We often talk about being free. Being free in all possible definitions of the word “free”. One of them surely includes letting our soul run feral to music. Time and again, music has been there for us, saving us from our hardest battles, pulling us out of the deepest pits.
Music being an art form itself, presents itself in a more elevated form when performed live. The stage is the artist’s studio and the concert space is the museum. The pandemonium of free hearts screaming their lungs out, free feets tapping in unison and free hands making sure to set the right tempo with their claps, are surely the different pieces of art being hanged in this museum.
With music being home grown and studio technology playing a major role at present, live music performance is a completely different aspect of music that can be discussed. Concerts provides a different scenario to musicians. Be it a solo artist or a band, coordinating their individual mastery of their art form while trying to keep the crowd’s emotions under their control requires utmost dedication. The lights, the crowd and the speakers, it’s a world within itself. This world has its own color not only in the musicians perspective but also through the listeners pov.
Indian Music has a identity of it’s own. Regardless of whether a genre is home grown or adopted from other sections of the world, Indian musicians have always made sure to make it their own with their own nuances and spices. Thus it is very necessary to experience Indian Live Music.
Today I would like to present you few such bands whose live concert you should experience once in your lifetime. Most of these bands are inclined towards Rock and it’s sub genres. But I’ll surely bring to you bands from other genre too on another day.
- Sitar Metal
India is home to the World’s first Sitar fronted metal band. How cool is that? Who would ever imagine a Sitarist to blend the Indian Classical Instrument with a genre as metal. No one would ever probably have thought about it, if Rishab Seen didn’t. The journey of how Seen fought through conflicts in finding his style of music and finally created Sitar Metal along with his bandmates is for another day. But if you are either an Indian Classical musician or an Indian Rock enthusiast, exploring Sitar Metal would be a ride for you. A detailed instrument as a Sitar being backed by distorted guitars and heavy fast paced drums sets fire to a concert arena. One should surely experience “When Time Stands Still” or “Sher e Punjab” love atleast once.
- Raghu Dixit Project
Raghu Dixit is an Indian Folk Prodigy. His band “Raghu Dixit Project” has deep Indian origin roots that seep deeply into India’s rich folk and cultural heritage. Raghu Dixit Project’s sound was so new and so global with an amazing blend of rich folk tunes and beats that it turned out to be one of the most sought band a decade back. Making it’s way into many International Festivals, Raghu Dixit Project presents a contemporary global sound backed by Kannada poetry too. If you have watched songs like “Jag Changa” by them in One for the road” by MTV, you would realise why it is important to experience them live.
- Bloodywood
The Indian Metal scene can’t be talked about without mentioning the band Bloodywood. Based in Delhi and comprising of Indian Folk sounds with a subtle texture of Bollywood has made a name for itself all across the globe. Inclusion of instruments like Indian traditional dhols took this band to a new hemisphere of creation. One needs to experience songs like Machi Bhasad and Dana Dan live to know what an Indian Folk Metal band tastes like. Presently the band includes Karan Katiyar, Jayant Bhadula and Raoul Kerr.
- Girish and the Chronicles
Based in Sikkim, Gangtok and fronted by Girish Pradhan, this Indian Heavy Metal band will give you an atmosphere you have never breathed in before. With releases from National and International labels, this band can give you the taste of 80s rock and metal. Ranging from glam to rock n roll they’ve got you covered. The band has also received appreciation from big Metal names like Chris Adler and Thomas Gabriel. Girish joined Chris Aldler’s band “Firstborne” which is Adler’s own project. Make sure to witness “Ride to Hell” by Girish and the Chronicles atleast once.
- Naalayak
A four piece Indie Rock band from Chandigarh is one of the most influential Indian Rock band at present. The subtle ways in which they craft their songs will make you swim through a plethora of emotions. Led by Sahil Samuel, this band has won the hearts of the youth. Songs like “Bawra” and “Jazba” should be experienced live in its pure display.
