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Time of India

The rise of soulful concerts

They sell out arenas, auditoriums and also go on multi-city tours, but its the concert experience they offer that separates them from the mainstream performers like Guns N' Roses, Travis Scott, Bryan Adams. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Attendees not only dance at these gigs but sway to the rhythm. They focus on something more inward – a shared experience of inner peace, reflection and meditation – a soulful concert. India's live entertainment scene is evolving, making room for more than just a spectacle. When artistes like Rishab Rikhiram Sharma and Jahnavi Harrison perform, they offer a different kind of concert experience – one that transcends genre and creates a soulful, immersive environment. These are concerts not just for the audience, but with them. It's less about stimulation, more about satiation of the soul. 'This is a mix of spirituality, culture, and entertainment,' explains Deepak Choudhary of Eva Live. 'The vibe is defined by the music, but it's the shared emotional space that sets it apart.' Jahnavi Harrison recently performed in Delhi and Chandigarh 'New-age artistes are democratising the genre' This inclination towards culturally rooted music is not a nascent phenomenon. India's love for classical and fusion music dates back to several decades, courtesy communities such as SPIC MACAY, adds a District Spokesperson, adding, 'These communities have done a great job popularising this genre across generations. Building on this, today, new-age artistes such as Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, Anoushka Shankar and Jahnavi Harrison are further democratising this genre, making it more accessible and engaging for a larger, younger audience. Interestingly, the audience drawn to these concerts represent more than just dedicated fans. The attendees, increasingly seeking authentic connections to their cultural heritage, find a powerful and resonant thread in this music, offering both artistic fulfillment and a deeper sense of belonging.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rishab Rikhiram Sharma conducted a ten-city India tour titled Sitar for Mental Health 'Such concerts aim for emotional and spiritual connection With instruments like the dhol, sitar, and harmonium, these events are rooted in Indian classical and devotional traditions, yet carry a contemporary freshness. The artistes may vary in genre and style, but the common thread is great content, curated with intention and depth. 'It's about the vibe – different artistes bring different flavours, but the purpose remains shared experience,' shares Deepak. Explaining the category of these concerts, Mohit Bijlani from Team Innovation, shares, 'It is a form of sonicmeditation. The atmosphere at these concerts is distinct, characterised by energy that encourages both vulnerability and introspection. It transcends a mere performance; it's a collective gathering centered on shared presence and profound spiritual exploration.' The focus is beyond just performance. 'These concerts are curated keeping in consideration the subtle feelings, emotional or spiritual connection and fostering a strong sense of community among the attendees. The venue and its setup contribute significantly to this unique and often more intimate atmosphere,' points out the District Spokesperson. Acyuta Gopi, who is also going on tour in India, shares that 'This is a new genre of immersive entertainment with spirituality at its core' 'Substantial portion of attendees fall within the 25-40 age bracket, contrasting the previously dominant 50+ demographic' Interestingly, the demographic is shifting for these gigs drawing in the 25–40 age group, who are driven by FOMO and the search for something meaningful. 'These gigs tap into the deep-seated human desire for meaning, community, and transformative experience, with contemporary artistic expression. Interestingly, we've observed a significant demographic shift, with a substantial portion of attendees falling within the 25-40 age bracket, contrasting the previously dominant 50+ demographic for events of this nature,' points out Mohit Bijlani. Radhika Das is set to go on a nine city tour in India in November this year ' Soulful concerts are demonstrably gaining momentum, rivalling mainstream genres' The movement is no longer niche. These concerts are filling stadiums, selling out in hours, and becoming just as popular as mainstream music events. 'They will become bigger in the coming time,' says Deepak. 'These concerts are demonstrably gaining momentum, as an increasing number of individuals recognise their capacity to heal and inspire. They signify a cultural evolution towards prioritising experiences that genuinely nourish the human spirit, rather than merely stimulating the senses. Indeed, these concerts are now filling stadiums and rivaling mainstream genres in popularity. We've experienced sold-out shows within hours of announcement, and consistently fill arenas – exceeding 10,000 attendees,' adds Mohit.