A new concert series in Bengaluru is bringing together bands that define a new era of Indian rock. While the term brings to mind torchbearers such as Indus Creed, Parikrama, Motherjane, Avial and others, Reincarock is gathering Bengaluru-based bands who are carrying forward the movement.<\/p>\n
The first edition of Reincarock will take place on November 15 at The Humming Tree in Indiranagar, and brings together the bilingual rock band Kutcheri, multilingual prog-fusion band Param, and classical-inspired rock band Tarana.<\/p>\n
The show\u2019s promoter Siddhanth Sarkar, from event collective SurgeCulture, says Reincarock has been taking shape since the start of this year. \u201cSome of the most exciting rock now comes from homegrown bands drawing on Carnatic, Hindustani, folk and regional traditions, but there wasn\u2019t a platform specifically built around that sound. So this first edition is exactly about that: a revival of Indian rock and all the directions it is branching into,\u201d says Siddhanth.<\/p>\n
Believing that this is the \u201ckind of fluidity that will push the scene forward,\u201d he says the plan is to host Reincarock annually, if not a couple of times a year. \u201cFuture editions could spotlight folk rock, regional-language bands, or scenes from other cities,\u201d Siddhanth says.<\/p>\n
The concert marks the return of Kutcheri after about three years off stage, although the band have been working on songs even as members relocated away from the city. Formed in 2016, Kutcheri released their latest Hindi song \u2018Dhoondne\u2019 on November 6, bringing a distinct math-rock and post-hardcore vibe unlike any other band in the country by singing in Hindi and incorporating Carnatic vocal elements.<\/p>\n
Guitarist and producer Soorya Praveen says preparing for their comeback has been a blend of \u201cnostalgia and rediscovery.\u201d He explains, \u201cNostalgia because it reminds us of when we were younger and working on this material. Somewhere between writing and producing these songs, all of us grew up. A lot has changed since then, but the primary thing that stayed the same is the joy we get from writing music together.\u201d Their setlist will include songs such as \u2018Endigu\u2019 and \u2018Preethi Sadhyave,\u2019 along with \u2018Dhoondne\u2019 and a few unreleased songs.<\/p>\n
![\"Param\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/lgf5r9\/article71701224.ece\/alternates\/FREE_1200\/Param%20band%20photo%202026.jpg\" "\\"Param\\"")
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Soorya admits that while it may sound vain, they are now \u201cbetter versions of ourselves\u201d compared to a decade ago. \u201cWe are more mature, patient and open-minded; it helps in more ways than one, especially when new music is being produced. There is an abundance of excitement for exploration now more than ever,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Param\u2019s drummer Mayur GS says they are packing in songs from their debut album Upasana<\/i>, even as they work on their next album. \u201cIn fact, five of the songs on the setlist will be unreleased material, so there is plenty of new music to look forward to. There will also be a strong presence of Kannada lyrics,\u201d says Mayur.<\/p>\n
Tarana, which came together during the pandemic through jam sessions, say their setlist will include fan-favourites such as \u2018Manovega\u2019, \u2018Saaral\u2019 and \u2018Kaledhode\u2019, along with a few renditions of Kannada traditional songs and unreleased tracks from their upcoming album. \u201cReincarock will be one of the first places audiences will hear them live,\u201d the band says in a joint statement.<\/p>\n
All three bands agree that the idea of giving Kannada rock bands a platform is much needed. Mayur says it would help build a stronger music community, while Tarana notes they get to build an audience for their original music at a time when private and corporate gigs enjoy more frequent bookings, where they stick to covering popular songs.<\/p>\n
According to Tarana, the process is \u201cslow but rewarding.\u201d They say, \u201cOur songs blend Carnatic and Hindustani influences with rock, so people sometimes need to hear them live before it clicks. When they do, the response is amazing, and clips of our songs online have also brought in new listeners. We are hoping platforms such as Reincarock lead to more chances to play our originals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kutcheri\u2019s guitarist Sucheth Ramprasad adds that the biggest difference in the last decade for Kannada music \u2014 across all styles and genres \u2014 has been its presence on streaming platforms, leading to more listeners. \u201cPeople largely discovered Kannada music through films, and there weren\u2019t as many avenues to explore music outside that ecosystem. Streaming has changed that considerably. It has allowed listeners to discover independent artistes and music beyond film soundtracks, and I think that has been one of the biggest shifts in the scene,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Now more than ever, with that fan base growing, these bands can continue their expansion. Kutcheri\u2019s singer and songwriter Srikar Athreya says, \u201cLanguage exploration is deeply burnt into our thinking as we\u2019ve been living in a time and place that is extremely cosmopolitan in nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayur adds, \u201cA lot of our Kannada songs feature original lyrics rather than adaptations of existing Carnatic or folk compositions. We believe there is a real need for more bands to create original music in regional languages. It is important to showcase the land we come from, the language we speak and the musical roots we identify with.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reincarock takes place on November 15 at The Humming Tree, Indiranagar. Tickets on SkillBox, priced at \u20b9499 (student pass), \u20b9799 (general admission) and \u20b9999 (group of 3), plus \u20b9500 cover charge<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n