October 05, 2024 12:50 PM IST
Ahead of their India debut, Extreme’s Nuno Bettencourt expressed his excitement to connect with Indian fans at what he believes is the peak of his live career.
As the iconic rock band Extreme prepares for their first performance in Bengaluru, India, renowned guitarist Nuno Bettencourt is full of enthusiasm: “We haven’t played in India much,” admits Bettencourt and adds, “but I Very excited. I don’t think the band has ever been this good – singing, musically, performance wise – we are at our best.
The performance, which was long awaited by both the band and Indian fans, comes after several previous attempts to play in the country were cancelled. “We were disappointed at first, but now it feels right. Bands are at their peak, and India has such a rich artistic culture,” says Bettencourt, expressing his eagerness to connect with the Indian audience at the Bandland music festival, produced and promoted by BookMyShow Live.
For Bettencourt, music transcends borders, and he is especially eager to see how Indian fans will connect with his sound. “Rock and roll is universal, but fans connect with it in different ways in different cultures. I’m excited to see the passion of Indian fans and how our music connects with them.”
The setlist for Bengaluru promises to cater to both longtime followers and new fans. Bettencourt shares an exciting statistic: “In approximately 130-140 shows since the new album Six came out, 70-90% of the crowd are new fans – many of them in their twenties and even teens. It’s mind-blowing.”
Bettencourt also emphasizes that rock remains rebellious at its core, even as the musical landscape is evolving: “Rock and roll is still about imperfection, emotion, and rebellion. It’s raw, underground and not something AI can replicate.”
One song that exemplifies this sentiment is their evergreen hit More Than Words. “That song didn’t live up to expectations, but authenticity is what people like. Our fans expect the unexpected. You can’t get more rock and roll than More Than Words,” he concluded.
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