12 Underrated Indian Bands We ‘d Like To See Take Over Big Festival Stages This Season

Mumbai act PXP. Image: Instagram/@Neiks_Miachieo

Music celebration season is formally around the corner and in a couple of weeks, a few of India’s leading occasions will host crowd-pullers from around the world. If you’ve been following the celebration circuit for even a couple of years, you understand that promoters and managers frequently count on a smaller sized bracket of rock and metal bands to offer tickets.

While that’s a subject for another day, there are a number of other Indian bands who can do justice to the huge phase setup that celebrations provide. Metal still does not constantly aspect into a multi-genre celebration lineup, however there are still a couple of who can stroll a great balance in between available and heavy. And if you believed there was a lack of rock bands in India, reconsider. Here’s who we ‘d like to see using up area on celebration posters this season. As a reward, we likewise suggest imitate Bonny Abraham Ensemble, Gowwli and The Pulse Theory.

Gauley Bhai

With 2 albums out–Joro in 2019 and Sunbari in 2025– Kalimpong-origin Nepali folk-rock band Gauley Bhai are a fantastic example of energetic, groovy music that goes beyond any expected language barrier. From mad jazz-informed turns to unexpectedly mournful passages, Gauley Bhai can make an audience move any day.

Street Stories

Shillong/Dimapur pop-punk act Street Stories have actually been around the block for simply over a years now, however like numerous North East bands, they still have not got the phases they should have around the nation. When they have actually got those phases, nevertheless, they measure up to the braggadocio that features calling one’s full-length album The Very Best Album In The WorldHuge pop hooks, punk speed, a great deal of sex jokes, and hilariously unanticipated covers(believe Papa Roach’s “Last Resort”)– Street Stories can be an amusing, sentimental pop-punk riot on phase.

Arogya

Sikkim and Assam-origin band Arogya have actually typically chosen the tag dark rock. If you had to streamline it, the quartet bring together aspects of electronic rock, commercial rock, and metal. With 4 albums out– 2 self-titled Nepali albums, Genesis in 2021 and SuperNatural in 2023– Arogya bring roars and skyrocketing vocals, enormous riffs and folk, along with a gothic visual aesthetic in their on-stage avatar, consisting of singer Ranjong Lepcha using a relatively tribal mask.

Alva Kuuto

Bengaluru-based Tulu folk band Alva Kuuto– led by singer-songwriter Praveen Alva– load a punch on their varied launching self-titled album that came out this year. Produced by guitar player Varun Murali( from folk rockers Swarathma), the album is evidence that stories and noises can be effectively sent to audiences who might not understand the language, however can definitely identify an exciting, cool rock/metal tune, or an excellent old mild love ballad.

Meewakching

Imphal indie rockers Meewakching have actually been exploring the nation on the back of launching their 2nd album Bildungsromanwhich is as confessional as it is philosophical. Believe brilliant yet moody indie in the vein of The Strokes with post-punk impacts. They’ve been understood for their Manipuri tunes, Meewakching have actually gradually made it to various parts of India, and now the huge phases are waiting, no doubt.

Rain In Sahara

The 2nd band in this list including Ranjong Lepcha(from Arogya) on vocals, Rain In Sahara have an eco-conscious, activist technique to their rap-rock and nu metal noise. Passing current songs like “Venom”and”KPIs(Koup Performance Indicators), “the Bengaluru/Assam-based act have plenty to state about consumerist propensities and make every gig a presentation of sorts, anchored in synth and electronic components, rock songwriting, and metal breakdowns.

Snakes of Pakhangba

With a style for theatrics are Mumbai-based band Serpents of Pakhangba, established by multi-instrumentalist author Vishal J. Singh. With their newest album Air and Fire getting here previously this year, the band– with a revolving door of members around Singh and drummer Varun Sood– doubled down on storytelling like couple of others in the nation. Believe folklore-inspired outfits, deal with paint and visuals discussing spectral vocals and emotive prog rock/metal.

Rascals of the First Order

Bengaluru rock band Rascals of the First Order (ROFO)invested their developmental years proclaiming their love for Indian indie with covers of Skrat, the F16s and The Lightyears Explode, up until their launching EP Caged Authority came out previously this year. In an age of gimmicky, rush-to-the-chorus rock songwriting for the brief video crowd, ROFO craft tunes balancing 5 minutes, loaded with molten riffs, dance-y rhythms, and great deals of rage.

PXP

Mumbai artist brother or sisters Pratika and PrabhuNeigh collaborate for a brand-new job called PXP, released in 2015 with a live band that encapsulates their love for metal, rock, hip-hop and even components like konnakol. Their tune “Self Defence”is a mix of all those components, led by Pratika(likewise part of hip-hop group Wild Women), who is probably at her unfiltered finest with this job, in addition to her bro on guitars and production.

Tron 1982

Bengaluru synth-wave act Tron 1982 have actually been at it for a couple of years now, supporting the similarity The Midnight on their India trip. Synth-wave artists have actually frequently been restricted to studio tasks, Tron 1982 have actually taken on a couple of phases, consisting of Echoes of Earth celebration with a very little trio setup. With their newest single “Necrodancer”showcasing a traditional Eighties synth noise with rock and pop aspects, they show they can bring the celebration anywhere they go.

Fars away

Mumbai band Long Distances have actually been painfully denied of a huge celebration phase in the past (their Lollpalooza India 2024 early set was interrupted for no fault of their own), so 2025-26 seems like the time they recover their area on a huge phase, blasting out a wall of noise. Launching their launching EP How The Mighty Will Fall in 2024, the band passes through in between dream-pop, shoegaze, and post-punk for effective efficiencies.

Signal W

Goa-based act Signal W made an early slot at Mahindra Independence Rock in Mumbai in 2015 and are directing to Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh in September, which goes to reveal the band’s swirling electronic-alternative noise is discovering brand-new takers with time. It’s been 2 years given that the release of their 2nd album, Wonder How We Got Hereand the live variation of tunes like “Bejewel” rather properly match music celebration grandiosity.