Sometimes, the job is to create the vibe.

This past week, I played several sitar sets—mostly at a festival and one at a ticketed performance yesterday. Here’s what’s been working really well: going with the flow, listening to the audience, and following the energy of the room.

What Does It Mean to "Follow the Energy"?

The settings I've played in have been part performance, part social gathering. People are either lying down in a "cuddle puddle" or chilling with tea. They’re in the mood for good music, yes, but they’re also in the mood to connect and socialize. They want the music to create a backdrop but also want the option to tune in and listen whenever they wish. It’s not quite performance music, and it’s not quite background music—it’s vibe music.

Creating a musical atmosphere feels like adding a layer of color to the experience. Just like the white walls of a clinic feel sterile and cold, a scene without music feels off. There’s a discomfort in the pauses between conversations, a heightened awareness of others in the space. Music fills those gaps, flushing out sterility and putting people at ease—assuming that’s the vibe the musician aims to set.

Co-Creating the Space with the Audience

Several people asked if I was bothered by them talking over the music. They were courteous but unsure of whether they were fulfilling their responsibilities as respectful audience members. I assured them with a smile—my music coexists with their conversation. I’m listening to their moods, their tone, and the room’s energy, and I play accordingly. I might throw in a pause or shift the bass notes to freshen the sound and see if it shifts the listeners’ attention. If conversation levels rise, I might play more intensely to match. It’s a listening game above all else.

Adding Context Through Storytelling

Alongside vibe, there’s story and context. Recently, I’ve been flexing my skills in communicating with the audience. Between songs, I pause to join the conversation. I let them know the music is improvised, or that some pieces are my original compositions. I tell them I’m listening to their energy and co-creating with them. Sharing the context offers a bridge for the audience to connect with me and the music, and they often hear it differently as a result.

Experimenting with Co-Creation

I've also been experimenting with an improv-comedy-style technique where I ask the audience for moods or adjectives they want to hear in the next song. Bubbly, happy, sexy—whatever they suggest, I take on the challenge of bringing it to life through music. Afterward, I’ll ask them how it felt, if it met the mood they envisioned. These connections enrich the experience for everyone.

I am loving this approach to audience engagement. Breaking down the barrier between audience and performer feels incredibly rewarding.