Everyone who lives in India knows there’s no denying the massive influence Bollywood music has. They will also agree that, despite the development of the indie music scene, it still exists on the fringes of the larger Indian music industry. But things have been looking up with the proliferation of management companies, streaming platforms, and slick visuals! Today, their chances of hitting the mainstream soundscape are better than ever before. Even Barack Obama, the USA’s former president, had PrateekKuhad on his annual playlist in 2019!

The list of accomplishments by indie artists grows longer every year. And one of the main reasons for this has to be how live music pubs in Kolkata and elsewhere has exposed them to a wider audience. So, below, we list indie artists who you can’t miss if you find them performing live near you!

The Family Cheese

Formed in September 2011, The Family Cheese is a progressive rock band, comprised of Apurv Isaac, HomiRustumji, and Yohan Marshall. Originally from Mumbai, they have shifted base to Mumbai, where they are busy blending rock n’ roll, jazz, and blues. They have definitely added freshness to the Indian indie scene. The wacky lyrics, mostly English and sometimes Gujarati, definitely add to the newness. Their music is built for pubs in Park Street, Kolkata!

Dindun

It started as a bedroom project for Rohit Ganesh and Sourjyo Sinha, singers for synth-pop band Dindūn. Now, it takes the form of a crowdfunded venture that covers collaboration and production. Their compositions also blend rock and industrial elements, interwoven with folk origins. Half raised in West Bengal and Assam, the band blends Bengali and Sylheti in their songs, creating an environmental dreamscape. When MeghDaakherplays in a live music pub in Kolkata, you half expect that it’s raining, even if it’s the middle of December.

DhruvVisvanath

Globetrotter from a young age and also crowned 30 Great Guitarists under 30, DhruvVisvanath, is the one live performance that shouldn’t be missed. He ushered in a new genre with his percussive playing style. His lyricism is largely inspired by emotional upheavals. He even notes human interactions as his muse, bringing forth a dynamic style to his songwriting. This is best expressed in his song Wild.

Wild starts simple, and then it explodes. His playing style is distinct, and it rides the crescendo of his music so well. If you ever hear he’s playing at a pub, say Someplace Else inside The Park Hotels Kolkata, you rush there ASAP!

When Chai Met Toast

“There is nothing dramatic about how the band name came about. We were about to perform for a gig and someone suggested ‘When Chai Met Toast’ and we went ahead with it.”

When you hear a band’s vocalist say this, you know their music is going to be great. Comprised of AshwinGopakumar, Palee Francis, PaiSailesh, and AchyuthJaigopal, WCMT has turned the indie scene on its head. Based in Kochi, they sing in multiple languages, pulling in crowds across India. The best place for a night out in Kolkatawill always be made better if WCMT is playing a live gig!

Hari&Sukhmani

The folktronic duo of Sukhmani Malik and Hari Singh Jaaj are fusing electronic music with traditional Punjabi folk music. And they are incorporating elements of Sufi poetry, most notably from the works of Shah Hussain, Bulle Shah, and more.

It is quite the combination. The lyrics are ascetic while the music is what one might hear at nightclubs in Park Street, Kolkata! It is no wonder that the Bollywood celebrities also want them to perform at their weddings.

Fiddlecraft

If you found yourself jamming to Tufanfrom VarunDhawan’sCitadel, then congratulations, you have already heard of this Pune-based pop-rock band! Gaurav Kadu, Narayanan Sarma, Atul Massey, and Akshay More comprise this band that is inspired by everything from folk, rock, and pop music. Their music feels perfect for late-night party places in Kolkata!

Indie artists are pushing the boundaries of genre, redefining the music landscape with innovative and eclectic sounds. When you support these trailblazers at live gigs, you’re fostering a vibrant musical ecosystem where experimentation and originality thrive. So, don’t miss out if they perform near you in the future!