Alan Walker, the hoodie-wearing music enthusiast who has redefined the terms of digital anonymity with his unique brand of electronic music, is all set to return to India this month.
As he prepares for his WalkerWorld Tour across ten cities in the country, you get the sense that he is both excited and a little surprised by his own trajectory. “India has always held a special place in my heart,” he muses, almost as if he’s still not used to the idea that he’s now a global sensation. “There’s 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!” It’s not surprising at all that his fans here are just as crazy.
Best known for his 2015 hit song “Faded,” the Norwegian DJ and producer is somewhat of an enigma, yet over the course of his career, he has managed to form a deeply personal connection with his audience. Amid the neon lights and thumping basslines, his concerts are less about the man behind the mask and more about the shared experience of music.
Recalling a particularly thrilling moment from his last show in Mumbai, he says, “The entire audience was singing along to every word of my setlist. It was a very powerful and emotional moment. You don’t get that kind of energy anywhere.” It is this mutual passion that has made his return to India an event he is eagerly looking forward to.
Alan Walker | Photo credit: X/ @IAmAlanWalker
This time, Allen isn’t just going on tour, he’s giving us a more immersive, multi-faceted experience. The Walkerworld project, created in collaboration with Sanborn, feels like an ambitious merger of melody and virtual reality that works towards this immersion. “The concept of Walkerworld at UEFN was born out of my desire to combine music, gaming and immersive experiences,” he explains. “Platforms like UEFN and Fortnite allow fans to connect with music on a deeper level, turning it into an experience.” One could call it a techno-utopian vision that comes after Travis Scott and Ariana Grande’s virtual concerts in Fortnite, or perhaps, a tribute to the virtual worlds that shaped his early days as a bedroom producer.
The 27-year-old musician from Bergen, Norway, began his musical experiments using the old FL Studio on a laptop, and learned the art through YouTube tutorials. His fascination with the epic motifs of veteran composers like Hans Zimmer and Steve Jablonsky gave birth to his distinct sonic identity.
He said, “I’ve always been fascinated by how film music crafts emotional and vivid sonic landscapes, and it’s something I’m definitely interested in exploring.” This attraction to more ambient, cinematic elements has obviously heavily influenced his music, which is often darker and more modest in tone than the upbeat beats of contemporary tropical house.
So it’s not surprising that Allen is set to follow in the footsteps of EDM legends who have turned to film. “Combining my love of music with storytelling through film could be an exciting new path for me. I admire the explorations done in this area by Daft Punk and Nine Inch Nails, and I’d love to follow in their footsteps,” he explains. There’s a certain inevitability behind this ambition, a feeling that the grandeur of his tracks will perhaps someday find a place on the silver screen.
A big part of Allen’s charm is his personality, or rather, his lack of it. The mask, initially conceived as a nod to hacker culture and the gaming community, was a way to focus on the music, not the musician himself. “The mask has always been 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 his fans grows even stronger. “Whether I wear a mask or not, the atmosphere is the same.”
Earlier this year, Allen realised the passion for cricket in India when he composed an anthem for IPL’s Royal Challengers Bangalore. This was his first real experience with the game and according to him, it was an unexpectedly exciting experience. “Meeting cricket legend Virat Kohli and the RCB women’s cricket team was an extraordinary experience,” he says.
Preparing to take the Walkerworld tour across India to places like Pune, Shillong and Hyderabad, Allen seems really excited – not just for the shows, but also for the cross-country experience. “Each city brings a different vibe to it,” he says. “I have heard great things about Bangalore and Hyderabad and I am looking forward to seeing how fans will react in different places.”
For the younger Allen, the adventure that began in his bedroom doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. His advice to younger versions of himself and perhaps others who wish to follow in his footsteps? “Stay true to your roots and be yourself,” he insists. “Hard work, perseverance and belief in yourself can take you places you never imagined.”
The 10-city WalkerWorld Tour in association with Sunburn India will kick off in Kolkata on September 27 and pass through 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
