Dr Palash Sen is looking forward to taking the stage with his band, Euphoria, at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender in Pune tonight. It’s also a milestone year as the band, credited for cult hits Kabhi Aana Tu Meri Gully, Dhoom Pichak and Maeri, turns 25.

Ask what makes them relevant even today and he is quick to say, “Honesty”. “I don’t sound like anybody else. The things I say on stage and the way Euphoria performs make us different. We might not be the greatest band in the world, but we’ve been honest to our craft and that’s what has kept us going.”

Over the last two decades, what kind of changes has he seen in the audience? Dr Sen says, “Unlike the past, the listeners have a lot of options today when it comes to music. So, it’s not easy to grab their attention.”

As he gears up for the 60-minute set, the singer talks about the freedom in performing live: “There are many good singers in our country. But, most are studio singers and their songs are high on production. When they perform live, the songs don’t have the same impact... This is why independent music is so important. An artiste can perform the way they want and sound the same on stage.”