A beautiful life with Peter Cat Recording Co

Going to this show made me truly realize I am living “A Beautiful Life”.

On October 6th, 2024, Peter Cat Recording Co. took the stage at Oakland’s historic Fox Theater, delivering a genre-defying performance that kept the audience entranced from the first note to the final encore. The Delhi-based band, known for blending alternative rock, cabaret, and gypsy jazz, transformed the venue into a mesmerizing fusion of sound, light, and emotion. Their eclectic mix of musical styles, paired with their deeply introspective lyrics, created an experience that was both exhilarating and thought-provoking.

The band opened with “People Never Change,” a standout track from their latest album, BETA (2024). Suryakant Sawhney, the group’s charismatic frontman, immediately commanded the audience’s attention. His voice, alternately smooth and raw, filled the theater, while Karan Singh’s precise drumming and Kartik Pillai’s multi-instrumental prowess provided the perfect backdrop. The song’s lyrics, which explore the paradox of human nature and our reluctance to evolve despite the passage of time, resonated deeply with the crowd. As Sawhney crooned the chorus—“People never change, but the world keeps turning”—the theater seemed to pause, the weight of the words settling over the room.

The setlist flowed seamlessly from there, taking the audience on a journey through the band’s discography. Older tracks like “Floated By” and “Where the Money Flows” from Bismillah (2019) were met with cheers from longtime fans, while newer songs from BETA showcased the band’s continued evolution in sound and storytelling. Each song was an intricate mix of instrumentation—Pillai switching effortlessly between guitar, keyboards, and trumpet, while Rohit Gupta’s delicate keys and Dhruv Bhola’s basslines anchored the performance. The complexity of their arrangements added layers to the live experience, with each instrument taking on its own narrative role within the larger story of the night.

Visually, the concert was a feast for the senses. The lighting design was minimal yet impactful, with rich hues of purple, blue, and gold washing over the stage, reflecting the emotional tone of each song. At times, the band was shrouded in near darkness––with only streaks of light cutting through the shadows, giving the performance an almost cinematic feel. The visual elements complemented the music without overpowering it, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the sonic landscapes the band created.

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came during “Clown On The 22nd Floor,” a track that had earned the band a nomination for “Best Song” at the 2011 Jack Daniel’s Rock Awards. The song’s haunting melody and poignant lyrics seemed to capture the collective mood of the audience, who swayed in unison, lost in the music. Sawhney’s vocal delivery was raw and vulnerable, and when the trumpet solo cut through the air, the entire theater fell silent, as if collectively holding its breath.

Peter Cat Recording Co.’s ability to blend genres and defy expectations was on full display throughout the night. Tracks like “Copulations” and “I’m Home” showcased their cabaret and jazz influences, with rhythmic shifts that kept the audience on their toes. The band’s unconventional mix of musical styles felt like a celebration of diversity, not just in sound but in the cultural influences that shape their art. As a South Asian band breaking into the international music scene, their work challenges the Western-dominated narrative of indie music and highlights the importance of global voices in shaping contemporary soundscapes.

The Fox Theater itself added to the magic of the night. With its ornate architecture and opulent design, the venue offered a sense of grandeur that contrasted beautifully with the intimate nature of the performance. The theater’s acoustics enhanced the band’s sound, allowing every instrument to be heard with clarity while the basslines reverberated through the floor. There was a sense of connection between the band and the audience—each song was greeted with enthusiastic applause, and by the end of the night, it felt as though the entire room had experienced something deeply personal together.

In between songs, Sawhney engaged with the audience, sharing anecdotes and musings that further deepened the connection. He spoke briefly about the band’s journey from Delhi to international stages, reflecting on the challenges they faced as a band from India in an industry that often overlooks non-Western voices. His words echoed the themes of B-Side’s mission: to uplift marginalized voices and challenge the inequalities that exist within the music industry. Peter Cat Recording Co. embodies this mission, not just through their music but through their very existence as a band that refuses to be confined by geographical or cultural boundaries.

The concert reached its climax with “Suddenly,” a track from BETA,  which saw Sawhney, Pillai, and Bhola sharing vocal duties. The song’s lush harmonies and infectious rhythm had the audience dancing in the aisles, a perfect ending to a night of cathartic release. As the final chords rang out and the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted into applause, calling for an encore that the band was more than happy to provide.

In an era where live performances often rely heavily on spectacle and production value, Peter Cat Recording Co. reminded us of the power of music to move, to challenge, and to connect. Their October 6th performance at the Fox Theater was a testament to the transformative potential of live music—a night where sound, light, and emotion came together to create something unforgettable.

Article and photo by Heidy Barrera