Led by Goa-based singer-songwriter Kristian Bent, The Kristian Bent Band is a five-member roots-rock outfit at the forefront of India’s independent music scene. Along with Bent on vocals and guitar, the core lineup features Nevin D’mello on lead guitar, Sharang Nimbekar on rhythm guitar, Sahil Ghosh on bass, and Sreenath Srinivasan on drums. Together, they blend folk storytelling with a gritty, high-energy mix of blues and rock. Bent initially built his reputation through his early releases like Campfire Stories and Where the River Meets the Sea.
Their latest EP, Live at Hideaway, is a power-packed 5-song live release dropping worldwide on July 11th, 2026. Recorded during a live performance in March, the project was inspired by a desire to capture raw connection, sweat, and the high-volume energy of a live room exactly as it happened. Expect blues-soaked grooves and soaring rock hooks, mixed by Sunai Marathe to make you feel like you are standing dead-center in the crowd. The band even brought in guest musicians Nathaniel Nazareth on keys and Lester D’Souza on saxophone, to add brass-tinted textures to their foot-stomping music.
The EP opens with “It’s All Good (Live),” a soothing and grounding folk-country track. As soon as you hear Kristian Bent’s vocals, you sense his skill as a singer. His voice transports you to the quiet expanse of a lush countryside. Right around the three-minute mark, the track shifts gears, gliding into gritty, distorted guitars backed by an understated but driving drum groove. The lyrics are poetic, and the rich live production gives you the impression that the EP was put together with undeniable honesty.
The second track, “Don’t Give in to the Grey (Live),” begins with delicate fingerpicked lead guitar notes as the acoustics slowly chime in. It pulls you into an irresistible and immersive zone. While it builds slowly, there is never a dull moment; instead, it evokes the intimate feeling of watching the band perform late at night in a quiet Goan cafe. The second half, however, is where you get a true glimpse of what the band means by a “stadium-level experience.” The soundscape expands, becoming deeply atmospheric and filling the listener with a sense of hope.
The third track, “Sold My Soul (Live),” is a groovy and jazzy midnight track. Wait until you hear the saxophone to be truly mindblown. The arrangement is so masterful that the sheer musicianship will leave you impressed. It’s a fun, dynamic listen that guides you through a range of emotions. The performance feels world-class, with every band member bringing their A-game. The sound quality is so pristine you almost won’t believe it was recorded live, yet it flawlessly captures and delivers that raw authentic stage energy.
The fourth track, “That’s What She Does (Live),” opens with a hard-hitting energy. It carries the weight of an instant hit, blending a subtly funky groove with distinct indie rock and post-punk revival elements. A blistering lead guitar section in the middle kicks things up a notch. While the musical arrangement grows quite complex, the flawless execution and masterful live mixing keep the track grounded in a free-spirited and infectious mood. By the time it ends, you are left wishing it lasted just a little bit longer for the kind of atmosphere it creates.
The EP succeeds in making you feel like you are a part of the live audience. All the more evident in the closing track, “Rollercoaster (Live)” which is framed by the soft murmurs of the crowd and Kristian’s poetic lyrics. The song is light, fun, and undeniably foot-stomping. It carries a slightly festive atmosphere, with the arrangement creating a compelling urge to let loose and dance to its rhythm. The way the EP builds up to this final song feels like a purposeful journey; by the end, you are left feeling motivated, hopeful, and just a bit lighter and grounded in your body. That effect is exactly what the Kristian Bent Band is able to deliver; giving us all the more reason to keep them on our radar as we watch them evolve toward those stadium-grade performances they are fully capable of.
