Afro-Caribbean beats and multilingual melodies unite city's music lovers

On Sunday evening, the city’s rhythm found a new pulse. As part of the Fête de la Musique celebration, hosted by Alliance Française de Pune and Goethe Institut Max Mueller Bhavan Pune, acclaimed French artist David Walters turned a popular watering hole in the heart of the city into a hotspot for lovers of world music.


The celebration started with some stellar open-mic performances by the students of Alliance Francaise de Pune, followed by musical performances by youngsters including Saket Dhekane, Vinay Kaushal and Shivangi Kale. The highlight of the night was when Walters and his band made their way to the stage.


The musician brought a blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, French lyrics and soul-funk energy that had the audience swaying, clapping, and singing along. The crowd was as interactive as the setlist, all united by music. From groovy dance numbers to acoustic interludes, each track carried a story, a heartbeat, and a memory.


A peak moment from the performance came when Walters sang from amid the crowd. As the final notes rang out and the night drew to a close, there was a lingering sense of something special. “The evening felt like a shared celebration of heritage, harmony, and hope," said those who attended the performance.