The Sound of Belagavi: Mihir Herekar’s Lollipop & Co.

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Meet Mihir Herekar, a twenty-something lad from Belagavi who compiles music simply because he loves it—and people love what he creates. He understands how music feels when it comes together, and that instinct is his greatest strength.

Educated at St. Paul’s School and later at CBALC, Mihir began dabbling with music during his school days, casually experimenting with friends. In college, this passion found a new expression when he started organising after-parties for friends at popular restaurants. What began as informal gatherings slowly evolved into thoughtfully curated musical experiences.

Around the same time that Mihir was contemplating to dabble in music events, Siddhant Angadi of Hotbox Entertainment, who curates parties himself, emerged as a mentor. Mihir reached out to him, and Siddhant’s guidance helped shape Mihir’s vision. From these influences was born Lollipop & Co., fondly called LoCo—which quite fittingly means “insane” in Spanish.
What Mihir Does

At its core, Lollipop & Co. curates musical experiences that leave behind lasting memories. Mihir doesn’t limit himself to EDM alone. Instead, he explores a wide spectrum of global musical genres—popular, niche, experimental, and rare—crafted for a discerning audience that truly appreciates music.

Their gigs are hosted at premium venues such as Regenta, Marriott, and Irish House. Each event begins with selecting a suitable date, followed by choosing artists based on the genre they wish to explore. While many performers are talented musicians from Belagavi, artists are also invited from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Goa, and Kolhapur.

This is where Mihir’s most creative work begins. He meticulously compiles, mixes, and reorganises playlists to suit the vibe of each event. What once started with a basic laptop and simple software has now evolved into the use of advanced music technology for a richer final output. The sound he creates is the reason crowds return—every single time.

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On average, an event attracts around 150 guests, and special occasions like Diwali or New Year’s Eve can draw crowds of up to 600. Attendees travel not just from Belagavi, but also from nearby cities such as Hubli–Dharwad and Kolhapur. What’s notable is the diversity—people of all ages come together purely for the music and the vibe. While Lollipop & Co. initially hosted two events a month, they are now more thoughtfully spaced to maintain quality and anticipation.

How the Parties Are Organised
There are no advertisements and no loud publicity campaigns. A single, formal announcement on their Instagram handle @ lollipopnco is enough to send ticket bookings into a frenzy. Entry fees are kept reasonable, reinforcing the idea that these events are about music, not exclusivity.

The parties typically run from 7 pm and follow a well-curated flow:
• An opening act of about an hour and a half, usually featuring an upcoming artist
• A headliner, the invited guest musician
• A closing act that winds the night down

These artists are skilled at using consoles with recorded music—scratching, cueing, and mixing live—ensuring that no two events ever feel the same. Local talents such as Prithvi Shetty, Crazy Flow, and Peculiar Beats are regular contributors to these nights.
Adding to the experience are thoughtful elements like photo booths, glitter face art by makeup artists, raffles, and a red-carpet paparazzi-style entry, all of which elevate the evening beyond just music.

The Team Behind LoCo
Mihir is joined by his partner Eashan Nalawade , and together they run Lollipop & Co. seamlessly. While Mihir focuses on music curation and event design, Ishan efficiently handles operations and logistics. They frequently collaborate with other event companies, musicians, bands, and artists to deliver a truly wholesome, immersive experience.
In a city that is steadily discovering its cultural rhythm, Lollipop & Co. stands out—not for noise, but for nuance; not for hype, but for heart. And it is just music that brings them all together.
@lollipopnco

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