Mumbai never holds back: Usha Uthup

She’s performed on stages across the globe, but for legendary singer Usha Uthup, there’s something undeniably magnetic about performing in Mumbai. “Yes, I’ve performed all over the world, but Mumbai audiences are truly special,” she says with her trademark warmth. “Like many of my audiences, they really know their music.”

What sets Mumbai apart, she says, is its incredible diversity. “The vibe completely depends on the venue,” she explains. “If I’m singing at Pizza by the Bay in Churchgate, it’s a relaxed, fun-loving crowd. At the NCPA, it’s a more formal, concert-style setting —so my repertoire shifts accordingly. And if I’m performing at a Ganesh Utsav, then it’s an entirely different energy and song selection altogether.”

From the elegant auditoriums to the vibrant street festivals, the city offers a spectrum of performance experiences that keep her artistry alive and ever-evolving. But it’s not just the venues—it’s the people. “No matter where I sing, be it the Kala Ghoda Festival or a local celebration, what I love is that Mumbai audiences never hold back,” she says. “They’re expressive, responsive, and always present in the moment. That honesty and openness is what makes performing here so thrilling.”