There is no dearth of live music performances in Mumbai and Zenzi Mill’s new concert series, Union@Mills, may not seem path-breaking. After all, with places like Blue Frog, Hard Rock Café, Shiro, Firangi Paani and Not Just Jazz by the Bay bringing down a wide selection of Indian and international artistes, Union@Mills would seem like just one more addition to the live-music lover’s weekend calendar.

However, Kris Correya, resident DJ at Zenzi Mills, assures us, this is not the case. “This isn’t just another series of concerts. It’s meant to be more of an interaction between Indian and international artistes, for them to exchange ideas and come up with fruitful collaborations.”

Union@mills is being promoted as a chance for local artistes and producers to network and build contacts internationally. “Indian musicians are doing a lot of good work and they deserve to have their work internationally recognised. So when they meet and network with their counterparts from around the world, they can gain from their experience,” says Correya. The series has already had two performances with Bangalore-based DJ Vachan Chinappa and UK-based electronic music duo, Audiojack. Both sessions were appreciated by those clued into the club music scene. “We didn’t want the DJs to be on a stage and the audience looking up at them. We were aiming at an interactive, intimate affair which was more of a learning experience, than a performance and luckily we were able to achieve that,” says Correya.

The concept tied in neatly with the DJ’s long cherished idea of creating a platform to promote more non-mainstream music in Zenzi Mills and to attract a crowd with a more cerebral and inquisitive bend towards music. Exclusivity, in a sense, is key to understanding what sets Union@Mills apart from other live music performances in the city. Which is why, not just anyone can make the cut. Correya has been in talks with agencies around the world and he only wants to shortlist artistes who’re still musically relevant in their home countries. Before each gig, they’ll have a chance to meet and talk shop with a few carefully selected local talent and producers.

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