Bangalore, the IT hub of India, is also known for its vibrant and diverse cultural scene. The city boasts some of the best live music venues, events, and artists in the country. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bangalore’s live music and entertainment scene has not only survived but thrived in the past year. Here are some of the reasons why:
Innovative and Adaptable Venues
One of the key factors that has enabled Bangalore’s live music and entertainment scene to flourish is the innovation and adaptability of the venues. Many of the popular live music venues in the city, such as The Humming Tree, Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, BFlat Indiranagar, and Hard Rock Cafe Bengaluru, have adopted various measures to ensure the safety and comfort of their patrons and performers. These include:
- Following the government guidelines on social distancing, sanitization, and capacity limits
- Offering online booking and contactless payment options
- Hosting live-streamed or recorded shows on their websites or social media platforms
- Collaborating with other venues, artists, and organizations to create online festivals and events
- Experimenting with new formats, genres, and themes to cater to diverse audiences and tastes
Talented and Resilient Artists
Another factor that has contributed to the success of Bangalore’s live music and entertainment scene is the talent and resilience of the artists. The city is home to some of the finest musicians, singers, composers, and performers in the country, who have showcased their skills and creativity in various genres and styles. Some of the notable artists who have performed in Bangalore in the past year are:
- Norah Jones, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, performed at the Global Startup Summit 2024 in March
- Sarvepalli Sisters, the vocal duo of Anjana and Anusha Sarvepalli, mesmerized the audience with their classical and fusion music at the Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha in January
- Prince Rama Varma, the renowned Carnatic vocalist and veena player, delighted the listeners with his rendition of compositions by Tyagaraja, Dikshitar, and Swati Tirunal at the Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha in January
- SAMAAGAMA, the collaborative performance of Kathak and Bharatanatyam by Shama Bhate and Anuradha Venkataraman, who presented a blend of tradition and innovation at the Indiranagar Sangeetha Sabha in January
- Southern Slaughter Vol. 2, the metal music festival featuring bands like Kryptos, Bevar Sea, Dying Embrace, and Shepherd, rocked the stage at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined in January
Supportive and Enthusiastic Audiences
The third and most important factor that has made Bangalore’s live music and entertainment scene thrive is the support and enthusiasm of the audience. The city has a large and diverse population of music and entertainment lovers who have shown their appreciation and loyalty to the venues and artists in various ways. These include:
- Attending the live shows in person or online, following the safety protocols and guidelines
- Engaging with the venues and artists on social media, sharing feedback, suggestions, and requests
- Participating in online contests, quizzes, polls, and games hosted by the venues and artists
- Buying merchandise, tickets, memberships, and donations to support the venues and artists financially
- Spreading the word and inviting friends and family to join the live music and entertainment community
Bangalore’s live music and entertainment scene is a testament to the power of music and art to bring people together, uplift their spirits, and inspire them to overcome challenges. As the city gradually recovers from the pandemic, the live music and entertainment scene is expected to grow and evolve further, offering more opportunities and experiences for venues, artists, and audiences.
