Looking for some ‘news’ on musical gatherings this past week in Kathmandu? You’ve come to the right place!

Mass gatherings have become more common, with COVID-19 cases nearing zero and no restrictive mandates. Forced inside their houses for the last two years, people have finally gotten the chance to come out and relax, and these concerts have become one way for them to do so.

Kathmandu has always been famous for its live and underground music scene, and the post covid version of it does not fail to impress as well.

Post-Covid, many music venues have popped up in the live music scene, with old names like Purplehaze Rock Bar and LOD still asserting their dominance.

Purple Haze Rock Bar in Thamel celebrated its 10th anniversary on November 9. Albatross, one of Nepal’s most iconic rock bands, performed with Kids and Heros opening for them. Purple Haze Rock bar has recently been renovated, making it of international standard and easily comparable to or even better than the iconic Hard Rock cafe.

Albatross also recently performed at Prive Nepal, where Rachana Dahal and the Acoustix accompanied them. Many believed that Prive was not the best venue for a rock concert, regardless the show was a hit. Prive Nepal also hosted Dong the Great on the 11th of November. Mahesh Dong, popularly known as Dong the Great, is one of Nepal’s most famous rappers and has revolutionised the Nepali rap scene with his energy, production, exceptional flow, and command.

On the other end of the musical spectrum, Purple Haze Underground is an attempt to promote the underground metal scene in Nepal and has been developed in association with Purplehaze rock bar. It recently hosted the Finnish-Nepali hardcore band, Defiant and local Nepali bands The Voices Unheard and Strangle. The show was full of raw anger and energy and filled with exceptional moshing and headbanging. Defiant is now performing in Pokhara and Dharan and will finally conclude its Nepal tour in Kathmandu. Ugarkarma, Nepal’s first Death Metal band, will release their album Photonic Death’ on November 26 at Beers and Cheers, where bands like Fleshcrave and Bloodyrage will accompany them.

The second iteration of the Grasslands festival took place at the beautiful Gokarna Forest Resort on November 5. The Grasslands festival is a boutique music festival hosting artists from genres like EDM, rap and reggae while supporting local businesses. They also had an exhibition Muaythai bout and Featherweight fight. The event was filled with positive energy and dancing.