Channel V launchpad: Bringing Indian Indie Onto Our Tv Screens

While most people remember Channel V for giving us Aasma and Viva, India’s first two pop groups which were found through Coke V popstars, an Indian idol like reality show. Most metalheads, rock lovers and fans of indie music have fond memories of the show that put rock, metal and independent music in general some long awaited mainstream attention.

Channel V launchpad was a reality tv show like Coke V popstars but for bands. The main judge on the show was Vishal Dadlani, with Farhad Wadia, Amit Saigal, Gino Banks, Monica Dogra and many others featuring in subsequent seasons. Unlike most reality shows, Launchpad was open to all genres of music especially encouraging rock and metal, with bands like Bhayanak Maut, Them Clones, Demonic Resurrection, The Superfuzz, Decibel and Cassini’s division being featured on the show quite frequently.

The show played a major role in bringing independent music into the public eye. they were intense discussions on online forums on who would win the finale, which would be a massive live concert, whose turnout would be double than that of regular live shows. Even though the show lasted for a short while, it is still fondly remembered by its fans.

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