41st anniversary of The Times of India, Bengaluru: Bengaluru will rock you

Time of India

5 hours ago

Namma ooru will always wear its 'India's Rock capital' crown with pride. And beyond this realm is a city lilting to fresh flourishes from homegrown talent. Don't believe us? Just tune in to the musical powerhouses who've lived it, played it, and loved it here.
Raw and unfiltered
Before his celebrated three Grammys and global acclaim, homie Ricky Kej had his first real taste of Bengaluru's raw music spirit at a music festival in Nelamangala. 'I remember having had so much fun travelling to the city's outskirts and being welcomed by a lively crowd. It was just great music in the open air where music aficionados like me sat on the grass to soak in the notes. No filmy frills or international bands, only local talent.
No hatred, no show-offs, just pure fun,' Ricky reminisces, He credits the city's audiences for what makes the music scene special. 'This is one city where fans will buy tickets — they won't ask for passes,' he says candidly.
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For Girish Pradhan, frontman of an Indian rock band, Bengaluru isn't just another city on the tour map — it's India's OG rock capital. 'Back when Millennium dropped India's first metal album to the time an English heavy metal band tore up the stage here — Bengaluru has always had rock in its DNA,' he says.
And the crowd? Total legends. 'You'll spot everyone — from hyped-up teens to chill 70-year-olds — all vibing, all in.
They don't just listen to music, they live it.'
Echoing his energy is Khalid Ahamed, founder-frontman of one of Bengaluru's finest indie-rock acts. 'This city has been nurturing rock bands since the '80s. It's more than just a scene — it's a culture,' he says. Unlike trend-chasing cities, Bengaluru's vibe is real — 'raw, rooted, and totally about the music.'
He credits the city's strong independent spirit for keeping the flame alive. The bottom line? Bengaluru doesn't just host rock — it breathes it.
The city's cosmopolitan culture and tech-fueled character percolates into the music scene, as the musicians observe.
'With people pouring into Bengaluru from all over India — and the world — the city's music scene is basically a giant melting pot of sounds and influences.
And with so many folks here working tech-heavy, screen-filled day jobs, music has become the ultimate escape hatch. Whether you're creating it or just soaking it in, rock has turned into therapy — a loud, emotional, totally cathartic way to hit reset in a city that never stops buzzing,' says Fidel D'Souza, bassist.
Girish feels folks crave authenticity in a fast-paced world, and music offers that escape. 'Sure, Bengaluru's techy, global vibe has brought in fresh energy, but the rock scene here has always been strong at its core.
It's built on insanely talented musicians and fans who show up with the same passion, year after year.' Girish states.
The community huddle
The band's percussionist Sachin Bannandur sums it up beautifully when he says the city's music scene is less of an industry and more of a movement. 'It's really about the sound than trends. There's a deep-rooted, organic music culture here that hasn't faded,' he adds. Whether you're a creator or a connoisseur, Bengaluru offers something rare: community, as the lead guitarist Bharath Kashyap chips in.
'People here don't just like bands — they follow them.
They know every lyric, show up to every gig, and bring serious energy. It's a crowd that's passionate, multilingual, and spans generations.'
Venues that vibe
While Palace Grounds was accepted as the eternal mosh pit for music lovers, Ricky reminisces about iconic other venues such as Webbs Ground on MG Road and The Club on Bannerghatta Road that gave voice to hundreds of artists.
'These were the soul of the city's music,' he says.
Sure, the city's music scene took a bit of a hit post-2018 with some classic venues fading out, but the spirit never died. 'The way gigs are curated has changed, but the passion? Still loud and proud,' says Girish. No surprise then, that the Sikkim-based band has always felt namma love — decade after decade.
'The community's got heart — no doubt about it. But while the love for music is solid, venues tend to come and go.
The intention is there, for sure, but the infrastructure's a bit shaky. Still, that doesn't stop artists and fans from keeping it real and building something that actually matters,' says Fidel.
Homegrown talent
Girish is of the view that Bengaluru always had a soft spot for homegrown talent. 'It's one of the few cities where original music actually gets the respect it deserves. There's a solid community of artists, venues, and listeners who get the value of authentic sound.
But there's still so much untapped potential. If civic bodies stepped in with better infrastructure, easier event permissions, and real investment in cultural spaces, the scene could seriously level up — not just bigger, but sustainably so,' he says candidly.
But the city still needs more intimate venues, Ricky adds — places for 50-60 people, with just a piano or a sarod, like the ones in Perth or New York. 'It's not about scale.
It's about space for deep, real connection.'
Across the board, the artists agree: Bengaluru loves music, and musicians love Bengaluru. But the next step is civic support. Smoother permissions, dedicated cultural spaces, and infrastructure will go a long way. 'There's so much untapped potential,' Girish notes.
Even so, the city's DIY ethic keeps it alive. 'The intention is there, and the community keeps building something real,' Parvaaz affirms.
Why Bengaluru still rocks
Whether it's rock, metal, fusion, or ambient — Bengaluru is where it lives. It's not just about hearing music — it's about feeling it, living it, and sometimes even becoming it.
So, the next time you hear of a local gig, don't scroll past. Go. Listen. Dance. Mosh. Support.
Because in this city of tech and traffic, it's the music that keeps the soul wild and the heart youthful. Rock on like Bengaluru, we say.