New Delhi: With new music easily available for free download to iPods and mobile phones, live performances seem to be the new-found mantra for Delhi bars to attract people. As Riyaz Amlani, who owns the new Mocha all-day bar, says: ‘‘You go to a bar and you get a DJ playing songs that you have heard many times before. What does that add to your experience there? Yes, the ambience and sound is better, but what is the unique thing about the place that will make you choose that place over another? It’s music.’’
It’s been seven years since the Delhi state excise department allowed professional musicians and singers to play in bars in a bid to bring them at par with restaurant bars in Mumbai and other metros. But 2009, Amlani believes, is the coming of age year for live music in the city.
Enter the Hard Rock Cafe, a rage across the globe for showcasing live acts. Just a few days ago it opened a new outlet in Delhi, its fourth in India. Amit Keswani, VP, sales and marketing, says its USP is music and we put a great emphasis on live acts. Our outlets are designed around a stage, not just for local bands but international bands too. And we stick to rock ‘n’ roll.
For those who don’t like rock ‘n’ roll, there are at least a dozen other live music bars to choose from. Sam Lall, editor of Blender magazine, says, ‘‘I have a great bias for Delhi as it is the best city for live music. Just the sheer number of places that have live music on offer is so huge, you are bound to find at least one place that is rocking. On any given night, there can be four-five gigs playing across town and all will have dedicated patrons.’’
He adds, ‘‘If you want Blues, you can be sure Haze (which opened three years ago) is playing them. There are places that are dedicated to electro and/or club music and have DJs giving a live performance. And of course, there is Turquoise Cottage and Cafe Morrison for classic rock.
It makes business sense because a live performance can attract at least 20-30% more footfalls. Gaurav Soral, owner of Turquoise Cottage (TC), says: ‘‘We stick to classic rock though we also encourage new bands. TC has had at least two gigs a month for 12 years and Soral points out that the crowd may change every twothree years but the kind of music they like doesn’t.
Lall agrees that people like songs they are already familiar with. This is probably why @Live, another bar, offers a song menu. ‘‘You like a song that’s on the menu, we play it for you,’’ says general manager Sunil Tickoo.
But Anup Kutty, guitarist with rock band Menwhopause, is dismissive of the new live music scene. It is full of cover bands, he complains.
Sometimes, live music, cover or original, is not enough to keep a bar alive. ITC Maurya’s Jazz Bar is a case in point. Though popular in 90s, it was replaced by the Golf Bar in 2001, in the tradition of product innovation.
Cost can be a consideration. A live performance means extra expenditure on equipment, lights and band fees. Amateur bands may not charge but well-established ones can demand anything between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25, 000 for a one-and-a-half hour performance. Which is why, says Keswani, Hard Rock has a minimum entry charge on live music nights. It may vary depending on who is performing.
But Delhi’s new passion for live music has many cheerleaders, including careerbusinessman and hobby-pianist Arjun Sagar. Sagar, part of jazz trio The Variety Hour, says there has been a lot of action of late. ‘‘I travel a lot and make it a point to attend a good gig wherever in the world I am. Back in Delhi, I terribly miss those places. Now, I see some hope,’’ he says.
Peter Eisenhower of Groove Wallah Band adds that it can only be good that Delhi is now rocking. ‘‘From playing mostly at private parties and occasionally at pubs, it is good to know there are many venues now where we can perform and be appreciated,’’ he says.
