Sweet first impression in Bengaluru

Anirudh Verma Collective

26th October, 9 pm onwards

Fans at Gillies Redefined, Koramangala

Tickets: ₹499 via Insider.in, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

New Delhi-based fusion act Anirudh Varma Collective has been at the forefront of presenting a thought-provoking take on classical music and they will be doing just that for their Bengaluru debut at Fandom this week.

The group, led by composer, producer and keyboardist Anirudh Verma, says the band will bring a mix of old and new tunes from its two albums. Approach And homecoming, As well as unreleased songs from their upcoming third album.

Special guests at the show include city-based guitarist Abhay Nayampally who will “bring the Carnatic flavor to the set”, according to the band.

Talking about their first show in Bengaluru, he says, “The vibrant music culture of the city has always inspired us, and we have been getting a lot of requests from our audiences in Bengaluru to bring our music here. We can’t wait to share our unique blend of classical and contemporary sounds with such an enthusiastic crowd. It’s going to be a special night and we look forward to connecting with the people of Bengaluru through our music.”

Gowali, Itilam and Kasa in fandom

October 27, from 6:30 pm

Fans at Gillies Redefined, Koramangala

Tickets: ₹599 via Insider.in, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

This weekend a new wave of South Indian bands are taking over the fandom, and they’re calling it the Dosa controversy. Malayalam/Tamil band Gauvali and Malayalam metal band Ittilam will perform along with Kannada hard rock band Kasa.

Apart from the mix of languages, these bands also come from different genres. Auroville-based Gawali has been described as experimental folk rock with influences of reggae and blues. The event description states, “Their music features rich acoustic instrumentals, captivating melodies, and complex arrangements that showcase the collective talents of the band members.”

Thiruvananthapuram metal band Ittilam – whose name means ‘birth place’ in Malayalam – has been working for the last eight years. Their description mentions, “Their music blends the rich sound of their native language Malayalam with the powerful, well-crafted sonic landscapes of global rock and metal.”

Casa, for their part, are influenced by everyone from Rage Against the Machine to Nirvana, System of a Down and Led Zeppelin. “With a rebellious spirit, their music speaks to a generation seeking a fresh, edgy sound. “Casa’s live performance is amazing, leaving audiences wanting more,” the description says.

Soundarya

26th October, 9 pm onwards

Raft, Koramangala

Tickets: ₹399 via Instagram.com/theraftbangalore

Leading DIY venue The Raft will host Bengaluru-based singer-songwriter Soundarya this week. A veteran artist who first gained popularity in karaoke competitions, Soundarya releases her debut EP colors of revival In 2013, she became a part of the English television singing competition, stageSoundarya, who works regularly on the indie and commercial gig circuits, is planning a special show at The Raft.

Soundarya Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

She says, “After what feels like forever, I present to you an immersive experience with music, visuals and more! There are songs that are a few months old and some that I’ve been sitting on for years. Playing with you will feel like my ideas coming to life so come join me for a relaxing evening that is beyond your typical concert experience. Want to know what I’m talking about? Let’s find out.”

Rocktoberfest

26th October, 4 pm onwards

Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield

Tickets: ₹199 (early bird), ₹1,000 (meet and greet) via skillbox.com

A mix of tribute acts and some of the country’s top metal bands are set for Rocktoberfest in Phoenix’s MarketCity this week. Death metal band Gutslit, fresh from their first tour of Japan, will return to town with local reigning metallers, Inner Sanctum.

Inner sanctum Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In addition to more extreme, heavy music, powerhouse rock band Meg & The Miracles, pop-rock band Alobo Naga & The Band and multi-genre act The First Note, both hip-hop/R&B artistes from Nagaland will also perform. Gray and Ed. Expect tributes to bands like Coldplay, Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC, activities like cosplaying, drinking games and more at the venue.