Listicle: 10 bands from the ’90s that we hope to see at an Indian gig

The OG ’90s popstar first performed as an opening act for NSYNC before she debuted solo in 1999, with the ...Baby One More Time Tour. Plus Britney: Piece of Me, the Las Vegas residency she launched in 2013 literally jumpstarted the pop-gig scene in LA. A Britney show means tough choreography, stunts and lyrics we know. So why not?

Concert veterans say that JT’s shows are not concerts, they’re dance marathons. He’s more than a boy-band headliner. His 20/20 Experience World Tour was the second highest-grossing of 2014. He hasn’t toured since Man of the Woods (2018-2019) and has cancelled performances in response to ex-Britney Spears’ upcoming book. Cry Me a River, Justin, and just perform.

Fergie left in 2018. The band replaced her with J. Rey Soul. The recipe isn’t working so well for the Peas. But the gigs are still high on energy and all those sing-along anthems (Let’s get It Started, Where Is the Love?) And Willi.i.am is on fire with his rap. The group tours Japan at the end of January. They play Serbia in July. Serbia. Surely, India has enough fans for a Peas party?

Pop’s emo queen got a makeover with Girlfriend in 2007. Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated? But all-new Lavigne has had some great shows with Olivia Rodrigo (Complicated) in Toronto, Canada. She was also at the Shania Twain tribute at the 2022 ACM Honors, bringing an original punk-infused set list. She tours Europe this summer. We’d love to see her in India.

Was Fallen your album for getting over a break-up too? Evanescence’s goth vibe lasted years. Amy Lee was queen. Her vocal range is made for live concerts. Last year marked 20 years of their debut, Fallen. They toured Australia and will be live in July in Italy. “You still have all of me”, say Indian goth-rock-punk-pop hopefuls.

Firstly, Chad Kroeger is not dead. Last week’s rumour was a hoax. For ’90s kids, this is as rock as it got. So even as they play in Europe later in the year, there probably won’t be a mosh pit – just a bunch of men in their 30s and 40s singing along to each riff with precision. We’ll take it. We’re “Never Gonna Be Alone” as long as Nickelback’s around.

It’s the year of Oasis. Their 1994 debut album, Definitely Maybe, is 30. The band is all set to tour. It’s not the reunion fans have been waiting 14 years for. Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher split in 2009; and only Liam Gallagher is touring. Concerts have changed since their last tour, Dig Out Your Soul. But after all, they’re still our Wonderwall.

I don’t want a lot for Christmas. But we want Mariah and her five-octave range all year, and in India. Mariah’s love ballads are perfect for a date or a girls’ night out. At a Hollywood Bowl gig in November, she even mopped the floor mid-performance when it got too greasy. The 17,000 fans loved it. She performed in Abu Dhabi last weekend. India is just a quick detour, Mariah!

She performed in India in 2018. But that was at Isha Ambani’s wedding. On last year’s Renaissance Tour, Bey got fans to dress in silver and chrome to match the visual theme. At gigs, there’s an unofficial competition when she performs Energy. Fans try to stay silent before the words “Big energy!” Some crowds manage it too. And, if gigs are delayed, as one was in Washington DC, Bey even pays the Metro service to ply longer so women reach home safe.

We need a reunion. The five girls who won Channel [V]’s Popstars competition released two albums before breaking up in 2003. There’s no rumour of a comeback gig. But they did have a mini reunion during the lockdown, even posting a video singing their original, Jaago Zara. Fans of Channel [V], the band, the show, the music, went nuts sharing it.