Live Music Diaries

Elektrik Projekt consistently organising events in the Capital,live music shows are gaining in popularity.

Earlier rock was the only kind of music that was performed live. In the past year,BASSFoundation has introduced the city to Drum and Bass,Dancehall and Jungle,while the Reggae Rajahs chipped in with Roots Reggae,Ska,Dubstep and Lovers Rock. Apart from introducing new musical genres,the collectives also focus on promoting new talent. “Plug-In,our open- mic night for musicians is especially organised to discover new vocalists and musicians in the city,” says Neha Malhotra,Manager,Bombay Elektrik Projekt Delhi. Agrees Mohammed Abood of Reggae Rajahs,“We’ve come across many underground artists such as Dualist Inquiry who are producing brilliant original music.” BASSFoundation on the other hand,gets guest artists from abroad and arranges for them to perform in India.

Though the future looks promising,the ride till now has not been an easy one. From convincing venue managers to managing finance,these collectives initially faced many difficulties. Says Dalmia,“Some of the venues are very elitist and are not conducive for the kind of intimacy and inclusiveness with which we perform.” Also,the venues need constant reassurance that the events will lead to an increase in their sales. “We have to generate an audience not only for the performers but also for the venue,otherwise they might no longer support our initiatives,” asserts Malhotra. The members try to get audience through personal contacts,social networking sites and word of mouth.

Choosing a venue remains a difficult task. From the location to the ambience,a lot of factors determine the selection of a venue. “I dislike the mall setting. For BASSFoundation,it is important to have a good sound system and a space where the artists can conveniently interact with the audience,” says Dalmia. Bombay

Elektrik Projekt prefers a venue which exudes a chilled-out vibe. “It helps if the venue can arrange for complimentary drinks for the performers,” says Malhotra. Reggae Rajahs take into account the price of liquor and the mass appeal of the place. The events are laid back and the focus is on entertainment with good music.

Venues like Cafe Oz and Shalom have collaborated with such collectives. While Shalom charges an entry fee which includes reimbursement of drinks,the entry at Cafe Oz is free. The strength of the audience ranges from 120 to 200. “People are getting interested in live performances and the footfall is gradually multiplying,” says Asit Sharma,General Manager,Shalom.