At Phoenix Market city, Dublin Square, Kurla, Mumbai, a die-hard crowd sporting tattoos, black leather pants and jackets, denims, gathered on Friday  31^st July 2026, to witness Sikkim’s renowned hard rock and heavy metal act, Girish and the Chronicles (GATC) live in concert.

The venue radiated pure '80s rock energy, set by the visual intensity of long hair, a shirtless drummer behind the kit, and lean guitarists holding down the stage flanks. While we know how Girish usually opens his shows, with his famous sound check routine and finishes with Heart Stuck, the band adapted seamlessly to the venue's setup, setting off an electric mood across the floor from the moment they took the stage.

The setlist was a masterfully crafted balance of heavy originals, unexpected surprises, and timeless rock anthems. The band treated the crowd to their heavy single Kaal, fan-favourite anthem Rock the Highway, and teased iconic rock riffs throughout the night to keep the audience hooked. They paid homage to classic rock with covers of Welcome to the Jungle and Knockin' on Heaven's Door.

The absolute highlight was when they delivered their heavy metal rendition of Adele’s soulful ballad Set Fire to the Rain in their own style. Just as Dolly Parton reshaped Zeppelin's anthem into her own signature style, GATC completely flipped Adele’s pop ballad on its head, injecting heavy riffs, roaring solos, and soaring metal vocals into its DNA. They didn't just play a cover; they gave it the same goose bump-inducing impact and reversed emotional shift that makes iconic reimagining’s so moving, transforming it into a piece of music that feels just as powerful as the original.

Behind this sonic impact was a band operating at full force: lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Girish Pradhan, lead guitarist Suraz Sun, bassist Yogesh Pradhan, and drummer Nagen Nags. Girish showcased his incredible versatility as a true one-man army, effortlessly handling soaring vocal runs, ripping lead and bass guitar work, and even stepping behind the drum kit for a while. This level of talent reinforces why GATC made history as quarterfinalists on America's Got Talent (AGT) a groundbreaking milestone for Indian rock. Cementing their reputation as a powerhouse live act, they earned their stripes on an international scale by taking the stage as the primary opening act for legendary heavyweights Guns N' Roses, commanding the arena and captivating thousands of die-hard rock fans.

Even when minor technical hiccups disrupted the middle of the set, Girish didn't hesitate for a second, he picked up his guitar, walked up front, and tore through an impromptu solo, delivering a statement of pure grit that proved the "show must go on."

The band eventually closed their set with a massive, four-beat drum coda to mark their final curtain call, leaving the head banging audience completely electrified. In a modern music scene heavily dominated by electronic tracks and dance-pop, dedicated rock fans rarely get to experience genuine, hard-hitting live shows like this.

GATC proves that they are far more than just a quiet service light waiting in the background; they are a blazing spotlight, carrying the torch and paving the future for Indian rock bands on the world stage.

Band: Girish and the Chronicles (GATC)

Band Members:

Girish Pradhan – Lead Vocals 

Suraz Sun – Lead Guitar

Yogesh Pradhan – Bass Guitar

Nagen Nags – Drums

Venue: Dublin Square, Phoenix Market City, Kurla, Mumbai

Genre: Hard Rock / Heavy Metal 

Concert Rating: ★★★☆☆

Reviewed by Darshan Holkar

Darshan Holkar is an enthusiastic listener across all musical genres, a music producer, singer, and music critic. Having worked in artist management alongside hands-on studio production, live concert coverage, and artist interviews, he brings a broad perspective to sound, stage, and visual direction. Darshan continues to pursue his passion for music and creative expression professionally.