said the problem affects “the country, the artiste, the public, as well as the scene.”

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The latest incident has revived questions about vocal training, quality control at live shows and the pressure on labels to feature commercially popular voices regardless of technical ability.

Jain, who has a loyal fanbase and is known for his mellow indie-pop style, has not yet responded to the criticism. Meanwhile, Collier, known worldwide for his flawless musicianship and collaborative performances, has not issued any comment on the reception of the Mumbai segment.

Vishal Dadlani, who began his career as the frontman of the electronic rock band Pentagram and later became one half of the Vishal–Shekhar composer duo, remains one of the most outspoken voices in the Indian music industry. With a track record that includes major film soundtracks such as Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Befikre and War, his comments often carry considerable weight.

As the debate continues, the episode has opened a broader discussion about performance standards in India’s rapidly expanding live music circuit, and whether commercial popularity should outweigh vocal preparedness on stage.