Vishal Dadlani has launched The Playlist, a new music discovery show open to independent artists across India making original, unreleased music. The show is open to songwriters, singers, producers, rappers and bands, with a record label deal and mentorship on offer for those selected. Submissions will be shot in Delhi between May and June 2026, with the show scheduled to begin June 15 at the Piano Man Jazz Club, Delhi, Dadalani mentioned in his Instagram post.
The Playlist builds on The Trial, a Mumbai-only showcase Dadlani ran as a proof of concept, expanding the format’s geography to artists nationwide. The first edition drew 400 submissions, from which 10 artists were selected to perform live. Two of them, Raiez Khan and Paritosh Pande, went on to earn slots at NH7 Weekender 2026, one of India’s most prominent independent music festivals. A second edition followed the same format, selecting another 10 artists from the same application pool.
Dadlani, who has judged Indian Idol since 2018, said he wants The Playlist to widen access to the industry. “I want to hear all your music. I want all of you to show up at your best. I hope we are going to change the game forever,” he said.
The announcement has drawn a wave of responses from independent artists since it went live, with the post gaining over 1,700 likes on Instagram.
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The Playlist
