Alan Walker, ever the hoodie-clad musical savant who redefined digital anonymity with his unique brand of electronic music, is gearing up for his much-anticipated return to India this month. With his Walkerworld Tour covering ten cities across the nation, Walker is both excited and somewhat perplexed by his own journey. “India has always held a special place in my heart,” he reflects, still adjusting to his status as a global sensation. “There’s just something magical about the energy here — it’s hard not to fall in love with it. I love my Indian Walkers and I’m grateful for all the love and support!” Unsurprisingly, Indian fans are equally enamored with him.
Best known for his 2015 breakout hit “Faded,” Walker, the Norwegian DJ and producer, remains somewhat of an enigma. Yet over his career, he has cultivated an incredibly personal connection with his audience. Amid neon lights and pulsing basslines, his concerts focus less on the man behind the mask and more on the communal experience of the music itself.
Recalling a particularly electrifying performance in Mumbai, Walker shares, “The entire audience was singing every word on my setlist. It was such a powerful and emotional moment. That kind of energy just doesn’t happen everywhere.” This symbiotic passion has made his return to India a highly anticipated event.
This time around, Walker isn’t just touring; he’s delivering a more immersive, multi-dimensional experience. The Walkerworld project, produced in collaboration with Sunburn, represents an ambitious fusion of melody and virtual reality aimed at creating a fully encompassing experience. “The concept for Walkerworld in UEFN was born from my desire to merge music, gaming, and immersive experiences,” he explains. “Platforms like UEFN and Fortnite enable fans to engage with music on a deeper level, transforming it into an experience.” It’s a techno-utopian vision following in the footsteps of virtual concerts by artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande, paying homage to the virtual environments that shaped Walker’s early days as a bedroom producer.
Hailing from Bergen, Norway, the 27-year-old DJ began his musical experiments on a laptop using FL Studio, learning through YouTube tutorials. His fascination with the grand motifs of composers like Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky contributed to his distinct sonic identity. “I’ve always been captivated by how film scores create emotional and vivid soundscapes, and it’s something I’m definitely interested in exploring,” he shares.
. This fascination with cinematic elements has clearly influenced his music, which often features darker, minor tones compared to the upbeat rhythms of contemporary tropical house.
Unsurprisingly, Walker is open to following in the footsteps of EDM titans who transitioned to film. “Combining my love for music with storytelling through film could be an exciting new direction for me. I admire how Daft Punk and Nine Inch Nails have explored this area, and I would love to follow in their footsteps,” he reveals. There’s a certain inevitability to this ambition, as his grandiose tracks seem destined for the silver screen someday.
A significant part of Walker’s allure stems from his persona, or rather, the deliberate obscuration of it. The mask, initially a nod to hacker culture and the gaming community, focuses attention on the music, not the musician. “The mask has always been about more than just anonymity — it’s a symbol of unity and the idea that we’re all in this together,” he says. Yet, as he occasionally removes this digital veil, his connection with fans has only strengthened. “Whether I’m wearing the mask or not, the vibe remains the same.”
Earlier this year, Walker experienced India’s passion for cricket firsthand, having crafted an anthem for the IPL’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was his first true encounter with the sport, and by his account, it was a surprisingly thrilling experience. “Meeting the cricket legend Virat Kohli and the RCB women’s cricket team,” he says, “was a standout moment.”
As preparations for the Walkerworld Tour across India are finalized, encompassing cities like Pune, Shillong, and Hyderabad, Walker exudes genuine enthusiasm — not just for the performances but for the countrywide journey. “Each city brings its own unique vibe,” he says. “I’ve heard great things about Bangalore and Hyderabad, and I can’t wait to see how fans across different locations will react.”
The adventure that began for young Alan in his bedroom shows no signs of slowing down. His advice to his younger self and to others aspiring to follow in his footsteps? “Stick to your roots and be yourself,” he asserts. “Hard work, persistence, and confidence in yourself can take you places you wouldn’t have imagined.”
The 10-city Walkerworld Tour, in collaboration with Sunburn India, will commence on September 27 in Kolkata and will traverse cities such as Shillong, Delhi NCR, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Pune, and Mumbai before concluding in Hyderabad on October 20.
Published – September 24, 2024 03:13 pm IST
music / music industry / Digital music / Music Personalities
