No Neighbours Around. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Defying any whispers of a fading band culture in India, Bengaluru’s seasoned rock scene figures, Vishwas Karanth and Avishek Dasgupta, are making waves. Vishwas, known for his platform Gigital India which champions emerging independent artists, has joined forces with Avishek, frontman of prog band The Pulse Theory and head of Dogmatix events. Together, they are launching the Higher Ground Music Festival, an exciting indoor event set to kick off on October 10 at The Raft in Koramangala.
The festival’s core mission is to elevate local bands, granting them coveted performance slots at some of Bengaluru’s most popular venues. The opening day will showcase rock powerhouses No Neighbours Around and Simplemanradio, alongside the captivating singer-songwriter Aanchal Bordoloi. Day Two introduces the much-anticipated ‘breakthrough stage,’ meticulously curated from over 50 applications, highlighting the freshest faces and sounds in the independent music scene.
Vishwas shared the challenges of selecting just five acts, noting, “It was incredibly tough because the talent pool was immense. We prioritized bands formed within the last couple of years, basing our decisions on their submitted audio and video content. We genuinely wish we could have accommodated more, as so many aspiring bands truly earned a spot.” Avishek emphasized, “The showcase for emerging artists truly encapsulates the spirit of this festival.”
Simplemanradio. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
To that end, the breakthrough stage will feature alternative prog rock band Perception Delta from Chennai, alt-rock band OrchidEyes, rock act Rocktooth, the Ahin Viswam Project, and singer-songwriter Tarita. The stage will be headlined by the metallers As Oceans Flatline. The festival concludes on Day Three with performances by The Pulse Theory, rock band Rascals of the First Order, and acoustic artist Abhinav Varma. An additional rooftop sundowner session will also feature the seasoned singer-guitarist Noel D’Gama.
Avishek highlighted that this festival is a completely DIY endeavor. “Our primary intent was to carve out a unique space, blending performances from established local acts with rising talents who often struggle to find opportunities to present their music,” he explained.
Chennai-based Perception Delta, who recently unveiled their debut single ‘Haunt You,’ is particularly excited about their Bengaluru debut. Vocalist Antara Arvind remarked that this is their “first out-of-town ticketed gig.” She added, “It’s especially meaningful as it’s a festival dedicated to showcasing independent music and gives new bands like ours a crucial opportunity to perform our original material.”
Drummer Shrikar mentioned that the band is actively refining their sound and curating their setlist. Guitarist Nirav Adrian articulated their simple philosophy as an emerging band: “The right stages for us are simply the ones eager to host us! We’re thrilled to present what we’ve been passionately creating.” Bassist Kurian John further revealed that their performance will include their debut single ‘Haunt You’ along with other tracks that delve into broader societal themes.
Aanchal Bordoloi. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
On Day One, Aanchal Bordoloi will perform alongside guitarist Piyush Chhetri, fresh off the release of her new Bossa Nova-inspired track, ‘Brazilian Girl.’ She describes the song as a source of instant hope, stating, “The lyrics transport me to a faraway island, prompting dreams and a desire to sway to its music – it truly embodies themes of escape and belonging.”
Beyond her performance, Aanchal will also serve as the festival’s host, introducing various artists. The Chennai-based artist, originally from Assam, shared her journey into progressive rock, influenced by local bands like Rainburn, The Pulse Theory, and Space Remedy, and noted the significant evolution of Bengaluru’s live music landscape. She also has another Bengaluru performance scheduled for November 9, as part of the Femme Music Global and Nyima Records’ showcase at Fandom.
The Pulse Theory, according to Avishek, plans to close the festival with a “high-octane set” of their original songs. “This will be our final series of shows for the year before we return in 2026 with fresh material and our upcoming album,” he announced.
Both Vishwas and Avishek acknowledge the existing “constraints” within Bengaluru’s current live music scene, particularly for independent bands. However, they are optimistic that the Higher Ground Music Festival can make a significant positive impact. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are even considering making it a biennial event,” Vishwas concluded.
The Higher Ground Music Festival runs from October 10 to 12 at The Raft, Koramangala. Tickets are available for ₹499 per day or ₹999 for all three days via SkillBox.