Sravasti Datta reports that live music has become an integral part of Bengaluru's arts scene in recent times. One of the key figures driving this trend is Carlton Braganza, a versatile individual involved in various roles such as artist, restaurant owner, designer, writer, curator, and entertainer. Braganza has been successful in engaging audiences through innovative methods, such as initiating the online music series Jukebox Jammies during the COVID lockdown. In a conversation with Bangalore Times, Braganza discusses the evolving music landscape in the city and areas for improvement. He observes a lack of sufficient venues and interest in live music despite the thriving online content scene. Carlton reflects on the shift in trends towards more commercial and digital music consumption, highlighting the challenges faced by live music establishments in generating revenue. He emphasizes the importance of cultivating an audience that embraces new music trends and expresses concerns about the decline in audience loyalty in the current music scene.Venues like Opus, The Humming Tree, and BFlat do not have a distinct identity, according to Carlton. He notes that the band culture is on the decline as musicians tend to change bands frequently. While some new acts emerge, there has been a lack of new bands in the past decade. Carlton believes that exploring new music forms and venues is crucial. He supports street performances like busking as a genuine way to test one's skills in unfamiliar settings. Additionally, he advocates for experimenting with different venue locations such as old churches, theaters, or local parks instead of sticking to traditional formats. Regarding the use of artificial intelligence in music, Carlton sees it as a tool that can enhance creativity despite some seeing it as a gimmick. Carlton has reimagined the famous Opus KroaKnights into the KroaKING singing contest at Kempegowda International Airport to bring back memories of old Bengaluru and showcase local talent.The event is fantastic as it aims to revive the essence of old Bengaluru. Many previous winners and finalists who participated in our past events have established themselves in the industry for more than a decade. We have engaged them as judges and mentors," he shares. Regarding the upcoming Coldplay concert, Carlton expresses, "I saw them perform at the Stade de France. Their show is phenomenal, but their music caters to a wide audience. Personally, I am not particularly fond of their music."
