The aim of The Hope Circuit is dual-faceted. It's to firstly give corporate bands the limelight they deserve," says musician Howard Pereira, the man behind the initiative, "and also, the audience gets a makeover. The people who work with the band, might not be the usual club-going lot, and they are coming out to watch the band." The deal: A corporate band opens for a well-established one at Hard Rock Cafe every month. The end product is, as Pereira states, a win-win situation for both bands on stage.

And so, The Hope Circuit takes the corporate band out of the corporate space. "I had tried to do this a few years ago as well. And I realised there were so many bands — the numbers were staggering. So, it didn't work out then in terms of logistics. But, this time around, we have made it work. If a band thinks they are experienced enough, and can entertain a Hard Rock crowd, they can get in touch with me. Right now, it's only happening in Bombay, but since Hard Rock is on board, we will take it pan India," The bands that play are from all corporate sectors, banking being the most popular one. Most have learnt music growing up and gave it for many reasons, monetary being the primary.