2nd Day October fest was even better

Click here for the entire list of photos taken on day 2

"दर्द में भी यह लब मुस्कुरा जाते हैं...बीते लम्हें हमें जब भी याद आते हैं" - KK's intro song just takes the breath out of you...I am too impatient to keep this moment towards the end and so I am jumping the gun here...The day belonged to KK and though you cant really compare the performances of other bands on day 2 with KK, the show was just mind-blowing. His numbers included O humdum, Yaaron dosti, Tu hi Meri Shab, Kyun aaj Kal neend, Koi Kahe and the list runs into many of his other hits. These are so famous with his fans that they can sing if asked to do in the middle of the sleep. And indeed, the audience was playing chorus with all his songs and it felt really wonderful being there. His support artists were also good and I dont really seem to remember whether the sound system was all ok or not.

KK's program started exactly at 9pm and lasted for about an hour and 20-30 mins and amazingly there were no breaks and all his songs merged seamlessly into each other. Thats the beauty of his concerts and packs high intensity and keeps them flowing on and on and on...It was for a first time a hindi singer was called in for an October and KF didnt go wrong on the choice here...as they always have been.

After blowing up the suspense let me get back to things in chronological order, as they happened. Was late for today's show and missed out on Slain and Parachute IV. Was hearing them for the first time and hopefully they lived up to the reputation of the bands who have been coming here. Today's ticket and beer was sponsored by KF after I won a lucky dip in facebook and twitter. I took my roomie Surej for company. I was also thrilled to see Purnima after a long time and surprisingly found her very quickly in the crowd.That was when I was hearing Raghu Dixit for the first time. I was keen on his compositions esp since he has a humongous fan following here and he sings mostly in Kannada. Even by being a Kerala based band, Avial had a huge following across the country. I used to wonder how this could be possible. But all my doubts were laid to rest once Raghu took the center stage.
His music is so fresh and injects life into even the immovables around there. Your feet doesnt want to be on the ground and the hands want to reach out to the sky. With the beer flowing like water at the fest, almost everyone in the audience were literally flying. That's what you call nasha. I was there for only about half an hour of Raghu's music but it left a huge impression in me. Music really has no barriers..The language barrier just doesnt exist. This kind of music is for cultivating unity among people. Hats off Raghu and his team
Next on the side stage was Galeej Gurus. I have heard quite a bit about them but seeing them for the first time. They were an Indie group along with other genres like rock, funk and blues-rock (according to their myspace jottings). They too lived upto expectations. It was again a power packed event with Nathan Harris setting up the show with his excellent control of voice and the audience as well. The side stage gigs were really best suit for performances like these as I have been re-iterating again and again that they can connect with people easier.The audience was having a great time. I had recorded some videos, I will see if I can upload them. or else rush to the next event from these guys. Its really worth a visit to them.After Galeej had set the tone, it was KK setting up the inferno and since I have already spilled water over it, I am not re-igniting it here. Would definitely watch out for his next visit to Bangalore.After KK's, it was the finishing formalities excellently handled by DJ Clitus. People were all floating courtesy KF beer, and the DJ thumps had them all in the air. The side stage was cjam-packed with people and it really didnt matter who was dancing with whom or whether they followed any sort of rhythm. It was pure head-banging and jumping. We spent some time inside the action-packed floor and then made our way back.

Day 2 was definitely much bigger than the firat one owing to the fact that the artists were huge and it is a saturday night. People had come in huge numbers - young, old, babies, pregrant women, foreigners (not that they dont fall into the previous categories :-)). A much satisfying day and really hoping I could finish the formalities tomorrow for the final day's shows.

1st Day at October Fest - its rocking today

For a list of the entire collection of Photos - click here

A day to remember, with fond memories, good music, nice photo shoot - all courtesy October Fest 09, Bengaluru. Friday, as always wasn't much of an interest at the office and it was difficult pushing off the time during daytime. Also the restlessness was accelerated by the mega gig awaiting me in the evening. I got my bro's Nikon SLR cam and was excited beyond limits for trying it out. And to add glitter, Swarathma, a band that is showing up a lot more often in stage shows off late than ever before, is performing tonight. Also in line is Avial - the Mallu traditional, yet sophisticated band from the god's own country. A couple of others also lined up to fill the evening.I was accompanied by Rojen. We synced up in the evening and found ourselves at the venue well in time. After reaching there, we went around the place to check out what's in store for us the evening. Well KF is sponsoring the event and they are making the most out of it. Being a beer driniking fest, never-ending beer vending machines and the affluent Bangalore crowd ensured the beer counters are active through out. But unexpectedly, there wasn't the break-neck crowd, maybe because of it being a friday. But whats in a crowd if there arent enough chicks to check out. There were quite a few of them and KF ensured there are enough models parked around the place to keep the crowd busy in the counters. There were some games to keep people busy in between music events. Beer drinking competitions were also there but to qualify, one needs to have a substantial amount initially. So I kept a safe distance from entering that competition.

