Over the years that Indian music has thrived outside of the film soundtrack space, it’s gained popularity within the country and internationally. Here are artists who have repped India on global stages.
Photo: Roskilde/Bill Ebbesen
In 2011, the Raghu Dixit Project expanded their reach by performing at one of U.K.’s most attended festivals, Glastonbury. The Bengaluru folk-fusion act brought Kannada, Hindi and a bit of English with a high-energy set.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist
In 2014, DJ Shaan made history by becoming the first Indian DJ and electronic music artist to perform at one of the most attended music festivals in world, Tomorrowland in Belgium. The artist even shared a vlog last year looking back at the feat.
Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Mumbai extreme metal band Demonic Resurrection were among the first Indian metal bands to be invited to perform at Germany’s Wacken Open Air in 2014. While others had competed as part of Wacken Metal Battle and repped India, DR played as part of their Europe tour.
Photo: Courtesy of the Artist
In 2019, Kerala fusion band Thaikkudam Bridge made history as the first Indian artist to perform at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Considered one of the biggest festivals – in terms of artists, days and attendance – Thaikkudam Bridge performed as part of their U.S. tour.
Photo: Courtesy of the Artist
California’s Coachella Festival is also one of the biggest music gatherings in the world and Punjabi artist Diljit Dosanjh performed across two weekends, even having DJ-producer (and regular India visitor) Diplo in the audience.
Photo: Instagram
Not many Indian artists have broken into Japanese markets, let alone a metal band. Bloodywood made history by not just performing at some of the U.S. and Europe’s biggest metal and rock festivals, but also took the stage at Fuji Rock in Japan in 2022.
Photo: Adeline L. Janovicz
In 2017, India’s desi bass don Nucleya took the decks, performing to thousands at the Electric Daisy Carnival’s original home in Las Vegas. Among the most attended U.S. music festivals, Nucleya brought his A-game, with Indian folk-flavors mixed into bass, dubstep and more.
Photo: Alive Coverage for Insomniac Events
In 2014, one of Denmark’s longest-running music events, Roskilde Festival, hosted Rajasthani folk group Barmer Boys. With a total turnout reported to be 133,000 people, Barmer Boys shared the billing with the likes of The Rolling Stones, Outkast and Stevie Wonder.
Photo: Courtesy of Amarrass Records