You haven’t seen anything yet – it’s just another Friday for brisk business in Bengaluru and business is fun when it’s about live music.
September 25 sees at least five gigs by artistes from all over the country and local favourites gearing up for performances.
Whether it’s folk rock, experimental or straight-up rock, here’s what you should choose.
SundogProject, Bevar Sea, Slohawk
What: The Delhi-based electro rock band play their debut gig in the city as part of stoner-doom metal band Bevar Sea’s album launch. For front man, Rahul Das, it’s more of a pre-launch tour to their new album Tora, which changes direction from their debut release Hex1/Visions to become more mood-based, incorporating elements of industrial and ambient music. They’re also throwing in a cover of Bjork’s “Hunter”. About their first show here, Das says, “I’m looking forward to it. From what I know, Bengaluru has had an older tradition for gigs and modern music (comparatively) in the country and hopefully people will like the Sundog sound.”
Where: Canvas by Salt, 12th Main, Indiranagar
When: 9 p.m. onwards
Swarathma
What: The local folk-flavoured rockers have been missing from the city’s live music circuit for quite some time now, although they just recently played a surf festival near Chennai. For their set at Blue Frog, Swarathma will play a mix of material from their debut self-titled album, the second album – Topiwalleh -- and the upcoming third album. Bassist Jishnu Dasgupta says the band last played here in June and has special plans for this gig, including playing an acoustic prelude before they bring out their energetic best. Jishnu adds, “We’re used to doing the all singing, all dancing sets, but this time we wanted to step away from that.” The bassist also reveals they’re working on a new single, a collaboration with composer Clinton Cerejo, which is due to release in October.
Where: Blue Frog, Church Street
When: 9 p.m. onwards
Opposite Sex, One Girl Shy
What: The latest band on the block is a pop rock duo that branched into a full-fledged band that dabbles in everything from jazz to pop and heavier rock. It’s no surprise to hear the band’s co-vocalist and bassist Ragini Ramanathan say that they throw in covers of everything from indie rockers Franz Ferdinand to jazz/blues guitarist Scott Henderson along with their originals. Ragini says a regular Opposite Sex gig is “quirky, but we’re relatable.” Adds the bassist, “We’re not soul-searching or anything. We talk about everyday stuff.”
Where: BFlat Bar, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar
When: 9 p.m. onwards
PINKNOISE, Blushing Satellite
What: After playing in the city just last month, the Kolkata-based experimental rock band PINKNOISE returns alongside trip-hop/R&B rock band Blushing Satellite at the Humming Tree. PINKNOISE vocalist, Jayashree Singh, says it’s a chance to play their album Dance of the Diaspora with help of a specially-created visual set by drummer Jivraj Singh. Jayashree adds, “Our music is challenging for listeners and for us as well. It’s demanding for the crowd and the performers.”
Following that, they play on September 26 as their alt rock alter-ego, Skinny Alley. Jivraj says there won’t be any problems switching gears. “We’re used to it, we do it all the time at home when we practice.”
Where: The Humming Tree
When: 10 p.m. onwards
Kutle Khan
What: The Rajasthan folk maestro is in the city vying for a different audience at Destination by Salt in Whitefield, which was formerly known as CounterCulture.
The veteran musician and his group, the Kutle Khan Project, have just returned from a show in Johannesburg. “It was fully packed.
Though it was a seated show, I made them all stand up for my set,” says Khan over the phone.
Khan also performed at Blue Frog in its opening week in Bengaluru, but is looking forward to return.
He adds, “I love this city. The love and understanding the people here is really something.”
Where: Destination by Salt, 4th Cross, Dyavasandra Industrial area, Whitefield
When: 8 p.m. onwards
