New Delhi: Singer Vishal Dadlani recently shared a video on social media announcing his new music platform, The Playlist, which aims to provide musicians from all genres an opportunity to perform on stage and a chance to connect with the music industry. The show is scheduled to begin on 15 June at the Piano Man Jazz Club in Delhi.
In the video, Dadlani also highlighted the low participation of women artists in the initiative. He shared that out of nearly 1,500 entries received so far, only around 120 have come from women musicians, making up only eight per cent of the total submissions.
“This is not a fair representation of the power of women in Indian music. I feel we can do much better than this. Ladies, if you’re out there making music, please send it in,” Dadlani said.
The musician has also been serving as a judge on the singing reality show Indian Idol since 2018. Over the years, the show has provided a platform to several emerging singers and aspiring artists from across the country.
In another video also shared on Instagram, Dadlani spoke about an earlier show he had organised, The Trial, which was limited to Mumbai and catered to artists creating original music. The new show, The Playlist, expands that vision by opening the platform to artists from across India.
“I want to hear all your music. I want all of you to show up at your best. I hope we are going to change the game forever,” he remarked.
Both shows have been created with the aim of providing opportunities and a platform for emerging artists. On 9 February, Dadlani also shared a note addressing aspiring singers, urging them to rely on talent rather than recommendations from influential people.
“Some advice for newbie singers: Don’t get some mantri ji or his secretary to call me. This is a guaranteed way to never meet me,” he wrote.
“I have zero respect for people who try to make their way forward through contacts,” Dadlani added.
Dadlani’s post about The Playlist has been flooded with messages of support from aspiring and independent artists.
“Vishal, love your initiative here for us female artists,” one user commented.
“I really wish you are able to live-stream this someday for people who can’t come to Delhi for the event,” another user wrote.
“Such an amazing thing for independent artists,” a third user commented.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)