Prateek Kuhad will bring his burgeoning catalog of lovelorn folk to The Ford on Friday, July 26th. A breakthrough Indian artist whose every new release has only seemed to cultivate their list of global fans, you couldn’t ask for a better venue to see him perform at than the most intimate amphitheaters in Los Angeles. Tickets start at $27, but we’ll also run a giveaway for the concert. Subscribe to our newsletter to be one of the first to know when the giveaway drops!

This feature was produced by Sandra Burciaga Olinger, and written by David Sosa

Who is Prateek Kuhad?

Over the last few years, Jaipur-born indie-folk artist Prateek Kuhad has emerged as one of India’s most affecting and internationally felt singer-songwriters. His debut album In Tokens & Charms (2015) not only won him Best Indian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards but also a growing following that found themselves rightfully gripped by his music. Singing in both Hindi and English, Kuhad takes inspiration from the raw heart-on-the-sleeve honesty of Elliott Smith, delivering stripped-down folk that’s also informed by an adolescence spent exploring American pop sounds from Harry Belafonte to the Backstreet Boys.

Tender and stirring ballads that’ll leave you mesmerized and heartstricken

With comparisons to both Sufjan Stevens and Jose Gonzalez, the music of Kuhad is disarming in its articulations of love, yearning, and heartache. After leaning into the lilting folk of his first record, the cold/mess EP arrived to add a dreamy, gauzy atmosphere to his sparse soundscapes. Lending his already delicately piercing vocals, a radiant sense of ethereality. These are songs that reveal the extent of Kuhad’s ability to capture the internalized devastations of the heart through glowing ballads that dip in and out of indie-rock/pop. If you want to spend a night with a singer-songwriter who’ll leave you dually enchanted and gutted—look no further than Kuhad.

A talented troubadour whose sets always feel incredibly intimate

With three studio albums, Kuhad has proven himself a talented recording artist and performer. What shines through all his appearances on stage—whether he’s playing to massive crowds like those at Lollapalooza India or doing solo sets with Audiotree Live—is the ease with which Kuhad conjures this air of earnestly inviting intimacy through his presence. The mark of a truly great performer is their ability to engulf you in the emotional and lyrical atmosphere of their music is unparalleled. Even if you’re not entirely familiar with his songs or only know a handful—you’ll be permanent fans after one night.

Enjoy a Friday night at The Ford

We get it—going to a concert can be an exhausting experience—especially when it involves driving on the 101 freeway. A Friday night performance means all those millennials feeling the mileage of a youth riddled with shows will get the weekend to recover. You can either start your night off early or keep it going far later than you’re probably used to. Get that third round of beers, stay for that encore, and make the absolute most of this evening in one of the city’s most magical venues.

Bring a bottle of wine and snacks for a preshow picnic

With multiple picnic areas spread throughout The Ford’s grounds, we’d encourage you to bring your own food and drinks to the show. Just pack some light snacks, alcohol (a reminder that hard liquor is prohibited), and a blanket (for the picnic and when it gets chilly after sunset) and head to one of the six spots available to attendees.

Pro tip: if you’re looking for an excuse to bring an extra bottle of wine, remember that Go Metro (featuring a free shuttle service) and rideshare drop-off/pick-up are both excellent options if you don’t want to worry about driving.

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Grab your tickets to Prateek Kuhad and make sure you take a peak at the remaining shows for The Ford’s 2024 season. There are plenty of incredible performances coming up like Noche de Cumbia: Son Rompe Pera, Reyna Tropical, and Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto, Devendra Banhart, and WILLOW with Orchestra.