LIVE NIGHTS

Excited crowds now give company to DJs manning consoles at lounges and clubs. Even restaurants and cafes have begun to substitute soft,oriental background music with local and international rock and jazz bands. Musical medleys and rock bands have multiplied with numerous clubbing options. The city’s favourite hotspots now bring in DJs from other countries to give their clients irresistible options and more enjoyment packed into every minute they spend inside these clubs.

Take for instance Sachin Nagarale of One Lounge,who believes that inviting bands and DJs from other cities and countries sharpens a mixed cultural experience for local residents and helps restaurants to position themselves better. The in-house DJ at One Lounge continues to play but once or twice a week,there is that unmissable,refreshingly different twang to the guitar and the bands that pulsate with an unfamiliar energy.

One Lounge does not just stop with bringing in bands. Sometimes it even organises belly dance performances. If guests are happy,entertainment groups are not complaining either. “We have introduced the concept of ‘live bands’ for Wednesday nights. A lot of bands from Shillong,Hyderabad and Bengaluru have played here,” says Yash Munot,partner of Curve. Last year,cricketer Brett Lee too performed with his band at the restaurant and the gig was a real hit with diners. Restaurants like Malaka Spice and Post 91 now have live acts like impromptu painting and karaoke. Parag Patel,who works as coordinator for both the restaurants,believes that the mood and the atmosphere becomes more vibrant on days that such activities are organised.

Abhijeet Parakh,a regular partygoer,is delighted. “Though Indian bands and DJs are good,they miss out on the ability to connect with the audience well. It is agood idea for Pune lounges to bring in international artistes as thequality of music and knowledge of different genres of music is varied compared to the local acts.”

High Spirits,a popular hangout for youngsters,brings live bands instead of relying on just DJs. “We prefer live bands as they bring in a more intimate experiencecompared to electronic music,” says owner Khodu Irani. Sandy Singh of Area 51 agrees. DJ Abhishek Mantri,who could have felt out of favour with the crowd doesn’t mind the trend. “Along with the revelers,even I get an opportunity to learn about different genres of music,” he shrugs.