India, June 7 -- Indian hard rock band Girish and The Chronicles (GATC) have become the first Indian rock outfit to make it to the next round of America's Got Talent (AGT). The four-member band from Sikkim performed a reverb-drenched cover of Adele's Set Fire to the Rain that left judge Simon Cowell visibly stunned and Mel B declaring it her favourite performance of the season. "For a rock band that started in Sikkim being seen and celebrated on such a massive global stage is both surreal and humbling. The Northeast has always had a deep-rooted appreciation for rock music. So when a platform like AGT shines a light on us, it naturally brings attention to the whole ecosystem. We started GATC at a time when everyone was chasing newer subgenres in India, but we stuck with the sound we loved - classic hard rock. That choice set us apart, and maybe that's what made moments like this possible. So yes, the spotlight does feel more intense - but it also feels like a celebration of staying true to who we are, and where we come from," says vocalist Girish Pradhan. Ask if they saw it coming, and bassist Yogesh Pradhan adds: "Seeing Steel Panther on AGT a couple of years ago definitely planted the seed in our minds, but we didn't expect it. It all began with a message on Girish's Insta from one of the producers of AGT. They had come across a soundcheck reel he posted from a performance, and it struck a chord." Sharing how making it to the next round of AGT felt like, guitarist Suraz Karki says, "It's one of the biggest stages in the world, and when the opportunity came along, it felt like the right time to bring our music to a broader audience. Standing there, playing our hearts out in front of the judges - Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Mel B and Howie Mandel - it was nothing short of a pinch-me moment for us." So how are they prepping for their journey ahead on AGT? "Our aim is to be ourselves and express that authentically. At the same time, we're working behind the scenes to stay ready for whatever this journey has in store for us. Maintaining that balance will help us give our all," says drummer Nagen Sarki. Meanwhile, dancer Binita Chetry, 9, from Assam became the first Indian to reach Britain's Got Talent finals recently. Mention how the Northeast seems to be on a roll, and Girish says, "It's amazing to see artistes like Binita and now us making it to such big global platforms. It's a proud moment, not just for the region, but the entire country. It shows the world that India is bursting with creativity and passion."...