Immersive, intentional & intriguing: Delhi falls back in love with vinyl

Drawn by the warmth and texture of analogue sound, Delhi is witnessing a steady rise in vinyl enthusiasts. Listening sessions, often held at art spaces, cafes and vinyl bars, are becoming avenues to slow down, listen to complete albums, and discover music beyond algorithms and playlists, all in a shared setting.From Kishore Kumar and Pink Floyd to Peter Cat Recording Co, music lovers are embracing vinyl across genres as records spin on turntables.‘Vinyl brings back intentional listening’“Vinyl listening sessions bring back intentional listening,” says Kunal Singh Chhabra, founder of Genre, a vinyl bar in Delhi. “Listening has become this passive thing; it’s always on, always there, rarely given any real attention. Slow listening formats require more attention.

You have to sit with the sound, notice how the tracks are arranged, and enjoy. When that happens in a room with other people, it becomes something shared,” he says.Echoing the sentiment, Utkarsh J, a Delhi-based DJ, says, “It’s a mix of nostalgia and a genuine appreciation for the analogue experience. Vinyl offer a physical connection that streaming simply can’t replicate. In India, we are seeing records transition from being just a medium to being highly cherished collectibles.

The growing popularity of the sessions shows that the city is moving toward more intentional, curated, and culture-forward experiences.

”

Rohan Basu, a business analyst, who attended a recent session at Siyah Arthouse, says, “At these sessions, you listen to albums as complete works rather than individual tracks. It reminds you that music has structure, flow, and intention.” Nishant Mittal, music archivist and owner of vinyl record store Digging In India, believes that nostalgia isn’t the sole driver.

“It’s also about owning a beloved piece of music in your hand and the fact that a vinyl sounds much better, especially with a good sound system.

”

And we hit play...In an era dominated by algorithmic playlists, the narrative of an album is often lost. “Artists curate a specific storyline through their tracklists, but listeners usually only catch the radio hits,” says Utkarsh. He adds, “At sessions, we introduce the artiste’s background and play the ‘deep cuts’ that define the album’s soul.

This experience helps listeners identify the nuances that they might have missed.” Nishant, who opts to curate his set according to genres, says, “My sessions are usually not about just one album.

I curate sessions around broader themes, such as Indian jazz or the impact of disco on India’s musical landscape.”

DJ Akasha, who has been a vinyl collector for over 20 years, plays house music on wax in Delhi. "I started buying records because some music was only available on vinyl, especially when I got into house music.

House music is like a vast ocean, opening wide the door to musical worlds I have yet to reach. In the hope of sharing those experiences, I started playing my records."‘People want music that feels thought-through’Delhi has always celebrated a strong music culture, but Kunal feels the city often lacked space for slower, layered experiences. “For years, the options were clubs or concerts – both loud, intense, performance-driven.

There wasn’t space for anything slower or more layered. A vinyl bar changes what a music experience can be. I’ve seen is that the Delhi crowd is really receptive, but they need the right setting. Play a Nusrat track in a club or a car, and it might feel off.

But put it on vinyl in the right space and suddenly it clicks – it feels cool. People aren’t necessarily craving nostalgia or old formats. They want music that feels thought-through.”Devoshree Mukherjee, a professor, who often frequents vinyl listening sessions, says, “My journey with vinyl started with curiosity more than nostalgia. When I first attended a listening session, it felt like slowing down and actually being present with music.”

Navya Misran, co-founder of Kitaab Club, a book club that hosts literature-themed vinyl listening sessions, shares, "We wanted to curate an experience for people who are reading with us.

So, vinyl was a way to enhance an already analogue, community-focused experience. The record is chosen in a way that the book reading ends up becoming an entire experience of the novel. There is a chemistry between the record and the book.

In one particular meeting we were reading The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and the records that we chose for this were by Ella Fitzgerald and Roberta Flack. It is a great way to go completely analogue. We also make small information booklets so people can first read about the band or singer they are listening to, so they can appreciate the record, and listen intently."