PRATEEK KUHAD AT 9:30 CLUB
BY KATHERINE CHUNGOn May 28, 2024, Prateek Kuhad delivered a mesmerizing performance at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., earning multiple standing ovations.
Hailing from Jaipur, India, Prateek Kuhad is a rising star redefining Indian music with his distinctive blend of Hindi indie and pop. Notably, his song "Cold/Mess" was featured on Barack Obama's Favorite Music List in 2019, significantly boosting his popularity in the U.S. Recently, Prateek was spotlighted in Rolling Stone India and captivated audiences at Lollapalooza India 2023. Fluent in both Hindi and English, he enjoys a global fan base. Since November 2023, the music video for his song "Mulaqat," featuring renowned Indian actress Tara Sutaria, has garnered over 9 million views on YouTube. After relocating to the U.S., Prateek released his second album, "The Way That Lovers Do." Recently, he completed the U.S. and California segments of his Silhouettes tour and will continue in Europe this October.
The Tuesday concert was a special treat after a long workday. Fans of all ages chatted in the queue, creating a family-like atmosphere. Rather than standing up to catch a glimpse of the stage, attendees nestled comfortably on the steps in the balcony or stood apart from each other on the floor, evoking the intimate vibe of a home performance rather than a traditional concert. The stage, resembling Prateek’s living room, featured nightstands with lamps, a piano on the right, and guitars on the left, with mellow guitar and piano music setting a serene pre-show ambiance.
At the beginning of his set, the crowd could tell he was engaged and ready to share stories about his songs. He even surprised them by revealing that can write songs within just 20 minutes. “It’s kind of like one of those ‘yeah’ moments where you get in a flow and write the song, just in one sitting and go for it. I wrote this song in like 20 minutes or something. It’s kind of how two people are in love, but you feel like your love is not as intense as theirs or even feel it at all.” Fans who might not grasp all the lyrics in Hindi could still connect deeply with his messages and vivid imagery about love, resonating across various cultural backgrounds.
As he moved to the right side of the stage and took his place at the piano, he enlightened the audience with a selection of light, fun, and sweet-sounding melodies that had couples in the balcony swaying. The ambiance in the room remained mellow as he continued his set. The projections and lighting followed suit, transitioning from warm orange hues to cool blue and white tones to complement the shift from guitar to piano.
In the latter portion of his performance, a standout moment arose when he delved into the narrative behind his song "I'm Someone New," which he has not released yet but consistently shares during his tour. “Just being around the person [you love] can change you and almost transform you into a new human being in all the best ways possible. The energy of this person is amazing and they just make you feel better.”
Concluding his performance, Kuhad returned to the left side of the stage, where his acoustic guitar was placed on a stand. Finally, he captivated the audience with four songs, casting a love spell with couples swaying both on the balcony and the dance floor. If you ever have the chance to experience a live show in a foreign language, akin to Kuhad's, this is perfect for a night out with friends for your next date night or outing with friends.