Mumbai has a relatively vibrant live music scene as compared to other cities in India. Specific to rock, a large number of concerts happen via college festivals and rock competitions. There are a few venues that have regular and periodical live concerts, and most of these have opened up in the last five years. Very few international rock acts perform in Mumbai predominantly because of high entertainment taxes levied on live outdoor performances. Also, as India is a developing economy, most international acts that play here are either well past their prime (Deep Purple, Aerosmith), and/or are finding it difficult to find dates in developed economies (the This Is Spinal Tap syndrome).
Indian rock audiences predominantly come to watch a show. That is, if they see a guitarist shredding some great riffs with a decent sound setup they usually appreciate. Which is why hard rock acts usually work better than softer more 'adult-alternative' sounds. However, over the last few years, audiences have become more discerning and appreciate a sound that is tight and well performed, regardless of how technically skilled it may or may not be.
Clubs
Hard Rock Cafe
Hard Rock Cafe opened its Mumbai operations in 2007 and came as a welcome addition to the live music scene in Mumbai that had precious few regular gig venues. Located in Lower Parel, and with a highly accessible Rs 100 entry charge (on most nights), the venue has regular live music nights which feature Indian artists, and also brings several popular international pop music stars (Wyclef Jean, Jay Sean) to perform.
However, Lower Parel is the hotbed of the Mumbai communications marketing industry. Several ad agencies, publications, news media, etc have their offices located in or around this area. A large number of the mid-level employees of these organisations are patrons of Hard Rock Cafe and predominantly so for the food and the non-live music ambience of the place. As a result, the number of people present on live music nights, who are there genuinely for the music, are few.
Not Just Jazz By The Bay
NJJBTB, formerly known as Jazz By The Bay, is one of the oldest music venues in Mumbai. It has been around for years and has regular live music performances by a variety of bands, both Mumbai based and from out of town. The venue itself is pretty small, and can barely fit 100 people. Yet, NJJBTB has come to be known as one of the vanguards of the live Mumbai rock music scene. This is mainly because, until about five years ago, NJJBTB was the most prominent regular live music venue in the city.
It is also unique because the owners will allow most new bands to take the stage, but only if they can guarantee a certain number of people will come to the concert.
Rock Competitions
Independence Rock
Independence Rock is one of the country’s oldest and most prolific, nation-wide, battle of the bands competition. It has seen 23 instalments and performances from bands across the country. In the ‘90s, the competition was restricted to bands that were in Mumbai, or could afford to travel to Mumbai from the cities where they were based. In the mid-‘00s, the competition went nationwide, with regional eliminations and the final round being held in Mumbai. Till 2003, the competition was held at a large amphitheatre near St Xavier’s College called Rang Bhavan. However, after legal troubles caused via poorly thought out live music regulations, the venue was forever sealed to live music.
Since then I-Rock, as it is known by its regulars, is held at the Chitrakut Grounds in Andheri, which, on usual days, serves as a parking lot for a nearby multiplex. It has been a fall from grace for I-Rock, but not in stature. The concert routinely sees crowds in the thousands and sponsorship by some major youth brands.
Livewire, Mood-Indigo
College cultural festivals are a major part of any college student’s life in Mumbai, and for that matter, in India. Perhaps the largest college festival in Mumbai happens in December every year at the campus of IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) in Powai. Mood-Indigo (or Mood-I) rivals Malhar, the cultural festival of St Xavier’s college Mumbai in size, though Livewire, it’s rock competition, is by far the biggest of any college in the city.
Livewire sees participation from bands all over the country. The preliminary eliminations happen over 2-3 days prior to the event on the IIT campus itself, with the finals taking place, usually before a packed crowd, at IIT’s massive amphitheatre. Over the last few years several Indian band who have won Livewire have become top anticipated performers. Several youth brands sponsor Livewire and their banners hang from the walls of the IIT campus and also on the backdrop of the stage.
Others
Cause Based Events
These are events that are usually held in support of some charitable or national cause. These events are highly publicised in mainstream media and usually see the attendance of a variety of celebrities depending on the cause, and the promoter of the event. In 2008, one of the biggest of these was the Rock On For Humanity event which happened in support of the floods that devastated a major portion of the state of Bihar during the monsoon season. These events usually take place at the MMRDA grounds in Bandra with large outdoor stages and major corporate backing as a result of the celebrity and CSR association.
Festivals
India doesn’t really have too many large music festivals of note. In Mumbai, the One Tree Music Festival is one of the few that has survived with any measure of success. This festival is usually sponsored by a liquor brand like Johnny Walker and sees performances by obscure international acts.