20th November 2011, Sunday
Arrive to catch the tail ends of the jumpy Swarathma act, as they spruce up the darkening evening. Then sample the Dub Station stage where a reggae punk band is insanely loud, for some reason. As for getting used to Bhayanak Maut’s heavy metal, loud snarl act at the Bacardi stage - that would be for the time when we go a little deaf from their continued ear hammering. If that is music, it must be strictly for those looking for alternatives for the punching bag or for those seeking catharsis in one prolonged spell.
So we are back at the Dewarists stage, which is, by the way, a whisky brand (Dewar’s), the Dewarists definition on the TV series is more of a brand creation then. We return midway Zero, a very jazz inspired act that had a reunion routine in NH7 2010, when they were supposed to be officially disbanded. They are good. This is followed by Papon and the East India Company, who apart from their Assame folk-electro, get through a pro-drug song Banao Banao, the same that featured in this year’s Hindi film Soundtrack.
“India’s biggest band,” may be an apt title for Indian Ocean, ‘sublime’ suits them better. Getting used to Himanshu Joshi’s vocals on Bandeh and Kandisa is an adjustment, so used as we are to the late Asheem Chakraborty’s baritone in the same spaces. If comparisons are unfair, Joshi does dazzle in the work done with the new set up (Now included in the double CD album - 16/330 Khajoor Road). Tuheen Chakravarty on the tabla is a confident, assured artist as Ma Rewa and an instrumental piece is spectacularly played out.
As for the farewell, at the All Stars stage, English pop covers are blended well with Indian sounds. The end more frenzy than music, but that much deviation is forgiven, when NH7 is probably the only large scale festival for alternate music in a Hindi film music doused world.
It was a well arranged festival minus hassles, some expensive food, tattoos, merchandise, mostly guitar-lead acts, some rare soft soothing stuff, and speakers - sans a sensible volume control. It also had us, a crowd that knew their bands, and a section among them who were eager to dance to everything.
It was a well arranged festival minus hassles, some expensive food, tattoos, merchandise, mostly guitar-lead acts, some rare soft soothing stuff, and speakers - sans a sensible volume control. It also had us, a crowd that knew their bands, and a section among them who were eager to dance to everything.
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