Bengaluru rings in the new year with new beats

Sanjay Divecha Trio

January 10 and 11, 9:30 pm onwards

Windmills, Whitefield

Entry: ₹2,000 (seating), ₹750 (standing), via windmills-india.com

Guitarist-composer Sanjay Divecha, a mainstay in the jazz, pop and fusion world, makes his way to Windmills this week with a trio setup for two concerts. The guitarist will be joined by drummer Adrian D’souza and bassist Shashank Das.

A description for the event mentions that Divecha is a core member of the supergroup Cross Currents and has shared the stage with global icons such as Zakir Hussain, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Shankar Mahadevan.

The description adds, “With over 35 years of a luminous musical career, Sanjay Divecha has collaborated with world-renowned artistes such as Angelique Kidjo, Carlos Santana, and Michael McDonald. His contributions to AR Rahman’s Oscar-winning score for 127 Hours and film soundtracks such as Woman on Top and Leela further highlight his versatility and brilliance.”

Break the Noise Vol.1

January 11, 7:30 pm onwards

Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, Koramangala

Entry: ₹399, via Insider.in, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

A new gig series starts off 2025 at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, with Break The Noise’s first edition being curated by indie singer-songwriter The Mangas. The lineup this time around features New York-based Indian artiste Shef’s Kiss, rock band Rascals of the First Order and singer-songwriter Aamir Rizvi.

Rizvi took to Instagram to talk about the concert, saying, “My first ever show in BLR is all about original music and I’m so excited to be back playing with the Mangas, Shef’s Kiss, Matthew Panakal.”

A description from the organisers says that Break the Noise is all about “shattering the monotony of typical weekend plans.” It goes on to add, “It is a bi-monthly live music event that invites Bangalore’s vibrant youth to immerse themselves in raw, electrifying energy.” The curation for future editions will continue to focus on rock and punk bands on every lineup.

Ranj x Clifr, Yatharth Bakshi

January 11, 7 pm onwards

Pizza Express, Koramangala

Entry: Free, RSVP via Skillboxes.com

Ranj x Clifr
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The ongoing Songwriter Sessions at Pizza Express marches on into the new year as well, this time bringing a diverse lineup. Hip-hop, pop and R&B-informed duo Ranj x Clifr will be performing alongside singer-songwriter Yatharth Bakshi. Talking about the intimate show, organisers Brave Cave say, “We want to feature songwriters across genres, languages and any other division to highlight the art of storytelling through music.”

Ranj aka Ranjani Ramadoss posted an update for her fans in Bengaluru on Instagram saying, “Playing one last, cosy acoustic set before we move.” The duo — who recently toured the country with Shillong artist Meba Ofilia, also put out an EP titled Play Me! in September last year. Bakshi, for his part, released his last EP In Mirrors in 2023.

Cacha Mundinho

January 12, 5:45 pm onwards

The Blue Room, Jayanagar

Entry: ₹750, via Skillboxes.com

Cacha Mundinho
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The globe-trotting band Cacha Mundinho (which translates into “catch a small world” from Portuguese) are making their way to Bengaluru for an intimate, collaborative set at The Blue Room this week.

Known for drawing from Portuguese and Iberian music traditions, Cacha Mundinho travels via North Africa and the Middle East to India and Brazil. The band is led by Joana Almeida, regarded as one of the first female, classical fado guitarists in Portugal. An event description states, “She composes original pieces in Portuguese, inspired by fado and traditional Portuguese troubadour songs but with her own unique and contemporary take on tradition. Elements from Portugal, Middle East, Africa, Brazil and Indian music are combined with the improvisatory agility of top-notch jazz.”

The Amsterdam-based act also brings in percussionist Sjahin During, Maripepa Contreras on oboe/duduk, and Pedro Ivo Ferreira on double bass. In India, however, Cacha Mundinho’s Joana and Sjahin will collaborate with Amith Nadig on Carnatic flute, and Aman Mahajan on piano, “for a special crossover experience of their music,” the description states.

Killa P, MC Solomon and More

January 12, 8 pm onwards

Koramangala Social

Entry: ₹499 via Insider.in

Killa P
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

As part of a three-city tour organised by Social Offline and AMNAP (Always Make Noise and Party) Records, UK grime and hip-hop comes to town with seasoned artistes such as Killa P and MC Solomon performing in Bengaluru this week. They will be supported by Indian DJ-producers such as Yung.Raj, Big Trouble aka Tanush Hegde and Ira BB aka Ira Banerjee.

The event description adds, “This is your chance to experience one of the genre’s true pioneers live and direct.”

Killa P last toured India in early 2024 and is best known for being among the pioneers of the UK grime movement, and part of crews such as Roll Deep and Cemetery Warriors. He released his latest album Killing Time in November last year. The event description adds, “Known for anthems like ‘Topper Top’ and collaborations with grime heavyweights such as Skepta, Killa P’s unique flow and unmatched stage presence are guaranteed to light up Bengaluru.”