Bengaluru Band Members Thrashed By Mob For Not Playing Kannada Song With Instruments

If you are an artist who frequently performs on stage, then you might have multiple times faced audience requests. Sometimes the artists take up the request to please the audience, whereas, at other times due to a packed schedule, an artist had to decline the requests. But, thrashing an artist because they kept the request is unacceptable.

On the night of August 2, members of a Bangalore based band were allegedly attacked for not playing Kannada songs at Phoneix Marketcity Mall in Whitefield.

The Incident

Musicstan, a four-member band, was performing at an event on August 2 in Phoneix Marketcity Mall. The 3-year-old band were allotted the time between 6:15 – 9:00 pm (including breaks). Once the band finished their performance and was packing their equipment, two drunk men approached them and asked them to play a Kannada Song. The band accepted their request and agreed to play one song without any musical instrument.

One of the band members speaking to The Logical Indian said, “We were packing our instrument when two men approached us and asked to sing a Kannada song”. He said the band generally performs Hindi songs but knowing that there might be a Kannada song request, the band keeps 2-3 songs ready. “We agreed to the request but informed that only guitar can be used since all the other equipment were packed,” he added. The men demanded the performance with all the musical instrument. “We asked them to talk to the technical team as they are responsible for plugging in the music instrument.” The two went to the technical team, but their request was turned down as the event was over. Following the rejection, one of the men hit a band member with a mic stand. At this point, one of the band members, Rohit (name changed) took out his phone and started recording the turn of events. “While Rohit was recording the incident, a group of men passing by jumped into the situation and started beating him with a mic stand. They snatched the phone and crushed it”, said the band member.

The situation was brought under control after the security staff at the mall interfered. The band took to Facebook to share their ordeal.

“We were told by the management of the Phoneix Marketcity that they will file an FIR against the mob. However, as of now, we have not received any input. We are planning to approach the management and seek reimbursement from the damage caused”, he added.

Phoenix Marketcity’s Response

Swaroopa Venkatesh, Perfect Relations officer at the Phoneix Marketcity Mall said, “The incident took place post-event, and our security guards took prompt action to bring the situation under control.” She said that the management have initiated a complaint with the Mahadevepura Police station.

Below is the press statement issued by the Phoneix Marketcity Mall following the incident.

Bangalore, August 6, 2019 : The Phoenix Marketcity Bengaluru would like to address the unforeseen incident that took place on August 2, 2019, Friday. This happened between the two parties. However, this was an altercation between two individuals post event, our potent security guards took prompt actions and managed to get the appalling situation under control. At Phoenix Marketcity we take utmost care and ensure safety and security of our visitors, local, national and international artists performing at our premises. Phoenix Marketcity is a destination of repute for events and performances and provides a platform & audience to artists ranging from aspiring bands to legendary performers in a safe & secure environment. We are a multi-lingual and multi-cultural venue and we take pride in the diversity of events and entertainment we offer.

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