Lounge Review | BlueFROG, New Delhi

Music composers Dhruv Ghanekar and Ashutosh Phatak, film-makers Mahesh Mathai and Srila Chatterjee, and former investment banker Simran Mulchandani played a wild card when they opened blueFROG in Mumbai in 2007. It revolutionized the city’s indoor live music scene, hosting greats ranging from Zakir Hussain to the Austrian beatboxing group Bauchklang, while also providing a platform to up and coming performers. It was only a matter of time before a second edition was due.

Music rings: A view of one of the 13 sitting pods.BlueFROG New Delhi, which opened on Thursday, is situated in a 100-year-old sarai (traveller’s inn), overlooking the Qutab Minar. It is a 6,000 sq. ft space with a seating capacity of around 100 in 13 pod-like enclosures and a standing capacity of 600-700.

BlueFROG New Delhi will have the music aficionado blow a trumpet. The fine-dining has been segregated to an outdoor area called The Courtyard. Drinks and “one-hand food” will be served inside, says Mathai.

The sound design—by Sound Wizard from Auroville, with equipment from German audio giants d&b audiotechnik—is an upgrade from the Mumbai venue as well. The space is a design delight, with the sarai ruins beautifully restored by Series Architects (London/Mumbai), who were also responsible for blueFROG Mumbai’s metamorphosis from a century-old mill compound to a plush concert venue.

BlueFROG New Delhi will run live music six nights a week (Mondays closed), with international artistes featuring regularly. There won’t be giant leaps in terms of the programming. But while genres have ranged from jazz, Blues, funk, soul and Afro/Latin to electronic club rock folk and more, the Delhi space will open its doors to Indian folk music and dance on the open-air terrace starting February.

Courtesy liveMINT.com - Anindita Ghose