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Fred again.. announced his first India tour through a multilingual newspaper campaign before revealing December performances in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. The announcement was accompanied by a hand-painted tour poster created by veteran Delhi sign painter Kafeel Ahmed Ansari, whose decades-long practice in cinema hoardings, shop signs, and public lettering brought a traditional Indian visual language to one of electronic music’s biggest international artists.
Fred again.. announced his first India tour with a newspaper campaign on the morning of June 23, readers opening editions of newspapers including Delhi Times, Mumbai Mirror, and Bangalore Times found full-page ads of just one word: ‘again’, translated into the local language. As images of the newspapers spread online, people began linking the teaser to Fred again.. Hours later, the British producer confirmed his first India tour, announcing performances in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Fred again.., whose real name is Frederick John Philip Gibson, has become one of electronic music's biggest names over the last few years through projects such as the 'Actual Life' albums and the 'USB' series. His music combines electronic production with voice notes, everyday recordings, piano, and a very masterful live instrumentation, especially with the drum machine, and his performances have earned a reputation for their improvised feel. A nine-time Grammy nominee, he has won one each for Actual Life 3 and for 'Rumble', his collaboration with Skrillex and Flowdan. Before announcing India, he completed major shows and residencies in cities including London and New York, making the three-city India run one of the few live tours on his calendar this year.
The tour poster was in fact. designed by the legendary Kafeel Ahmed Ansari, better known as Painter Kafeel, a veteran sign painter based in Matia Mahal near Delhi's Jama Masjid. For decades, he has painted shop signs, cinema hoardings, film posters, portraits, and public lettering by hand. His work includes painted publicity for classics such as 'Deewaar', 'Pakeezah', 'Mughal-e-Azam', and 'Ram Aur Shyam'. Originally from Azamgarh, he later settled in Delhi, where he built his career as a commercial painter. Through the HandPaintedType project, he also developed a Devanagari typeface based on his lettering, which has been licensed by companies including Google, Starbucks, and Forbes.
As more design and advertising work moves towards digital production, hand-painted lettering and traditional sign-painting have become increasingly rare. Collaborations like this give artists such as Painter Kafeel opportunities to continue practising their craft while bringing it into contemporary cultural conversations. They also introduce hand-painted typography to new audiences, who discover it through music, popular culture, and large public events, creating new visibility for a tradition that continues to be shaped by working artists.
Fred again.. will perform at Leisure Valley Ground in Delhi NCR on December 5, Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai on December 9, and NICE Grounds in Bengaluru on December 13, marking his first series performances in India. Presale tickets for the tour are currently sold out but the general public sale opens on July 3rd.
Follow Painter Kafeel here.
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