Arko Mukhaerjee and The Three Seas Light Up Sydney

It was a night where the borders between India and Australia seemed to dissolve, replaced by a vibrant, soulful exchange of rhythm and melody. For one special evening in Sydney, five prolific musicians took the stage together, creating a sound that was as unpredictable as it was electrifying.

At the heart of the performance was Arko Mukhaerjee, the internationally acclaimed Bengali folk musician whose voice and artistry have made him one of India’s most compelling interpreters of traditional music. Known across India and Nepal for his work in reviving and reimagining folk traditions, Mukhaerjee brought to Sydney a deep sense of cultural history and an unmistakable passion for storytelling through song.

Sharing the stage with him were four outstanding members of the acclaimed Indo-Australian ensemble The Three Seas: drummer Gaurab Chatterjee of Lakkhichhara fame, saxophonist Matt Keegan (The Whitlams, Donny Benet), guitarist Hilary Geddes (The Buoys, Underwards) and bassist Brendan Clark (Golden Strangers, Underwards). Although these musicians are used to performing as part of a larger ensemble, this stripped-back collaboration with Mukhaerjee offered audiences a rare chance to witness an intimate and spontaneous musical dialogue between friends and fellow innovators.

From the opening moments, the energy in the room was electric. Mukhaerjee’s rich vocals intertwined effortlessly with Keegan’s warm saxophone tones, while Geddes’ delicate guitar textures and Clark’s resonant bass lines created a lush foundation for Chatterjee’s intricate rhythmic drive. The result was a sound that moved fluidly between folk, jazz, and improvisation, constantly shifting shape but always anchored in deep emotional expression.

There were moments of quiet introspection, where Mukhaerjee’s voice carried the weight of generations of folk tradition, and moments of wild exuberance, as the ensemble built crescendos that had the audience swaying and clapping along. The musicians’ chemistry was undeniable, their communication on stage both intuitive and joyful.

For many in the crowd, this was a once-in-a-lifetime performance — a rare convergence of artists who, while coming from different traditions and continents, shared a common language in music. It was a celebration of connection, collaboration and creativity at its purest.

As the final notes faded, the audience rose to their feet, applauding not just the skill of the performers but the spirit of unity that the music had evoked. Arko Mukhaerjee and The Three Seas reminded everyone present that when artists from different worlds come together with open hearts, something truly magical happens.