Studio Monkey Shoulder is once again calling on grassroots music communities across India to apply for a £10,000 (approx. ₹11 lakh) grant to bring a bold music project to life — one that puts their scene on the global map.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, which supported DJ Delhi Sultanate in transporting the BFR Sound System across India and launching the Big Bang Festival — a two-day boutique music and culture celebration in the jungles of Assam — Studio Monkey Shoulder returns with a renewed mission. This year, it aims to spotlight and support the innovators of India’s grassroots music culture — from DIY music venues and indie record stores to community-run radio stations and creative collectives. These are the vital spaces where people come together to create, discover, and connect through music.
Partnering once again with the online radio station Worldwide FM and its founder, renowned DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson, Monkey Shoulder will award one Indian community the opportunity to receive funding, alongside global exposure through a dedicated film and radio series produced by Worldwide FM.
Gilles Peterson said, “I’m thrilled to see Studio Monkey Shoulder grow in its second year in partnership with Worldwide FM. It’s been a privilege to work with the communities we supported in 2024, seeing their projects thrive and come to life. I’m excited to uncover more amazing community-driven projects in India and witness the talent that comes with it as the project evolves in year two.”