The Music part of it

October Fest for Bangaloreans is not only about KF displaying what its capable of (beer and girls:-)), its also about music from famed bands which are household names among the music loving community. There were two stages set up - one the main stage and another was a smaller one set alongside a cafe. People were asked to shuttle around as performances happened alternately when the other was getting ready for the next gig.
The first one that we witnessed was a thrash/heavy metal band - Inner Sanctum performing from the side stage. For me this kinda music sounded trash (not thrash) but today it was a little different. Though I couldnt figure out the lyrics, the overall presentation from the band was good. I am forced to rethink my 'trash'ing terminology. Maybe I should listen more to get used to this kinda genre. It was really interesting to see how much effort it is needed to present a concert of this style. The voice box of the leading vocalist seemed to be made of some sort of machine.

Next up was Swarathma. Well, they got a promotion of sorts and got to perform at the main stage today. They were slated to do it on the side stage. Having been to some of their previous performances at Opus restaurants, I had a homely feeling today. Knowing Jishnu personally helped a lot with this feeling.I liked their music but somehow today's audience was not receptive enough for the type of interactive music Swarathma does. The crowd in the restaurants were far more cooperative. But surprisingly, I never get bored of their music eventhough I am listening to the same collection again and again. The freshness is felt everytime..thats what makes a band successful in building up a devoted fan base.Time limited the performance to about an hour. its the same with everyone but I had listened to more from them and wanted the same. Maybe next time.

The attention diverted back to the side stage where Ministry of Blues were performing. Their's is a classic type of music belonging to the early half of the 20th century. The average age of the band was a little high compared to the other fresh bands out there. But amazingly the voice of Philip Hayden, the lead singer was the pick and kept me glued to the stage till the end of the show.
He also showed some amazing skill with the guitar and his accompanying artists were keeping up to their lead in all respects. The problem with an event of such big magnitude is none of the bands get a substantial chunk of time. By the time they build up a mood and create a rapport with the audience, they are forced to cut short. I used to feel playing at restaurants were a lowly affair but now feel that it is perhaps the best forms of expressing a band. It can instantaneously build a emotional connect with the audience. Concerts are best for the godly types like Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Scorpions. For budding bands a smaller audience is definitely the better option I guess.

Next on Main stage was the relatively mightier but equally milder in their songs - the band from Kerala - Avial. A traditional folk music blended into high energy and thought provoking styled music with heavy guitar and drums. Its very effective and the lyrics have some political and social connotations as well.

The stage choreographers may have reserved their best for the day for this group. Their kind of music also did a lot of justice to the stage settings. However, one thing I realized was that for a concert the sound system maynot be highly crucial. Today the vocals and guitars were almost inaudible but the group made up for it by making the audience sing along for most of the part. I was surprised to the huge Mallu gang which has come there.In fact, I was even surprised by the exposure which a band like Avial gets across India. Its surprising because the lyrics is only in Malayalam and if the listener cant connect with the lyrics, the effectiveness comes down heavily. I really wanted to be a part of a concert where I cant make out any of the lyrics (not the heavy metal kind, which I stand no chance of even getting closer to understand what they are screaming) and feel the experience.

It was definitely a treat for me given the fact that I could experiment quite a lot with the SLR and managed to get a good collection of photos. Live bands, beer, KF girls, Force India formula One car and Kingfisher written all over them...this is october fest day 1 for Bangloreans...Hope to make it to the second day as well. I had won a free entry pass by means of a Facebook contest. Hope to make use of it.

Oktober Fest '09

Whats making news this week? Is it Rahul Gandhi cycling in streets of Delhi? Is it elections in Maharashtra? Or the flunking response to the much awaited "Blue". Whatever...for Bangaloreans who eagerly await Guns'n'Roses' appearance next month, what better can come other than October Fest. 3 days of absolute maza and fun c/o Kingfisher (well you have to shell out 300bucks/day) but still.. For beer guzzlers with music as a weakness, this is the place to be. Hope they had a running track and we would have had the hashers thronging the beer counters too!! On the music side, this time lots of desi bands get exposure. For a list of all the bands look here http://www.theoctoberfest.in/index.php/music.

What interests me is Swarathma. They are opening for the famous band, Avial, from my home state. Avial has been in the big league for quite some time now with their "politically aware and ideologically driven" kinda music. I havent been on their concert, but definitely it cant dissappoint, that I am sure. Back to Swarathma, having been to a few of Swarathma's concert, I know its going to be really electrifying. I have seen them performing to much smaller crowds and it used to be a one-on-one sort where there was lot of interaction between the bandwalleh and the sunnewalleh. It keeps you glued to them. I had never liked the folk-type music before listening to their songs. But their on-stage presence and genuine renditions were definitely generating lots of interest in the audience. It will be interesting to watch them perform to a huge audience at the October fest tomorrow.

There are a handful of other performers at the fest during the weekend which include one of my favs - KK (dard mein bhi yeh dil muskura jaata hain), Mother Jane, Raghu Dixit, Indian Ocean and the list goes on. I wish I could be there for the whole 3 days but it all depends on how many of my friends I could convince to spend Rs 300 for a day. As far as beer is concerned I plan to stay as much away from it as possible :-), though tempted to try out KF's new offering Ultra. Wish I had a GF who doesnt mind me having a KF. Let us see