Throbbing with cultural vibrancy, Bengaluru’s music scene is showcasing a power-packed weekend filled with enthralling gigs across genres, gradually becoming a city where the melodies play non-stop. The array of performances lined up encompass the eclectic essence of indie music, ranging from folk to rock, pop to jazz, promising an audio feast for music aficionados.
Come January 20th, at 7 pm, The Raft in Koramangala becomes the beacon for indie music connoisseurs as the stellar band Alva Kuuto takes the stage. A force in indie music with Tulu lyrics, singer-songwriter Praveen Alva and his band extend a melodious ‘Thank You’, or ‘solmelu’, to their ardent Bengaluru fans. For a ticket price of ₹499 available on Skillboxes.com, attendees are promised a night of immersive tunes that stitch together the rich narratives and folklore of the southwestern coast, fused with contemporary styles and instrumentation. Accompanying them is the enchanting pop duo Naadaani, adding to the magic of the night.
On the same evening, but at 8 pm, the energetically charged Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, also in Koramangala, paves the way for the storied pioneers of rock, Thermal And A Quarter. With tickets priced at ₹600 purchasable through Insider.in, and an additional ₹500 cover charge at the door, fans will bear witness to the band’s Un/Plugged event. The veterans, just off a successful stint at Bandland, are featuring an acoustic set followed by an electric detonation of sounds. Bruce Lee Mani, Tony Das, Leslie Charles, and Rajeev Rajagopal rhythmically assert that their acoustic performance will be “top TAAQ like you’ve never heard,” before they turn the dial up to a ferocious 11.
The musical festivities ripple into the next day, with January 21st introducing the inaugural THUMP festival at WL Superclub located in HSR Layout. Starting at 7 pm, for ₹599 available at Insider.in, this “visually immersive” musical venture showcases three unique rock bands. Pune’s Nemophilis, known for their pop-rock and nu-metal vibes reminiscent of Linkin Park, will share their sonic storytelling. Bengaluru isn’t left behind with high-voltage performances expected from the punk rock sensations, AKOG or Another Kind of Green, alongside The Lucidwake, a band riding high on their latest singles ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Bleed’.
The music-dominated weekend begins a notch earlier on January 19th at 9:30 pm at Windmills in Whitefield. Here, aficionados can immerse themselves in the innovative jazz rhythms of German drummer-composer Jo Beyer and his ensemble, JO. They stop in Bengaluru as part of a much-anticipated multi-city tour of India. With tickets for a seated experience at ₹1500 and a standing option for ₹499 available at windmills-india.com, the audience is in for an exceptional journey. Beyer’s latest album ‘Mic in the Face is Not on Purpose’ lends a touch of humor, but it’s his emotive expression and disruptive jazz style that captivates, earning him accolades and international awards.
From folk tunes steeped in coastal nostalgia, through the unplugged strains of rock evolution, to the immersive THUMP of new-age beatmakers, and the innovative jazz beats woven by an international maestro, Bengaluru’s weekend music lineup is a testament to its booming indie scene. As the city transforms into an aural canvas painted with myriad sounds, these events invite music lovers to partake in an unforgettable journey through the soul-stirring realm of live performances.
