INDIO, Calif. (Diya TV) — The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival pulsed with the vibrant sounds of South Asia this weekend, as Indo Warehouse, the New York-based DJ-producer duo of Kunal Merchant and Armaan Gupta, known professionally as Kahani, delivered a show-stopping debut that transformed the desert into a global desi rave.
While superstar Lady Gaga headlined the main stage, Indo Warehouse stole the spotlight with a high-energy set that blended deep house and techno beats with the unmistakable sounds of Punjabi dhol, Gujarati Garba, and Indian classical melodies. Dancers in colorful Punjabi and Gujarati attire spun, clapped, and jumped in perfect rhythm, turning the desert into a kaleidoscope of South Asian celebration.
The evening kicked off with Bengaluru-born rapper and songwriter Hanumankind, who lit up the stage with powerful, bass-heavy tracks accompanied by live dhol players, electrifying the early crowd. But as the night deepened, Indo Warehouse elevated the energy, delivering what festival-goers dubbed “IndoChella.”
“From our roots to the desert, Coachella Weekend 1 was more than a show, it was a statement,” the duo wrote on Instagram following their set. “Thank you for feeling every beat with us. The journey continues.”
Even actress Priyanka Chopra joined the celebration online, sharing reels of both Indo Warehouse and Hanumankind on her Instagram Story, applauding the artists for spotlighting South Asian culture on one of the world’s most renowned stages.
Indo Warehouse isn’t just a DJ act — it’s a global movement. Founded by Merchant and Kahani in New York, the music collective and label fuses Indian classical instruments, folk sounds, and vocals with house and techno rhythms, creating an immersive audio-visual experience. Their goal: to bridge global electronic music with the rich heritage of South Asian soundscapes.
The duo’s journey began during the pandemic, as Kahani (Amaan Gupta) explained in an earlier interview with Cosmopolitan India. While living in Mexico during COVID-19, Gupta immersed himself in electronic music and began experimenting with new sounds. Once back in New York, he compiled a playlist of South Asian-inspired electronic tracks, naming it “Indo Warehouse.”
“As soon as I published that, everyone was talking about it,” Gupta told Cosmopolitan India. What began as a personal experiment quickly grew into a full-fledged brand when Gupta met Merchant, a seasoned DJ and electronic music aficionado in New York. Their shared vision helped transform Indo Warehouse from an online playlist to a sold-out live act.
By the end of their first year, the duo played New York’s famed Avant Gardner venue. The following year, they toured across North America, selling out most shows. In year three, Indo Warehouse went global — and their Coachella debut now marks a milestone for South Asian representation in mainstream music festivals.
“Our focus is on expanding even more this year — signing new artists and bringing in fresh talent from all over the world,” Gupta told Cosmopolitan India.
Indo Warehouse’s Coachella set not only celebrated Indian heritage but also signaled a larger shift toward embracing multicultural sounds on the global festival circuit. With their fusion of deep house, techno, and South Asian folk rhythms, the duo delivered more than just music — they offered a moment of pride and cultural connection for the global South Asian diaspora.
And if this weekend’s packed dance floor was any indication, the world is ready for more.
