Independent artists took center stage at Offstage Live, a new community-first showcase hosted by Dhaval Kothari’s platform All By Play, which debuted at AntiSocial Mumbai. With a packed house and a lineup of singer-songwriters from across the country, the evening spotlighted the emotional and unpolished layers of India’s indie music ecosystem.
Conceived as a space to celebrate the stories behind the songs — the creative grind and the lived experiences of indie musicians — Offstage Live featured performances by The Kabir, Pulkit Jain, Ashu Shukla, and Prateeksha Srivastava.
“This is the first time we’ve put together something like this since launching All By Play three years ago,” said Kothari. “We wanted to create a space where artists could bring their raw, real selves to the stage.”
The evening opened with The Kabir, performing a heartfelt set of originals including Ishq Mera Hai, Do Dil, and Becheniyan. “This was the first time I performed my own songs live,” he said. “It felt warm, intimate — almost like playing for family.”
Pulkit Jain followed, switching between guitar and piano to bring his signature mix of vulnerability and satire, including the tongue-in-cheek Pyaare. “Seeing so many familiar faces — friends, fans, fellow artists — was incredibly energising. This kind of space is so rare,” he noted.
Ashu Shukla, whose track Har Ek Pal has quietly crossed 13M streams, kept the crowd engaged with stripped-down renditions of fan favourites. “This was my first time performing as part of a lineup like this — and I’d love to do it again,” he shared.
The night closed with Prateeksha Srivastava, whose recent collaborations with Vishal Mishra (Holi Aayi Re) and solo releases (Birha, Jiya Kaanch Ka) have built her a growing audience across platforms. “It didn’t feel like work,” she said post-set. “It felt like home.”
The event was supported by PDL (Phonographic Digital Limited) as title sponsor, along with Women of Music India as community partner and Brand Banter Media handling publicity.
