Drummer, composer and music educator Tarun Balani’s music listening session for the launch of his vinyl, The Shape of Things to Come, at G5A Foundation in April was full to the brim. The fact that it was a paid event didn’t deter audiences, who wanted to attend an intimate event where like minded people come together, ideally in a calming environment, and listen to music.

Music listening sessions, according to Gaurav, drummer of Bengaluru-based hard rock band Diarchy, are predominantly of three types. “If we throw the term listening session to anybody in the [music] scene, the first thing we understand is that this is probably an album listening session or a party, where the focus would be promotion,” he says. The second type would be a bunch of friends getting together at someone’s home and having themed listening sessions such as blues nights, rock, ’70s music, etc. The third that has gained prominence, especially during the pandemic, are online listening sessions on platforms like Discord and Clubhouse. Bands, musicians and music publications are usually the ones who host such rooms. “The listening session there would be a curated playlist from a particular artiste or a curated playlist on a certain theme,” says Gaurav.