YouTube sensation Penn Masala will perform in Mumbai on May 20

Penn Masala will sing at a mall in Mumbai as part of their India tour, celebrating a new album and 10 years since they debuted as the world’s first south Asian A capella group.

A Celebration of Youth: Penn Masala -The Yuva Tour

When: May 20

Venue: Dublin Square, Phoenix MarketCity, Kurla

Cost: Rs 1,500 per head

Tickets available online

In 2007, Penn Masala, which calls itself the world’s first south Asian a cappella group, became a YouTube sensation with The Facebook Skit, a riff on Enrique Iglesias’ hero. In the years since, the band of 11 University of Pennsylvania students has released nine studio albums, performed for former US President Barack Obama, and received the 2015 American Music Award for the soundtrack of Pitch Perfect.

Yuva, their 10th studio album, marks the 10 years they’ve been around. They celebrate by touring eight Indian cities, including Mumbai.

“Yuva is different from our other albums in theme and experimentation,” says member Praveen Rajaguru. “It captures youth’s manifestations from innocence to independence. From the whistles in Baar Baar Dekho to the simplicity in Phir Le Aaya Dil, to Nashe Si Chadh Gayi /Hymn For The Weekend, we hope this album gives greater meaning to the versions of youth we all experience.”

Since their inception, Penn Masala has held open auditions every year to induct new students into the group. Curiously there have never been any women singers. Band member Hari Ravi says they started off as an all-male group by coincidence, but maintained it as a tradition. “From a musical standpoint, we’ve developed a core style through the male vocal register,” he says. “Incorporating female voices now presents a pretty big change and challenge. But we aren’t opposed to collaborations with female artists.”