Back from Glastonbury Festival

Recently, the vast fields of Glastonbury, England, echoed with a new sound: a cacophony of English accents chanting in semi-mangled Kannada.

The crowds’ eyes were fixed on the five men in multi-coloured ‘lungis’, as Raghu Dixit and his band led them in their song ‘Lokada Kalaji’ until the audience erupted in laughs and cheers. The group met with equally enthusiastic reactions when they returned to Bengaluru. Wherever they go, their unique blend of fusion melodies and instrumentals earn accolades from fans and critics alike.

One of the only Indian bands to perform at the Glastonbury Festival –– one of the largest music festivals in the world — it comprises frontman Raghu Dixit, bassist/manager Gaurav Vaz, drummer Joe Jacob, flautist Parth Chandiramani and guitarist Bryden Lewis.

“They don’t call it the biggest music festival in the world for nothing,” laughs Gaurav. “It’s an incredible and humbling feeling to be on stage with such appreciation.” 

Throughout their career, which has taken them from Bengaluru to Brighton, they have found that engaging with a Western audience, with non-English music, comes with its own challenges.

Band members half-jokingly wish their Western audiences could speak Hindi and Kannada. But while that remains a pipe dream, the group finds other ways to involve foreign audiences.

“Raghu introduces each song and explains the lyrics in a simple and humorous way,” says Gaurav. On most nights, they even get their English audiences to sway and sing along. They get English musicians to sing along as well, like when they had an impromptu jam session with ‘Coldplay’s’ Chris Martin on his recent New Delhi visit.

Maintaining the social element of their music remains a priority with them. Time spent connecting with their fans on either side of the world is as fulfilling for them as onstage adulation or financial success.

The band had a unique opportunity to connect with one family on their last international tour.
When a fan letter from Valerie –– a dedicated fan from UK –– arrived telling them her husband Kevin was terminally ill, the band didn’t just send a condolence card. After a performance at a music festival, they surprised Kevin and Valerie by performing a private concert for them at their home in Hitchin, England.

“This was special. To see a family deal with that in such a positive and encouraging manner brings a smile to anyone’s face and gives all of us hope,” says Gaurav.

After returning home to India, the band members were eager for some much needed relaxation, time with family and home-cooked Indian food.

The band has a unique perspective and insight into the global music industry. From Raghu’s perspective, folk music is becoming more daring and experimental,
 a development that excites him.

While the number of international Indian acts is still small, he believes that Indian artistes are well-suited for global success. “The market exists and requires dedication, perseverance and most importantly, investment of time, effort and money. If you do things right, there is literally a whole world out there that is waiting for your music.”