UPSTAIRS CONCERTS LLP

In their own words

We're a startup aimed at the revival and propagation of Indian Classical through increased accessibility and marketing. Upstairs is a Delhi based initiative focused on Indian classical music. We host small-format, ticketed concerts and Immersives designed to create an intimate and a deep listening experience. The initiative was originally launched in 2018 at a personal scale with the goal of building a paying audience for classical music while ensuring fair compensation and autonomy for artists. In 2025, we relaunched as Upstairs, with renewed focus and ambition. In less than a year, we hosted 26 concerts, trained organizers across India to start their own baithaks, and created a movement that's now being replicated by brands and individuals alike. We're not just a concert series; we're building the infrastructure for classical music to become normal, accessible, and valued. Our audience primarily consists of young, urban professionals between the ages of 25–45 who discover us through Instagram. Many are first-time listeners of classical music, not insiders or experts. It's not uncommon for attendees to bring parents or children, or for children to book tickets on behalf of older relatives. We are as invested in building a community of thoughtful, curious listeners as we are in curating incredible performances. We guide first-time audiences toward deeper listening, encourage shared conversations over dinner, and foster a culture where people stay till the end, bound by genuine connection. We have kept the scope of our curation intentionally narrow. We focus on early to mid-career musicians who are actively pursuing Indian classical music. Each event is curated personally, with an emphasis on selecting artists who are skilled, risk-taking, and aligned with our ethos of honest expression. All artists are paid fairly for their work, with no expectation of "devotional" performances or free labor, which is unfortunately still common in many parts.

Written by the company on its public Startup India profile. Not verified by us.