blueFROG has always set the standard in promoting the cause of live independent music in India since it opened its doors in 2007. Keeping in tune with this ethos, blueFROG recently launched a campaign called ‘Live Music Live’.

This creative movement is launched by blueFROG with a view to showcase to the music lovers the versatility of Indian Classical Music and its ability to infuse with global music. The campaign has a two fold objective. Firstly it aims to bring together Indian classical musicians and artistes from other Indian and International genres on a common platform like blueFROG to experiment with and create new sounds. Secondly, it gives a rare opportunity to upcoming Indian contemporary acts to share the stage with established artistes and learn from this exchange.

The first act of this quarterly campaign was held on the 21^st of August at the blueFROG, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai. It was curated by eminent Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee and renowned percussionist Ustad Taufiq Qureshi who along with Belgian Saxaphonist and world music explorer Manuel Hermia took the stage and created a rhythmic magic.

Mahesh Mathai, Creative Director - blueFROG, quoted, “It’s a digital and electronic world which is fast moving and great, sure but I still feel the best way to experience music and be changed and influenced by it is to Live it live. We want people to take that time out and come and see what is going on in India in the world of music. It’s a great time for independent music with the boundaries between genres melting. What is emerging is catching the world’s notice.”

Says Purbayan Chatterjee: "Music always has to be lived live. Music is an experience wherein the musician and the audience are in a spiritual communion. The performer in his performance space exudes an energy that engulfs his audience and makes them one with the performance. This experience cannot be replicated via any other medium but a live one.”

Says Taufiq Qureshi: blueFROG is ideal for this kind of a musical experience, as the audience is in close clusters, relaxed and informal as are the musicians, making it great to connect with them and have fun at the same time.

Says Manuel Hermia “I believe the essence of musical language is to reach us emotionally, to go deeper than any words, and to transcend cultural differences to adopt a speech that has universal qualities. I think our generation has to explore those links between cultures.”

He further added, “We have to find this very ideal balance between the preservation of our cultural identity and an opening to other cultural influences. Our mission is to push further the boundaries of multi-cultural faceted musical language. A concept like Live Music Live is a great platform for such a mission, especially with artists like Purbayan and Taufiq, who I can relate to very well."

The guest feature of the upcoming act was the rap genre, adding a real element of fun to the night.