Goan bands hit the right note on Mangaluru stage

Time of India

09-06-2025

Mangaluru: There's a new rhythm setting the pace for celebrations in Mangaluru, and it hails directly from Goa. The coastal city's event circuit, from charity galas to ticketed parties and family functions, is increasingly showing a strong preference for Goan bands.
The city's stages have seen almost all the top bands of Goa performing live over the years. A few notable names include A26, Black IN White Band, True Blue, Double R, Mark Revlon, Raagas2Riches, Uzo Band and others. Organisers and attendees of these events laud their energetic performances, passion for music and singing, and diverse repertoire, which often resonate deeply with the region's shared Konkani Catholic heritage.
This trend sees many Goan groups performing regularly in Mangaluru. However, a stark contrast exists as very few Mangalurean bands secure similar gigs in Goa.
Mark Fernandes of Stonebridge Entertainment, one of the event organisers who set the trend of inviting Goan bands in 2019, attributes their success to the quality of song selection, command over playlists, and quality of voice, which is as good as the original.
"They don't just play one music genre, but all. Secondly, they also have a good command over Bollywood cover numbers, singing live, which not all bands can do.
In total, Goan bands can capture the audience of Mangaluru and perform according to their taste," said Fernandes, adding that close to 20-25 bands from Goa are eagerly waiting to perform in Mangaluru.
"They (Goan bands) perform in Mangaluru as it gives them a new platform to get recognised for their talents in the state," he said.
Mark also added that earlier, bands originating from Mangaluru did not have many bookings outside the district, but of late, a few bands are able to touch the stages of Goa too. It is a positive sign, and some also perform in clubs in Bengaluru.
Besides performing in ticketed events or charity galas, the Goan bands are also able to make inroads into private functions of individuals, be it roce, weddings, or other small events such as birthdays and anniversaries. Those who attend these events summarise that these bands are high in energy and dance-oriented. "Bands are well known for their high-energy performances and make everyone, be it young or old, shake a leg or two," says Laxmi Shenoy, an event organiser as well as a partygoer.